Overcoming an addiction to a powerful opioid like Percocet may not be life-threatening, but it can be challenging to do on your own. Percocet withdrawal symptoms will vary depending on a variety of factors. However, Percocet withdrawal is not a comfortable experience in most cases. This is why it is recommended to begin opioid addiction treatment with a supervised medical detox.
Percocet Addiction
Percocet is a prescription opioid medication that includes a combination of oxycodone and acetaminophen, which are both pain relievers. The drug is meant for the short-term relief of pain. Long-term use can lead to dependency, and misusing the drug by taking more than prescribed or taking it without a prescription can lead to addiction.
What Is Involved with Percocet Withdrawal?
Because taking higher doses of Percocet creates changes in the brain, there will be consequences when the use of it is stopped. When misused, opioids prompt the brain to produce more opioid receptors, which must be filled for the individual misusing opioids to feel normal. The body cannot fill all of these new receptors on its own, so the absence of the drug creates feelings of sickness, better known as withdrawal.
The symptoms experienced during Percocet withdrawal vary depending on how much of the drug a person took and how long they took it for. Other factors that can influence Percocet withdrawal symptoms include other physical and mental health conditions. In general, when a person stops using Percocet, the symptoms of withdrawal will begin mildly and worsen over time. Some people describe these mild symptoms as flu-like symptoms, such as:
- Chills
- Watery eyes
- A runny nose
- Aching
- Sweating
- Restlessness
The Food and Drug Administration reports that the onset of mild symptoms can begin within a day of stopping use, but more severe symptoms that could develop include:
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Insomnia
- Stomach cramps
- Muscle and joint pain
- Irritability and anxiety
- Diarrhea
- Shallow breathing
- High blood pressure
- Increased heart rate
Percocet and other opioids can also produce what are known as post-acute withdrawal syndrome. These are prolonged symptoms that can appear in varying degrees for months after discontinuing Percocet use.
What Kind of Help Is Available for Percocet Withdrawal?
Even though Percocet withdrawal generally is not life-threatening, it can be a difficult experience, and it is not one that you can or should go through alone. When you agree to a medical detox, you have the benefit of qualified and compassionate specialists that will be by your side every step of the way.
Several medications can help patients cope with the symptoms associated with opioid withdrawal. These include Lofexidine and Clonodine to help with the flu-like and anxiety symptoms. Another drug called buprenorphine is an evidence-based treatment for opioid use disorder that helps resolve withdrawal symptoms.
If you are struggling with Percocet addiction and are concerned about withdrawal, there is experienced help available that can give you peace of mind. Contact the Orlando Recovery Center to learn more about our admissions options.
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The Recovery Village aims to improve the quality of life for people struggling with a substance use or mental health disorder with fact-based content about the nature of behavioral health conditions, treatment options and their related outcomes. We publish material that is researched, cited, edited and reviewed by licensed medical professionals. The information we provide is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. It should not be used in place of the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare provider.