Percocet is a combination of oxycodone and acetaminophen which create an effective pain reliever for moderate to high levels of pain.Oxycodone is a narcotic, while acetaminophen is a less potent pain reliever, but does increase the effects of the oxycodone. A Percocet addiction is actually more common than you may think.It is one of the most common drugs prescribed for pain relief and management, and some may have no idea they are addicted.Some believe it must be perfectly safe because the doctor prescribed it, but the risks for addiction are high.
When you begin taking Percocet, it blocks the signals in the brain that tell you to feel pain.When you maintain a regular dosing schedule your body develops a tolerance to the drug.When one stops taking the drug they will usually being to feel some of the milder withdrawal symptoms.With a Percocet addiction, the brain kicks in and starts saying it feels pain again, even when it may not.The brain is tricked by the levels of Percocet dropping and it kicks in telling you that it needs more.This is how Percocet become psychologically addictive, in combination to becoming physically addictive.
There are some other indications that can help determine if you may be suffering from a Percocet addiction.One indication may be that you continue to take the drug even after the condition it was prescribed for has been resolved.For example, if you were prescribed Percocet after oral surgery and continue to take it even after it has healed and the pain has been resolved, this may be an indication that you may be experiencing a Percocet addiction.If you try to stop using Percocet and are unable, this may also be an indication that an addiction may be present.Perhaps you have stopped taking it and the withdrawal symptoms are so intense and bad that you feel you have to take it in order to get relief, this would be an indication that you are suffering from an addiction.
There is help available, and addiction to Percocet is actually quite common.It is a huge misconception that only poor people or street type people develop addictions.The fact is that anyone, any age, any profession, any financial status, any class or any race can develop a Percocet addiction.You could be a finance manager at a major bank, a Hollywood actor, a deli clerk, a receptionist, a fireman, or police officer.Anyone who has been prescribed Percocet for any type of medical reason has the potential to develop a Percocet addiction.
It is important to seek out treatment for a Percocet addiction as soon as possible.The longer one takes Percocet and the large the dose the person has become tolerant to, will affect the severity of the withdrawal symptoms that they may experience.There is a variety of detoxification programsas well as a diverse range of rehabilitation treatment options available. Getting treatment now may reduce your risk of long term health effects associated with long term use of Percocet.
