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Complete Guide to Percocet Rehab

Taking Back Control with Percocet Rehabilitation

Maybe you’re addicted to Percocet, either because it happened by accident, or because you have been abusing it knowingly. Either way, if you want to stop using this drug, it’s so important to do it in the safest way possible.

That’s where Percocet rehabilitation comes in. These programs are designed to give patients the absolute best chance of getting back control over their lives after a Percocet addiction.

But what’s involved? And what can you expect along the way?

This comprehensive guide to Percocet rehab takes you through the process – from start to finish.

Percocet Addiction Information

Recovery Step #1: Percocet Detoxification

For the overwhelming majority of Percocet addicts, a successful recovery plan is going to begin with professional detoxification.

This is the first stage of getting clean, and it's focused on helping users push through the uncomfortable symptoms of withdrawal.

Detox is usually the phase that many users end up relapsing during. For many, the symptoms of withdrawal can end up being so unbearable that they end up turning back to using just to get some kind of relief.

A professional detox program will help prevent these relapses while also making the withdrawal process much more comfortable and, ultimately, easier to push through.

Over the course of an addiction, the body becomes highly accustomed to having the addictive substance inside the system. And since the body is always pushing towards a state of homeostasis or balance, it begins to compensate for the presence of this addictive substance.

Drugs that cause a rush of the “feel-good” chemical dopamine, for example, may cause the body to stop producing dopamine on its own when used for too long.

Opioids are the same way. When they’re heavily used, they force these changes in the body so that more of the drugs need to be taken to create the same effects. This is what’s known as tolerance.

With opioids, tolerance develops especially quickly.

And since tolerance is caused by real physical changes in the body, when opioids are removed from a user’s routine, those changes make it hard for the body to function normally without the drug.

As a result, the addict is hurled into an especially uncomfortable state known as withdrawal. They will experience a range of both physical and psychological symptoms, many of which can be incredibly distressing.

Is Professional Detoxification Necessary?

For many Percocet addicts, detox is highly recommended.

Part of the reason for this is because the withdrawal process for opioids in particular is so excruciating at times that many users won’t be able to get clean on their own.

As a result, many Percocet abusers will try to quit, only to relapse back into using just days or weeks later.

And as this cycle continues, the risk of serious damage to nearly every aspect of your life grows higher and higher.

But on top of that, there are three main reasons why a professional detox program is absolutely necessary.

  1. These programs can prevent and treat serious complications during withdrawal, some of which can actually be deadly.
  2. They safeguard patients from relapsing, which is especially dangerous when it comes to opioids like Percocet.
  3. They are able to make withdrawals far easier to handle, thus increasing the chances of long-term sobriety.

We’ll get into #3 in a bit. But for now, let’s look at the other two reasons why a detox program is especially important.

One of the main functions of a professional detoxification program is to protect patients from the various and dangerous complications that can crop up during withdrawal.

With most types of drugs, the withdrawal symptoms are not directly fatal. Alcohol and benzodiazepines are the exceptions here, as they can cause tonic-clonic seizures that can in fact result in death.

With opioids though, the withdrawals are not deadly by themselves.

However, this does not mean that withdrawal is not deadly. And in fact, there are many dangerous complications that can and do develop when trying to detox without professional help.

Below are some of the most common, along with the dangerous conditions that can result from them.

  • Malnutrition (seizures, shock, coma
  • Dehydration (hypothermia, respiratory tract infections, convulsions)
  • Heart palpitations (heart attack, stroke, high blood pressure)
  • Uncontrollable vomiting (aspiration, pneumonia, choking, acute respiratory failure)
  • Mental disturbances (harm to others or self, suicide)

A professional Percocet detoxification program can help prevent these complications entirely. And since these programs are usually staffed by licensed medical professionals, they can also treat these complications should they arise.

Another serious danger of trying to get clean of a Percocet addiction without professional help is the risk of relapsing.

Now, with any drug a relapse is going to be a bump along the road to sobriety. For some, it might be a small bump, and for others, it could lead to years more of being an active user. But for opioids in particular, the danger of overdosing because of a relapse is far higher than normal.

To explain, opioids like Percocet are particularly good at building up physical tolerance in abusers. Some studies have even found that patients can develop tolerance to high dose opioids in as little as a few hours. And because of this tolerance, that means that addicts will have to take more and more of the drug in order to feel the high they’re looking for.

But opioid abusers also tend to lose their tolerance quicker than they’d expect too. And in just a matter of weeks or even days, a heavy user may have a radically lower tolerance than before.

The problem, then, comes from the fact that relapse is a very real danger for many opioid addicts since the withdrawal process is so hard. And if a Percocet abuser relapses and decides to use the same dose that got them high before, their body may not be able to handle that old go-to dose.

And consequently, that single relapse can lead to an accidental yet fatal overdose.

A professional program not only helps prevent relapse but also educates patients on the dangers of overdosing during relapse.

What Is Percocet Withdrawal Like?

Like other opioids, Percocet withdrawal is going to be tough. It usually brings on a smattering of debilitating physical symptoms like vomiting, diarrhea, and muscle aches. And as far as the brain goes, depression, anxiety, and insomnia are all par for the course.

It’s these symptoms that often lead opioid abusers to relapse not long after trying to quit on their own, thus restarting the cycle of addiction all over again.

Here are a few firsthand experiences to give you an idea of what withdrawing from opioids like Percocet is like.

“hydro is harder to come of off. I was literally wanting to pull my hair out at night because I couldn't sleep and the restlessness and insomnia was the worst”

“The worst physical symptoms for me were the constant diarrhea, and especially the restless legs, which made it impossible to sleep during this time. Nothing more than a hour or two at a time, and they were these restless, feverish naps that were nothing like the solid, restful sleep I was desperate for.”

Recovering from a Percocet addiction means stopping the medication completely. However, this should never be attempted on your own, outside of medical supervision. Doing so can result in serious withdrawal symptoms that are difficult to manage on your own.

Some examples of common opioid withdrawal symptoms include:

  • Difficulty sleeping at night
  • Having an almost constant runny nose
  • Aches and pains in your muscles
  • Onset of restless legs
  • Stomach cramps, nausea or vomiting
  • Agitation and irritability
  • Excessive yawning
  • Onset of diarrhea
  • Hot or cold sweats
  • Tearing of the eyes
  • Muscle aches and pains

These and other withdrawal symptoms usually cause people to go back to using opioid drugs. They don’t know the proper way to relieve them otherwise.

Going to a Percocet detox facility can help you by protecting you from relapsing and possibly overdosing. It can also provide you with relief for these uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms. This gives you a much better chance of being successful in your recovery.

The withdrawal timeline for Percocet is going to vary from individual to individual. Factors like unique genes and physiology, addiction severity and duration, and access to professional support will all come into play.

As a result, it can be hard to pinpoint exactly how long a person’s withdrawal will last.

However, just like other opioids, Percocet withdrawal breaks down into two phases, each with their own unique symptoms. According to MedlinePlus, these phases are as follows:

Early symptoms of withdrawal include:

  • Agitation
  • Anxiety
  • Muscle aches
  • Increased tearing
  • Insomnia
  • Runny nose
  • Sweating
  • Yawning

Late symptoms of withdrawal include:

  • Abdominal cramping
  • Diarrhea
  • Dilated pupils
  • Goose bumps
  • Nausea
  • Vomiting

Usually, the specific timeframe for detoxing from Percocet looks similar to this:

  • Day 1: Your early symptoms will begin within the first 12 to 24 hours. This is based on the amount of time Percocet stays in your system. At first, they should be fairly mild and easy for you to manage without much assistance.
  • Day 2: Your withdrawals will start to become worse. You may notice new symptoms that you didn’t have the day before.
  • Day 3: You will be approaching the peak of withdrawal by this point. You may have all of the common detox symptoms and feel very uncomfortable.
  • Days 4-5: Your symptoms will begin to improve. Some will disappear completely, whereas others will still be there, but they’ll be less bothersome.
  • Days 6-7: More symptoms will resolve and you’ll start to feel like yourself again. However, you may still have periods of time when they become worse, or reappear.

What is Detox Going to be Like?

People frequently ask, what’s it like to detox from Percocet? You might be wondering the same thing. You should know that it won’t be easy. You may have spent many years being dependent on this drug, and it’s hard when you stop taking it. However, when you go to a pain medication detox, many of your symptoms can be controlled. You might even find that you don’t experience a lot of the ones on the above list.

Percocet Addiction Information

That’s because a professional Percocet detox program has two major goals for every patient: to keep them comfortable and to keep them safe.

And since these programs are typically staffed by licensed professionals, they’ve had plenty of experience developing the absolute best ways of achieving both of these goals.

In the end, detoxing at home is possible, sure. It can be incredibly dangerous and especially uncomfortable, but it is possible. But with a professional program, the odds of pushing through withdrawals and moving on to the next stage of addiction treatment are far more likely than trying to get clean on your own.

The good news is that by going through Percocet detoxification, you can get help for your withdrawals. There are many different ways to treat your symptoms. Your doctor will talk with you about the methods that are right for you.

Many patients are placed on medication assisted treatment or MAT. This means that you will be given medicine to reduce the severity of your withdrawal symptoms. A medically assisted detox is usually very important for people with this type of addiction. At first, you may be weaned off the Percocet slowly. Afterwards, you may be started on a drug like Suboxone or Vivitrol.

You may also experience non-medical detox treatments. This will most likely involve meeting with a nutritionist to make some changes in your diet. Many people incorporate a new physical fitness routine into their daily regimens as well. The goal will be to address your overall health and wellness. This allows your body to better process the toxins related to your Percocet use.

A Closer Look At Medication-Assisted Treatments

The medical detoxification approach involves using medications to help treat or even prevent the uncomfortable withdrawals associated with Percocet detoxification.

These programs will also likely take advantage of holistic treatments as well, including nutrition-rich meal plans, exercise, and other alternative therapies. However, the bulk of the treatment protocols will rely on both prescription and over-the-counter drugs to treat the symptoms of Percocet withdrawal.

Some of the most common medications used include:

Prescription

Over-The-Counter

  • Imodium for diarrhea
  • Dramamine for nausea
  • Benadryl for insomnia and/or nausea
  • Tylenol and ibuprofen for muscle aches
  • Sleep aids
  • Supplements like l-tyrosine, zinc, phosphorus, magnesium, potassium, copper, and vitamin B6 to help support the body

However, there are a number of other medications specifically designed to help treat opioid withdrawal. These medications are called Opioid Replacement Therapies or ORTS, meaning that they all interact specifically with the opioid receptors in the body.

The three most useful ORTs today are methadone, buprenorphine, and naltrexone.

This ORT has been used for decades to help treat the excruciating symptoms of opioid withdrawal. Like other ORTs, methadone latches on to opioid receptors throughout the body and the brain. Once the connection is made, it stimulates these receptors to a small degree and over a long period of time.

The effect of methadone is far milder than other opioids and does not result in the euphoria of abusing other drugs like Percocet. However, it is powerful enough to reduce or even eliminate withdrawal symptoms altogether.

Plus, methadone can also block off these receptors, meaning that if a recovering addict relapses, they may not be able to experience the high they’re after.

Methadone can only be dispensed in certified facilities though, making it hard for some patients to get treatment every single day. It can also be habit-forming too.

Widely considered to be the new poster child for ORTs, buprenorphine is a medication that stimulates the opioid receptors to remove withdrawals and cravings just like methadone. However, there are a few differences that make this medication more highly favored by addiction professionals.

First, buprenorphine has what's known as a "ceiling effect." This means that after a certain dosage, taking even more buprenorphine won't create a more intense effect. This, of course, can dramatically reduce the risk of abuse.

Buprenorphine can also be prescribed and taken at home in some cases. And that can make it far easier for patients to fit their dose into their schedule, leading to higher rates of proper use – ultimately translating into more successful recoveries.

Like any other drug that actually stimulates the opioid receptors though, buprenorphine can be addictive in some cases.

Finally, there’s naltrexone. And unlike the other two ORTs, this drug doesn’t actually stimulate the opioid receptors in the brain and body. Instead, it simply blocks off these receptors entirely.

The benefit of this characteristic is that patients who relapse won’t be able to experience any of the desirable effects, thus removing the incentive to use again. On top of that, naltrexone can also help reduce cravings substantially.

The other two ORTs have a similar effect, though not nearly to the same degree as naltrexone.

Naltrexone can also be administered in the form of an injection just once a month. This practically removes patient responsibility to follow treatment protocol. This form of naltrexone is called Vivitrol.

Studies have shown that Vivitrol is actually just as effective as Suboxone at promoting long-term recovery.

The only problem, though, is that naltrexone can only be used after withdrawal. And that means that patients have to be able to get through this excruciating stage before using it.

Recovery Step #2: Percocet Rehabilitation

After detoxification comes Percocet rehab. And even though the withdrawal process can be brutal for this drug, this phase is often when the real work begins.

That’s because while detox treats the physical side of dependency, rehabilitation is more concerned with the mental side. And that means reversing behaviors and modes of thinking that are deeply ingrained into daily routines, perceptions of reality, and even ideas about who you are as a person.

It’s for this reason that most rehabilitation programs are much longer than detox ones (usually around 30-90 days compared to about 7-14). There’s simply more work that needs to be done.

And while withdrawals may still be present in some users (mostly in the form of cravings), the main concern is changing a user’s relationship with addiction.

Yes, it is. Even more so than professional detoxification programs.

That’s because rehab gets to the underlying cause of an addiction. And when this underlying problem isn’t addressed, it means the addict will likely keep on returning to substance abuse time and time again – even if the physical side is overcome with detoxification.

In fact, the National Institute on Drug Abuse bluntly states that rehab is a critical part of any recovery program. It says:

medical detoxification is only the first stage of addiction treatment and by itself does little to change long-term drug use.”

Without the help of a rehabilitation program, then, detoxification doesn’t really do any good to ensure long-term sobriety.

Is rehabilitation necessary, then? Yes, it certainly is.

In order to treat the underlying compulsive behaviors of an addiction, a Percocet rehabilitation program will likely employ the use of several different kinds of treatments. The three most common found in most programs are one-on-one counseling, group talk sessions, and behavioral therapies

One-on-One Counseling – This type of therapy will likely be a major part of most treatment plans. By talking individually with a counselor, patients will be able to analyze their personal reasons for their Percocet abuse. Maybe they’re self-medicating an underlying mental disorder. Or they could have a hard time dealing with the normal day-to-day stresses of life. Or maybe they have some sort of emotional trauma that they just haven’t dealt with yet. 

A personal counselor will help bring these problems to the surface so patients can examine them and find a better way to cope with them that doesn’t involve substance abuse. 

Group Talk Sessions – Following in the footsteps of 12-step groups like AA and NA, many Percocet rehab programs will also use group talk sessions to get patients to open up about their experiences that led to substance abuse. This format is also helpful because it allows patients to learn from the lives of others and to gain a new perspective on their own problems. 

Plus, group talk sessions can also help patients develop a strong social support network that can end up lasting a lifetime. And that can be an integral part of staying clean and preventing relapse. 

Behavioral Therapies –These treatments are designed to focus specifically on real-world skills to help patients overcome powerful cravings and avoid unexpected triggers. Essentially, they provide the tools to build a new and drug-free life. 

There are a number of behavioral therapies endorsed by NIDA, including: 

What Are the Types of Percocet Rehab Programs?

Recovering from an addiction is no easy feat. You’re going to need all the support you can get. That’s why it’s better to be in a professional setting. It will help you to be around experts who know the best ways to treat your addiction. You need their expertise, and their experience is going to assist you with achieving long-term sobriety.

However, there are a variety of professional Percocet rehabilitation programs to choose from. And depending on the severity of your addiction, some may end up working better than others.

You will want to take some time to determine which type of program would be best for you. It’s always a good idea to talk with a professional to get their input. They can often give recommendations that can help you make your decision.

Below are the most common options for professional programs.

Most experts agree that going to an inpatient facility for drug treatment is usually the best choice. This may be especially true for someone with a Percocet addiction. This medication may be readily available to you at home. That means it could be very easy for you to relapse, and that’s something you’ll want to avoid.

An inpatient program prevents this from being a problem by requiring patients to stay at the facility throughout the entire program. That means eating, sleeping, and treatment sessions all take place in the same centralized location.

With the more controlled environment of an inpatient program, patients are far less likely to relapse. Plus, treatment is usually much more intensive, typically leading to a higher rate of success.

However, this type of program can also be quite disruptive to normal daily life. Most programs also don’t allow patients to attend work or school at the same time, which can be a problem for some.

An inpatient program usually lasts for about 30 days.

Outpatient Percocet rehabilitation is a much more flexible type of program than inpatient care. Rather than treatment sessions lasting all day long, these programs only hold a few sessions throughout the week. And they usually take place in the evenings or over the weekend.

This, of course, means that patients can spend their days and nights as they wish and don’t actually have to stay at a treatment facility.

Most Percocet addicts will probably find that they need a higher level of care than an outpatient program can provide. Traditionally, this type of rehab only allows you weekly visits with your therapist. However, there are some that may provide group therapy as well. Most people agree that an outpatient treatment center is best once you’ve had a higher level of care first.

Most outpatient programs are around 3 months long.

These programs are often called IOPs. Research has shown us that they are an excellent substitute for inpatient care. When you attend an IOP, you will have a lot of time with staff members. Your appointments will be held several days during the week for a few hours each time.

And like an outpatient program, these sessions will usually take place in the evenings or over the weekend, making it a much more flexible option compared to inpatient care. However, these sessions will be longer and happen more frequently than a normal outpatient program.

Most intensive outpatient programs last for about 12 weeks, although this can vary, depending on your needs.

In many ways, day treatment is very much like IOPs. The only difference is that IOPs are usually held in the evening, whereas day treatment is during the day. This is a great option for someone who works nights, but needs an outpatient program. You might attend the program for anywhere between two and eight hours, and as often as five days a week.

Sometimes there are people who need a much higher level of care. For these individuals, an inpatient program doesn’t offer enough support to meet their needs. This type of program works well for long-time addicts, or for those who have a history of relapsing. Patients are allowed to remain in the facility for several months while they recover as opposed to the 30 days of a typical inpatient program.

Sometimes long-term rehabs are referred to as sober living programs. However, this type of program is a little bit different. It generally doesn’t offer in-house therapy sessions. Residents are required to attend their own IOPs. While they are staying at the house, they have to abide by certain rules (like no drugs or alcohol), and they learn better life skills.

Co-Occurring Disorders & Percocet Rehab

For many addicts, a substance use disorder isn’t the only mental problem they’re struggling with at the time. They may also be suffering from depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, OCD, or any other number of mental disorders.

Unfortunately, many of these individuals don’t end up getting the professional help that they need to fully recover. Some facilities, for instance, may not be equipped to diagnose and treat these disorders. And as a result, they go left unaddressed, leading to future problems down the line including relapse.

Finding a facility that’s well-versed in co-occurring disorders (also known as dual diagnosis) is an important part of choosing a Percocet rehab program.

Among those with a substance use problem, co-occurring disorders are incredibly common.

According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, half of all addicts will also suffer from a mental disorder. And in that same vein, half of people who struggle with a mental disorder will also have a substance use disorder as well.

To give some perspective, only about 1 in 5 Americans will suffer from a mental disorder at some time in their lives. That means that addicts are more than twice as likely to have a problem like this compared to the rest of the population.

They are, then, especially common – which is all the more reason why an addiction treatment facility should be equipped to diagnose and treat a co-occurring disorder.

When it comes to co-occurring disorders, both the addiction and the underlying mental disorder have to be treated at the same time.

That’s because in most cases, both of these disorders are intertwined. And when only one is treated and the other still remains, it’s much more likely that the patient will end up relapsing.

For instance, if a patient is struggling with depression or anxiety, they may start abusing Percocet for the relaxation and euphoria that it provides. But if the Percocet use disorder is treated using a professional program, that depression or anxiety will still remain. And more likely than not, the patient will end up turning back to using to treat the symptoms – just like they did in the first place.

Now, treating co-occurring disorders can be quite a bit harder than treating an addiction on its own. But doing so properly with a qualified dual diagnosis program is the only way to ensure the absolute best outcome and long-term sobriety.

The Cost of Rehabilitation Programs

People often hesitate to get addiction help because they’re not sure how much it’s going to cost. Many people would love to go to Percocet treatment, but they think they don’t have the money to pay for it.

In fact, a recent national survey asked Americans that knew they needed help but didn’t get it what was standing in their way. And nearly one-third of respondents said that perceived cost of treatment was a major factor in their decision to not get help.

But luckily, addiction treatment is actually more affordable today than it’s ever been.

Below are just a few of the options that make paying for Percocet rehabilitation easier than ever.

What you may not be aware of is the fact that your health insurance company is required to provide benefits to help cover the cost of rehab. This is a fairly new development because of the Affordable Care Act and the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act. And it’s certainly something that has been needed in the addiction treatment field for a very long time.

These laws also apply to federal health insurance programs like Medicaid and Medicare too.

As a result of these changes, some patients will end up paying little more than a simple copay for a full range of addiction treatment. Others won’t have any out-of-pocket expenses at all.

If you would like to know what your benefits are, getting this information is easy. It’s best to contact a facility and ask them to do an intake with you over the phone. They can even verify your insurance so that you know everything about your out of pocket costs.

Many facilities will also offer their patients a range of payment plans to make it easier to afford Percocet rehabilitation.

For example, many will offer financing options where patients will essentially take out a small loan from a facility to pay for treatment. And over time, they’ll be able to pay back the cost of the loan along with a small interest fee.

Others will have payment plans that help break up the full cost of a program, so it's less of a burden up front.

And some may even offer sliding-scale costs. These programs will change the final price of treatment based on certain factors like household income.

There are also likely going to be a variety of free and low-cost treatment options in your area as well.

In addition to local support groups like AA or NA, there are also actual treatment facilities that are meant to be cheaper than private programs.

These facilities are often run/funded by the government or by large charitable organizations. The Salvation Army, for instance, funds facilities that help more than 150 thousand people overcome addiction every single year.

However, there are a few downfalls of these programs to be aware of. For instance, they may have a lot more bureaucratic red tape around the program. As a result, getting into the programs could require a fair amount of paperwork, official documentation of earnings, and other hassles.

They may also have long waiting lists. And that can mean serious problems for someone struggling with a Percocet addiction right now.

And finally, these programs simply might not be able to provide the same quality of treatment and amenities that private programs offer. Rooms may be cramped with several patients, doctors may not provide individualized care, and treatments just might not be as effective or comprehensive.

That’s why it may be wise to think twice before deciding to partner with a free or low-cost Percocet rehab program.

Many facilities will also offer prospective patients grants or scholarships for treatment – essentially no-strings-attached awards that don’t have to be paid back.

The only problems with these options are that they are hard to come by and usually have strict qualification criteria.

But even still, it’s worth reaching out to a facility to see if they offer them to make your Percocet rehabilitation just a bit more affordable.

What to Look For In A Percocet Rehab Program

Finding the right Percocet rehabilitation program can be tough, especially given all of the options that are out there today.

How do you know what to look for? What are the signs of a high-quality program? How can you be sure you’re making the right choice?

Don’t worry – these questions are common when trying to decide on a rehab program. And the best way to answer them is to do your research. The more you know about a Percocet rehabilitation facility, the better able you’ll be to decide if it’s ultimately right for you.

Below are just a few questions to consider asking as you try to settle on which program is right for you.

  • Are you inpatient? Outpatient? IOP?
  • What is your staff-to-patient ratio?
  • Do you accept my insurance?
  • Do you offer personalized treatment plans or are you more of a one-size-fits-all program?
  • Are you nationally accredited by any addiction authorities or agencies?
  • Do you offer treatment for co-occurring disorders?
  • Is your approach holistic? Medical? Both?
  • Do you also offer detoxification services?
  • Do you have an aftercare program that provides referrals?
  • What kinds of amenities does your program provide?

How Can You Help a Family Member with a Percocet Addiction?

If you have a family member who is addicted to this opioid medication, you’re probably very concerned. You may worry about them nearly all the time, hoping and praying that they’ll eventually quit. Unfortunately, this isn’t the time of addiction that they can just stop on a whim. They’re going to need professional help in order to achieve sobriety and recovery.

There are some steps you can take to assist your loved one. You may want to begin by doing some of your own research. Look up information on what addiction is so that you can better understand it. When you’ve never been addicted to anything yourself, it’s not always easy to comprehend what it feels like. This will allow you to put yourself in your family member’s shoes and learn what they’re going through.

Have a look at some of the most common addiction questions to help you get a better feel for what this disease really is.

Eventually, you will want to talk with them about their opioid use. It might be helpful for you to make a list of how they’ve changed since they started taking Percocet. That will give you something to refer back to. Make sure you tell them how much you care about them, and that you’re only bringing it up because you have concerns.

When you have the conversation, choose a time when they’re not high on the drug. They’ll be more apt to comprehend what you’re saying, and possibly even more willing to get help. If you need more assistance, please check our Family Member Addiction Guide for additional help.

It may come to the point where you need to schedule an intervention. You can find these services through many drug rehab centers all across the country.

An intervention is a meeting involving the addict, an interventionist, and close friends and family. You will probably meet with the interventionist before the meeting takes place to get instructions. They will let you know how it’s going to go, and what you can expect.

Please don’t be nervous about your loved one’s response if this is the route you need to take. They may be angry at first, but quite often, they do agree to get help.

Frequently Asked Questions

Hopefully we’ve answered many of the questions you have about Percocet rehabilitation programs. However, we know that you may still have a lot of unanswered questions about the addiction itself.

Opioid dependence is very complicated and complex. It’s important for you to understand what it means to be addicted. We’d like to take a moment and answer any other questions you might have. To do that, we’ve listed some of the most common ones below.

It’s possible that while you know you probably take too much Percocet, you’re not really sure that you’re addicted. In fact, you actually feel in control of your drug use, and you’re sure you can stop taking it if you really wanted to.

There are some signs of addiction you can look for to determine whether or not you should consider getting recovery help. These include:

  • You’re crushing and snorting, or injecting your medications
  • You’re taking too much of it at one time to get some relief from your symptoms
  • You’re doctor shopping in an attempt to get more of your medication
  • You’re purchasing the drug illegally
  • You’ve stolen it from someone in your family, or from a friend
  • You’re mixing it with alcohol or other drugs in an attempt to enhance the high.

Any one of these indicates that you may have an addiction, and you should seriously consider going to rehab to get help. However, you may still be unsure even after looking at this list. If that’s the case, you may want to take a prescription drug addiction quiz.

This quiz has very detailed questions. It will cover many different areas of your life, and it’s important to be honest with your answers. You may find that you do have a Percocet addiction that needs to be addressed.

If taking a quiz doesn’t help, you may need to speak with a professional. Many Percocet treatment programs offer free phone assessments. This will allow you to explain your drug use to someone who understands addiction. They will be able to tell you more, and recommend rehab for you, if necessary.

This is a difficult question to answer because everyone is so different. There are people who take Percocet for years, but who never become dependent on it. There are others who take it for just a few years and end up feeling like they can’t live without it.

When you take any type of opioid medication for a long period of time, it changes the chemistry of your brain. In as soon as 30 seconds, this drug reaches your brain. Once it gets there, it binds to your opioid receptors. This triggers a flood of dopamine that helps you feel better. Many people experience sensations of euphoria when this occurs. Your brain will release dopamine on other occasions as well, but it releases more when you’re taking a drug like Percocet.

There are some individuals who crave this dopamine response. This is what makes the drug addictive.

Percocet can be so addictive for some people because the brain begins to think it needs more of it. It starts to believe that getting more of the drug is the only way to recreate that positive experience. As a result, it immediately starts to urge you to take more doses.

As time goes on, with continued opioid use, the brain gets used to that flood of dopamine. People find that they build a tolerance very quickly when it comes to opioid medications. This means that their usual doses start to be less effective. To compensate for this, they will take larger amounts.

It usually isn’t long before the brain becomes dependent on the opioid medication for dopamine. It doesn’t release it on its own anymore. As a result, people continue taking the drug in order to feel happy, or even to feel normal. It’s at this point that addiction is in place.

It’s important to know the difference between substance abuse and addiction. Sometimes the two terms are used interchangeably, but they don’t mean the same thing.

If you’re someone who is abusing an opioid medication like Percocet, this doesn’t necessarily mean you’re addicted. It does mean that you’re misusing it in some way. This could mean many different things, such as:

  • You’ve been taking the drug for longer than you should.
  • You’re purchasing it illegally, either on the street or online.
  • You’re taking it in a way that’s different than simply swallowing pills (for example, crushing and snorting it).
  • You’re taking it with alcohol or other drugs to enhance the high it produces.
  • You’re using it purely for its euphoric effects, and not for its pain-relieving qualities

The difference between abuse and addiction is that someone who is abusing it can usually stop any time. They don’t feel compelled to use it, and they do it because it’s enjoyable for them.

Once you become addicted, you’ll take Percocet because you feel you need to. Addicts tend to think about their drug of choice almost all the time. They’re always careful to be sure they have plenty of it on hand. It eventually will become the most important part of their lives.

Most of the time, people who abuse Percocet tend to focus on the positives of the drug. They see it as something that will relieve their pain, and/or produce euphoria. What they don’t realize is that abusing an opioid medication is going to result in potentially serious side effects.

It’s possible that you might experience some or all of the following Percocet abuse side effects:

  • Frequent mood swings
  • Bouts of depression
  • Confusion
  • Increased fatigue along with insomnia
  • A reduction in your breathing rate
  • Excessive sweating
  • Problems with coordination
  • A low blood pressure

Everyone responds to this drug differently. There are those who will appear to be high or even hyper in the way they act. There are others who may act sedated or need to sleep all the time.

It is often prescribed for any number of reasons related to pain. It’s often the go-to choice for people who have just been through major surgery. This is because it acts quickly to provide them with the pain relief they need. This applies to all types of surgery, including C-sections, back surgeries, and knee replacements.

However, there are other types of pain that may result in a prescription for this opioid drug as well. It’s a commonly prescribed medication for people who are involved in pain clinics. It may also be given to treat toothaches or migraine headaches.

The problem isn’t that this medication is being prescribed. It’s more that it’s being given out so often when it might not be needed. For example, consider this story about a woman who was prescribed 90 Percocet pills for mild knee pain. She was appalled at the amount of medication she was given, even after the pharmacy refused to fill the full prescription. She still came home with 42 of them, when she said her pain was about a 4 on a scale of 1 to 10.

Even if you take the recommended dosage of Percocet, you should expect it to make you drowsy. One of the more common side effects is fatigue and sleepiness. Unfortunately, sometimes people can grow reliant on this effect, and it becomes one of the main reasons they take it.

As time goes by, you may find that it doesn’t work as well for sleep as it did in the beginning. Even if you increase your dosage, many times people will begin to experience insomnia. They may feel tired, but be unable to fall asleep as easily as they once did.

For many people, adding alcohol seems like the logical choice when they want to enhance the effects of Percocet. What they may not realize is that the combination of the two can be very dangerous. This is mostly due to the fact that both carry risks of respiratory depression. When you drink and take this opioid medication together, there are even more risks of breathing problems.

Your breathing may become very shallow and irregular. Eventually, it might just stop. This might happen while you’re asleep, so you won’t know it’s taking place. The result is possible oxygen deprivation, which can cause your organs to shut down. It’s possible to die if you drink while taking this medication at the same time.

When you’re comparing oxycodone vs. Percocet, it’s important to know the differences between them.

Oxycodone, for example, is the core chemical opioid compound. It’s the ingredient used in drugs like OxyContin. And Percocet is actually made up of oxycodone, but with an added bit of acetaminophen – the pain reliever found in Tylenol.

Both may be comparable in strength, but the addition of acetaminophen often results in Percocet being stronger than just oxycodone.

Percocet is known as the strongest combination prescription pain medication. It provides quicker pain relief than Oxycodone does. This may be because of the anti-inflammatory properties of the acetaminophen in the drug.

Most people would prefer to take Percocet over any other type of prescribed medication. It’s shown to work well, and it starts working very quickly too.

Percocet Addiction Treatment

Percocet Rehab: The Best Way To Get Clean for Good

When you’re addicted to Percocet, it can feel as though this dangerous drug rules your entire life. These addictions happen to thousands of people every single year, and many of them feel as though they’re stuck with no way out.

But with the right kind of help, a Percocet addiction doesn’t have to be a death sentence.

And here at Northpoint Washington, we’d love to be a part of your journey towards recovery.

Our Edmonds, Washington inpatient program is proud to offer everything you need to kick your addiction for good.

  • A high staff-to-patient ratio
  • Fully individualized and evidence-based programs
  • National accreditation from the Joint Commission
  • Dual diagnosis specialty
  • A beautiful and comfortable facility with many amenities
  • A robust aftercare program
We would love the opportunity to talk with you about getting help. Do you have questions about going to rehab, or what it means to be addicted? If so, we’re here for you. Please contact us today.
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