Percocet Addiction Side Effects
Percocet addiction side effects can be devastating, but ending an addiction now can prevent serious problems down the road.
Percocet is an opioid pain medication that has a high potential for abuse and addiction. Percocet addiction develops as the result of changes in the physical structures and chemical functions of the brain caused by repeated, heavy Percocet abuse. These changes lead to compulsive and other unhealthy behaviors and dysfunctional thought patterns. Here are some Percocet addiction side effects that can indicate a need for professional help overcoming the addiction.
A loss of control over your frequency or amount of use
One of the Percocet addiction side effects that characterizes addiction itself is a loss of control over your use. Maybe you use Percocet more frequently than you should, or maybe you take higher doses than you’ve been prescribed. When you’re addicted, you can’t seem to control how often or how much you use.
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Problems with your relationships, health, finances, or the law
If you’re addicted to Percocet, you’ll continue to use it even though it’s causing problems in your life. These may be relationship problems with friends, family, and co-workers, or they could be physical or mental health issues. They could be related to job loss and financial strain, or they could be legal problems stemming from your use. Despite these and other problems, those with an addiction will continue to use Percocet. The National Institute on Drug Abuse stresses that once an addiction develops, willpower and good intentions are no longer enough to end an addiction for the long-term. Professional help is almost always needed.
Cravings
Intense cravings for Percocet is one of the most uncomfortable Percocet addiction side effects. Cravings develop as your brain begins to create powerful memories of the pleasure the drug produces. The brain begins to associate liking Percocet with needing it. You’ll begin to crave Percocet, and these cravings will be extremely intense, leading you to use even though you may want to quit, or even if you’re trying to quit. Percocet side effects like cravings can quickly derail successful recovery, so developing the skills you need to cope with cravings, stress, and other triggers is essential for long-term abstinence.
Health problems
Percocet addiction can cause devastating physical and mental health problems, and some are irreversible. The most pressing risk–and the most devastating of the Percocet addiction side effects–is the high risk of overdose associated with opioid addiction. According to the Centers for Disease Control, around 115 people die in the U.S. every day from an opioid overdose, and many more are hospitalized.
Dependence
Dependence on Percocet is characterized by Percocet withdrawal symptoms that set in when you stop using the drug. This is an indication that your brain has begun to function more comfortably when Percocet is present than when it’s not. Percocet withdrawal symptoms include nausea and vomiting, abdominal cramps and diarrhea, hot and cold sweats, and muscle aches. Cravings during withdrawal–and often for weeks or months afterwards–can interfere with successful recovery, which is why medication-assisted treatment using methadone, buprenorphine, or Suboxone is the recommended method of treatment.
Getting Help for Percocet Addiction
Percocet side effects have a profound impact on your quality of life. If you’re ready to end an addiction to Percocet, a high quality treatment program like WhiteSands Treatment can help. High quality rehab programs take a holistic approach to treatment that help restore body, mind, and spirit. Through a variety of complementary and traditional treatment therapies, you’ll begin to think and behave in healthier ways, and you’ll find purpose and meaning in a life free of Percocet. Treatment can help you end a Percocet addiction for good while restoring your quality of life.
If you or a loved one needs help with abuse and/or treatment, please call the WhiteSands Treatment at (877) 855-3470. Our addiction specialists can assess your recovery needs and help you get the addiction treatment that provides the best chance for your long-term recovery.