Percocet Addiction

Percocet addiction is a growing problem among the active and young adult population in the United States. Percocet is one of the oxycodone derivatives (oxycodone + acetaminophen) and is available as a treatment for low to mid level pain relief and occasionally for severe pain, especially in the joints and back. Often used following a minor sports injury or muscle strain, Percocet is perceived as a pretty benign drug. It is far from benign and can be dangerous – there are a number of contra-indications for use and ignorance of these has led to a number of deaths.

Percocet– origin, issues and legal status

Percocet is available under a number of trade names including Endocet, Magnacet, Narvox, Roxicet, Tylox and Bp Percocet. It is made by mixing acetaminophen with oxycodone in an attempt to provide an effective pain relief medication that is less problematic than straight oxycodone. The combination is more suited to the more severe pain relief that many active adults require in today’s society, but there are a number of issues with Percocet:

• Percocet is highly addictive when taken for an extended period
• Contra-indications in people with the following conditions present adverse or even severe reactions:
  Breathing disorders, especially asthma, COPD and sleep apnea
  Liver disease or jaundice
  Kidney disease
  History of head injury or brain tumor
  Epilepsy or other seizures
  Hypotension
  Stomach or intestinal disorder
  Pancreatitis or Diabetes
  Underactive thyroid
  Addison’s disease or other adrenal gland disorder
  Enlarged prostate
  Spinal curvature
  Mental illness
  History of drug addiction
  Alcohol addiction
• Increased tolerance following prolonged use

Ocycodone is a controlled drug worldwide and Percocet follows similar status although it is commonly available on the internet through Canada and Mexico. Where it is controlled the penalties for misuse are severe:

• In America the drug is a Schedule II drug meaning that it is considered to have a high potential for abuse but that it has a currently accepted medicinal use, albeit with severe restrictions.
• In Canada restrictions are in place and penalties range from 7 years and a 10000 dollar fine to life imprisonment
• In the UK it is a class A drug which aligns it with heroin and crack cocaine and possession without a prescription is punishable with up to 7 years in prison

Percocet addiction: usage and effects

Percocet addiction usage is very similar to Oxycontin and the methods of abuse are also similar but less frequent:

• Orally by swallowing the tablets
• Inhalation by crushing the tablets into powder that can be sniffed or inhaled giving a quick absorption with similar effects as heroin and morphine – euphoria, lassitude and general numbness
• Injection with a suspension of Percocet powder in water

Some of the side-effects of Percocet abuse are the very effects that the addict desires, for example euphoria, numbness and the feeling as though the body is wrapped and protected, faintness or light-headedness. Other, less desirable side-effects are part and parcel of the drugs impact and include nausea and vomiting, convulsions, confusion and staggering, constipation, itching and sweating

Profile of a Percocet addict

• The majority of Percocet users have no problems with short term use, but others will have been using the drug for long term relief of pain from injury and will have developed a Percocet addiction.
• Most of the users of Percocet tend to be:
  • Fit and active
  • Young to middle aged
  • Middle-class
• There are many abusers and addicts in the more rural areas of America where recreational abuse of Percocet falls under the ‘Hillbilly Heroin’ class alongside Oxycontin
• The drug is commonly abused in low-income and run-down areas of the inner cities, generally using stolen prescriptions and stolen drugs or ‘Doctor Surfing’ where a number of free clinics will be visited, one after the other, to get prescriptions for the drug either for sale or personal abuse

Treating Percocet addiction

The withdrawal effects of Percocet addiction are pretty much the same as those of Oxycontin, morphine or heroin:

• Cramps, tics and muscle spasms
• Sweating and yawning uncontrollably
• Diahorrea
• Runny nose and weeping eyes
• Depression and self-hatred

The physical withdrawal will be accompanied by a profound depression and self-hatred and a number of treatments are recommended for relief from the trauma of withdrawal:

• Counseling
• Low Impact exercise
• Low Impact Yoga
• Massage
• Acupressure
• Meditation – either in groups or alone
• Occupational therapy

As Percocet addiction is basically morphine addiction, all of the same stages of recovery and rehab need to be identified and arranged. Beginning with detox, then a rehab program with a variety of treatments and therapies designed to help the individual addict and their particular needs. Medical supervision during initial physical withdrawal is advisable as not only will the addict be suffering severe withdrawal side-effects, but the underlying condition for which they started taking Percocet may still be present. To attain and sustain an effective recovery an holistic approach is useful. Helping the addict to understand how they became addicted, and how to avoid the problem in the future.