Since the mid-1990s, the number of people misusing prescription medications has increased. Today, prescription opioid medications cause most cases of substance use disorders in the nation. Learn some shocking Percocet addiction facts to understand the degree of danger these substances pose to people.
What is Percocet?
Percocet is the brand name for a prescription pain reliever that blends Oxydocone and Acetaminophen. Percocet is prescribed as a short-term treatment for moderate to severe pain after surgery or injury. It works like other highly addictive drugs such as heroin and morphine. It binds to the brain’s neurotransmitters and affects the central nervous system, changing the way our brains perceive pain.
Other Names for Percocet
Although Percocet is a pain relief prescription medication, like other opioids, it finds its way to the streets. Percocet addicts find the substance under names like Hillbily heroin, Perks, and Percs.
5 Interesting Percocet Addiction Facts You Should Know
Because opioid abuse isn’t new, there’s a lot we know about its effects on our bodies and brains. As far as Percocet addiction facts, most of them hide under opioid facts. Not all opioid studies offer granular information that specifies the type of opioid people abuse.
1. Percocet Effects Mimic Heroin
By activating opioid receptors, Percocet works similar to drugs like heroin and morphine. It modifies pain reception and messes up with dopamine surges. Larger doses of Percocet produce euphoria, heightened pleasure, relaxation, and intense feelings of calm.
People believe that Percocet is a safer alternative to illicit substances like heroin and cocaine. However, the effects can be just as devastating.
2. Addiction to Percocet Is Common
People think that because Percocet is a prescription, it’s safer than other drugs. However, even when people use it following their medication, the Oxycodone present can be highly addictive. First, most people develop tolerance, which often leads to misuse, and before long, they start showing signs of substance use disorder.
Of course, some only use the drug from the streets and don’t have a prescription for it. These people are merely to obtain the “high” people get from opioids. Also, another group of people, mostly with undiagnosed mental health disorders, might turn to Percocet to self-medicate.
3. Percocet Users Engage in Dangerous Behavior
When people start misusing Percocet, they often engage in dangerous behaviors. With lowered inhibitions, users have less control over their impulses. As the drug effects wear off people, struggle with dizziness, irritability, chills, and headaches. For those who abuse Percocet, depression and anxiety are common withdrawal side effects.
4. Drug Combinations Is Common
Not only does Percocet already include a combination of drugs, but abusers also incorporate other substances hoping to enhance the effects. Other drugs used in conjunction with Percocet include marijuana, cocaine, ecstasy, methamphetamines, and benzodiazepines. These combinations can potentially lead to Percocet overdose. Yet, most people mix Percocet and alcohol, a deadly combination.
5. Percocet Works as a Gateway Drug
Because users need to go doctor shopping to maintain their Percocet addiction, people move on to other drugs for the most part. Some users even attempt different processes to extract the Oxycodone from the drug and use this substance alone. Most of the time, users will move on to illicit street drugs that are cheaper and more accessible.
Percocet Abuse Statistics
Like most opioids, Percocet abuse numbers continue to rise year after year. Most Percocet abuse statistics show very alarming numbers. Opioid addiction affects people of all ages, races, ways of living, and demographics. It’s a widespread problem that requires everyone’s attention.
- At least 9% of the population will abuse opioids in their lifetime.
- Opioid pain relievers such as Percocet kill more people annually than heroin or cocaine.
- 81% of the total world production of Percocet is consumed in the United States.
- Approximately 14.4% of women who are pregnant will be prescribed opioid medications in the United States.
- In 2014 almost 30,000 Americans died from an opioid overdose.
- Almost 70% of the people reporting abuse of oxycodone products in 2015 were 26 or older.
- In 2011, close to 29% of the emergency department visits associated with prescription drug misuse were involved narcotic painkillers.
- In 2015, 8.4% of seniors in high school tried narcotic medications without a prescription at some point in their life.
- Almost 1 million adolescents between the ages of 12 and 17 abused painkillers like Percocet in 2015.
Percocet Addiction Treatment Options
Percocet dependency can lead to many physical and psychological effects that can have long-term consequences. However, because of the severe consequences of withdrawal symptoms, having the right support system is critical to prevent deadly outcomes.
Most people starting their Percocet addiction treatment should go to a detox program paired with a partial hospitalization program (PHP) that eases withdrawal symptoms and provides patients with a secure and supervised environment to begin their recovery. Many treatment facilities can help structure the right treatment plan. At Lighthouse Recovery Institute, our addiction recovery programs include:
- Medical Detox: In this clinically supervised detox process at treatment centers, we ensure the patient’s safety and make the opioid withdrawal phase as comfortable as possible by minimizing withdrawal symptoms and using medication-assisted treatment services to guarantee a complete detoxification process.
- Dual Diagnosis Treatment: Since many long-term Percocet addicts often struggle with mental illness, a dual diagnosis program can get them the help needed to treat both conditions simultaneously.
- Intensive Outpatient Programs: When patients seek addiction treatment while maintaining daily obligations like work, school, or caregiving, IOPs are a more flexible option that still gives people access to the help they need.
- Long-term Recovery Programs: With long-term recovery assistance, patients can have the ongoing support they need to maintain long-lasting sobriety. Recovery programs are crucial to prevent relapse.
Get Help Today
If you or someone you love is struggling with substance use disorders, ask for help immediately. Please, call the Lighthouse Recovery Institute at 866-308-2090 today and speak with our addiction specialists to learn more about our comprehensive and personalized addiction treatment programs.
Our addiction center offers unique and personalized treatment plans because we believe no two addictions are alike. The journey towards recovery is a long one, but together and with your family and friends’ support, we’ll make it.
