In 2015 alone, nearly 12.5 million Americans over the age of 12 took prescription pain medication for a non-medical reason, which equates to almost 5% of the American population. Opiate painkillers, which are used in a clinical setting to treat chronic, traumatic, and severe pain, are among the most commonly prescribed medications in the United States and come with severe Percocet side effects.
Unfortunately, opiate-based narcotic pain medications, like Percocet, are highly potent and prone to abuse. Opiates can create powerful feelings of euphoria by releasing excessive amounts of dopamine. Over time, regularly using or abusing drugs like Percocet can lead to both physical and psychological dependency.
One of the most severe Percocet side effects is liver damage, which is sometimes irreversible. This addiction can cause financial, legal, and relationship problems and be difficult to overcome without help from a Percocet addiction treatment center.
Percocet Side Effects and Addiction
Percocet is a type of opiate-based prescription pain medication. It is commonly prescribed for things like back pain and dental surgery. Percocet has hydrocodone and acetaminophen. Acetaminophen, which is the main ingredient in over the counter pain relievers like aspirin, can cause liver damage when taken in excessive amounts.
Other potential Percocet side effects include:
- Physical and psychological dependency
- Risk of fatal overdose
- Decreased blood pressure
- Respiratory depression and difficulty breathing
- Nausea and vomiting
- Headache, dizziness and blurred vision
Percocet addiction can occur even if you are taking it exactly as prescribed. Using or abusing Percocet can lead to increased tolerance, forcing you to increase your dose in order to experience the same potent effects. Your brain’s pleasure and reward center can change as a result of abusing Percocet, resulting in your brain becoming incapable of releasing the proper number of neurotransmitters.
When your brain becomes dependent on Percocet to release the proper amounts of neurotransmitters, you can experience intense cravings when you encounter triggers. As your tolerance increases, you can become physically and psychologically dependent on Percocet and experience withdrawal symptoms when you immediately stop using.
Treating Percocet Addiction
Since Percocet side effects can include addiction, you may experience troubling withdrawal symptoms when you stop using Percocet. These symptoms can include things like restless legs, body aches, and pains, insomnia, and tremors. Sometimes, symptoms can cause other complications, like seizures.
A medically supervised detox can help limit the severity of your withdrawal symptoms. This also connects you with additional treatment options. Inpatient and outpatient programs both offer evidence-based and holistic treatments to help you maintain sobriety and abstinence.
Nearly half of all people in recovery experience a relapse. Those who are involved in a treatment program are less likely to relapse. Treatment programs can help you identify your triggers and learn how to cope with cravings.
Finding Help Today
If you or a loved one is battling a substance use problem or a Percocet addiction, reaching out for help is an important first step. Percocet side effects, like other opiates, can lead to addiction and medical problems. Crestview Recovery, a leading Percocet addiction treatment center, is here to help you find recovery. Call us today at 866.262.0531 to find out more about your treatment options.
Since 2016, Dr. Merle Williamson, a graduate of Oregon Health Sciences University, has been the Medical Director at Crestview Recovery, bringing a rich background in addiction medicine from his time at Hazelden Treatment Center. He oversees outpatient drug and alcohol treatments, providing medical care, setting policies, detox protocols, and quality assurance measures. Before specializing in addiction medicine, he spent 25 years in anesthesiology, serving as Chair of Hospital Pharmacy and Therapeutics Committee and Chief of Anesthesia at Kaiser Permanente. This experience gives him a unique perspective on treating prescription drug addiction.
