Why Percocet Abuse Is Dangerous

Since 1999, drug overdoses have killed nearly 841,000 people, and 70% of those deaths have involved an opioid. Since then, the number of overdose deaths has increased over six times, killing nearly 50,000 people in 2019. Substances labeled as opioids – including prescription painkillers – are at the top of the list of the deadliest drugs. More than 136 Americans are killed every day, and between 2000 and 2019, the overdose rate increased by 255.74%. 

Natural opioids include morphine and codeine; while semi-synthetic opioids include oxycodone, hydrocodone, hydromorphone, and oxymorphone. Methadone is a synthetic opioid, as well as tramadol and fentanyl. Heroin is a synthetic opioid made from morphine, which is made illegally. 

Percocet has legit medical use, but like all opioids, it has a high potential for abuse and addiction.

What Is Percocet?

Percocet contains oxycodone hydrochloride and acetaminophen, which influences the perception of pain and inhibits chemicals related to pain in the brain. Percocet is one of the most commonly abused prescription drugs. Long-term use of Percocet can lead to addiction and possibly overdose.

Some mild side effects of Percocet use include dizziness, nausea, blurred vision, and dry mouth. The more severe side effects include fever, fatigue, chest pain, hypothermia, hypertension, slowed heartbeat, seizures, GI issues, depression, and more.

Although Percocet may be viewed as safer than illegal drugs, it is not. This drug works in the body the same way as heroin. It is crucial to stay away from opioids when struggling with substance abuse and seek other methods of treating pain when necessary. 

Opioid Addictiveness

Commonly prescribed opioids include oxycodone, fentanyl, buprenorphine, methadone, oxymorphone, hydrocodone, codeine, and morphine. There is a high potential to become addicted to these substances because of the feelings of pleasure and pain relief they provide. Even when taken as prescribed and directed, the potential for addiction is still high.

When someone becomes addicted to opioids, they may prioritize using them over other activities in life. 

Over time, opioid abuse changes brain chemistry, leading to drug tolerance and the need for increased doses over time to achieve the same effect. After an extended period of use, a dependence on the drug will be formed.

Not everyone who takes opioids over time will become addicted to the drug, but they will become physically dependent on it. 

Opioids are most addictive when taken differently from how they were prescribed. This could include injecting, snorting, or smoking the drugs instead of taking them by mouth.

If the opioid pill is an extended-acting formulation, it is even more dangerous. All of the drug is delivered at once, and the risk of accidental overdose is even higher. Taking more than prescribed is also going to increase the risk of addiction. 

The length of time you have been using opioids also plays a role in the addictiveness. Research shows that “the probability of long-term opioid use increases most sharply in the first days of [use], particularly after 5 days or 1 month of opioids have been prescribed.”

Additionally, genetic, psychological, and environmental factors all play a role in addiction. 

Other factors include:

• Poverty
• Family history of substance abuse
• Young age
• Mental disorders or illnesses
• Heavy tobacco use
• Risk-taking behavior 
• Stressful circumstances
• Prior drug or alcohol rehabilitation

Women have a higher risk for opioid addiction because they are more likely to experience chronic pain. They also may have tendencies to become dependent more quickly than men.

How Does the Addiction Occur?

Part of the reason opioids are so addictive is because they activate powerful reward centers in the brain. They trigger the release of endorphins, which are the neurotransmitters in the brain that are responsible for making individuals feel better. 

These neurotransmitters cover up the perception of pain and increase feelings of pleasure, creating a powerful but temporary feeling of euphoria. When the dose wears off, a person finds themself craving those pleasurable feelings again. This is the first sign of addiction.

Risk of Overdose

High doses of opioids cause one's breathing to slow or stop, which can lead to unconsciousness and death. Whether the substance is legal or illegal, the risk of overdose is still there, and the risk increases if the use of other drugs is combined. Today, in the U.S., opioids are responsible for most overdoses.

Roughly 22-29% of patients prescribed opioids for pain misuse the drug, and 8-12% develop an opioid disorder, increasing the risk of an overdose. The higher the drug dose also increases the risk of an overdose.

Medications taken with opioids such as Percocet that increase the risk of coma or death include:

• Benzodiazepines
• Sedative agents
• Muscle relaxants
• Antipsychotics
• Other central nervous system depressants

Percocet Addiction Is Treatable & It Starts With Detox

Detoxification from any opioid can be incredibly dangerous and should be done with professional help at a detox facility or addiction center. Percocet, an opioid prescribed by many doctors to relieve a patient's pain, can be challenging to stop using after a period. Prolonged use – or abuse of Percocet – can result in addiction.

Detox is the first step towards a happier life. At a detox center, Percocet will be allowed to leave the body in a controlled, safe environment, creating a successful foundation for lifelong recovery. DetoxNearMe.com can help you find a reputable detox center near you within your budget that meets your needs.

Start your recovery journey today with DetoxNearMe.com!