Effective Percocet Detox at Icarus New Mexico

A Medical Detox Setting for Overcoming Percocet Withdrawals

Percocet addiction can escalate quickly, even when used as prescribed. It’s a substance that can lead to dependence. If you or someone you know is struggling with prescription drug abuse, Icarus Behavioral Health can help with Percocet detox.

We offer a unique approach to recovery that combines different methods for the best results. So, what is Percocet and how can it be treated with Percocet detox? Read on to learn more about this drug and how it can lead to addiction.

What is Percocet?

According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), out of 9.5 million people who misused opioids in the previous year, 9.3 million misused prescription painkillers like Percocet, an opioid derived drug.

Percocet is an opioid medication primarily used to relieve moderate to severe pain. According to the US National Library of Medicine, it’s prescribed for this purpose. The drug is a combination of oxycodone and acetaminophen, a key ingredient in Tylenol.

Percocet is sold under various street names, including:

• Tires
• 512s
• Blueberries
• Blue
• Perc
• Ercs
• Bananas
• Rims

Oxycodone works by changing how your brain perceives pain, helping to manage pain, while acetaminophen blocks the production of chemicals that cause pain. Oxycodone is classified as a Schedule II controlled substance by the DEA. This means it has medical uses but also a high potential for abuse and addiction. As a result, medications like oxycodone are heavily regulated in the US.

How is Percocet Addiction Developed?

Similar to other opioids, Percocet is also prescribed to treat chronic pain. But it is still strongly linked with addiction in the US. Its dependency can develop in people who are following the prescription as directed, leading to psychological and physical withdrawal symptoms.

In several cases, opioid use disorder starts with a genuine prescription and escalates into dependence in just a few days of use. If that’s your case, it may be time to consult your doctor for Percocet detox.

Once you develop opioid dependence, your brain and body require Percocet to function optimally. This dependence will cause Percocet withdrawal symptoms if you cut back or stop the drug use. In some cases, even short-term Percocet use can cause withdrawal symptoms.

Which Side Effects does Percocet Cause?

When you consume Percocet for pain relief, it remains in your system for some time. However, when you abuse Percocet, it can contribute to immediate issues. Long-term abuse can lead to adverse lifelong consequences.

Here are some long-term and short-term side effects caused by Percocet:

Short-Term

Here are the most common short-term effects of Percocet:

• Dizziness
• Drowsiness
• Constipation
• Slowed or irregular breathing
• Nausea and vomiting
• Difficulty urinating

Even if you abuse this drug for a short period, you develop a heightened tolerance for the substance. This sets in motion a never-ending cycle that eventually results in addiction.

Long-Term

Here are some long-term side effects of Percocet addiction:

• Opioid use disorder
• Lowered levels of testosterone
• Tolerance
• Addiction
• Liver damage
• Constipation
• Impaired sexual function

According to experts, prolonged use of Percocet is associated with various behavioral symptoms and eventually mental health disorders. These symptoms include:

• Getting Percocet illegally
• Avoiding friends and family
• Using the drug longer than planned
• Stealing the drug
• Continuing to use despite the problems it causes
• Trying to get fake prescriptions
• Using the drug in situations where it’s not safe (like driving)
• Taking more of the drug than planned
• Borrowing money to buy the drug

The long-term abuse of this drug also causes various physical symptoms such as:

• Losing weight
• Trouble sleeping
• Shallow Breathing
• Feeling unsteady or clumsy
• Slow heartbeat
• Trouble moving or coordinating
• Feeling sick when not taking the drug
• Slurred or unclear speech
• Feeling extremely tired
• Constipation
• Insomnia

You may also experience various cognitive symptoms if you abuse Percocet for an extended period. These symptoms include:

• Feeling restless or irritable
• Trouble making decisions or remembering things
• Having trouble focusing
• Acting aggressively
• Mood changes (upset, angry, or sad)
• Feeling angry

If this addiction is left untreated, it can lead to life-threatening situations such as a Percocet overdose.

What are the Treatment Options for Percocet dependence?

If you suspect you are at risk of developing Percocet dependence, you need to confide in a friend or a family member. Remember, there is no shame in asking for help. Recovery from substance abuse is a long, complicated process. A sound support system can make a world of difference and makes it easier to counter withdrawal symptoms.

Detox for Percocet Withdrawal

Percocet detox is the process of removing the drug from your body, which can be uncomfortable and take several days. You may experience early withdrawal symptoms even after detox, which are a regular part of the process.

However, if you experience severe withdrawal symptoms after detox, you’re at high risk for relapse. To overcome Percocet dependence, it’s best to detox in a supervised environment, like Icarus Behavior Health’s treatment center in New Mexico, where you can also access inpatient rehabilitation if necessary.

Here are some of the detox options available to people suffering from Percocet dependence.

Medical Detox

Medical detox eases withdrawal symptoms by providing 24/7 supervision from medical professionals. They prescribe medications to relieve symptoms, making recovery easier. For a quick and successful recovery, choose a rehab center that offers medical detox as part of its treatment plan.

Gradually reducing the dose, medical detox is a safe and effective way to overcome Percocet dependence. This controlled taper initiates recovery from addiction. Medical professionals create a customized tapering schedule based on the individual’s needs and the severity of their symptoms. This helps your brain adapt to function without Percocet.

Medications for Percocet Detox

Medication-assisted detox uses specific medications to manage symptoms of Percocet withdrawal, reducing the severity of symptoms. Some of the medications used to treat Percocet dependence include:

• Methadone: Methadone helps manage cravings for Percocet. It is an agonist drug used to ease the withdrawal symptoms. This drug stays in your system for a long time and helps ward off the discomfort that comes with Percocet withdrawal until the client completely recovers.
• Buprenorphine: It’s another medication used to ease several types of opioid withdrawal symptoms and speed up the recovery process. Buprenorphine is a partial agonist drug. This means it doesn’t fully impact the opioid receptors. Once it binds to them, it only reduces the intensity of cravings and symptoms of Percocet withdrawal.
• Naltrexone: Naltrexone blocks the body’s opioid receptors from receiving opioid high or euphoria. It’s an antagonist drug that prevents you from craving Percocet and relieves withdrawal symptoms.
• Combination medications: Depending on the severity of your symptoms, your doctor may prescribe a combination of drugs to help progress the detox process. It’s often a combination of antagonist and agonist drugs. The agonist medication reduces the opioid withdrawal symptoms, whereas the antagonist drug keeps the patient from abusing Percocet again. This form of medication-assisted detox is for people who fear they may relapse.

Outpatient Detox

Outpatient detox programs are suitable for people with mild or moderate Percocet dependence. However, consulting a specialist is important to determine if this program is right for you. If you’re concerned about relapse in the early stages of recovery, an inpatient detox program might be a better option to ease the opioid withdrawal process.

Follow-up Care

To help prevent relapse, the following programs may be beneficial:

• 12-Step Support: This program is ideal for those who have completed the treatment. It’s an ongoing care treatment that helps you stay on track and provides you with tools to live a life in soberity.
• 12-Step Facilitation: Support groups connect you with others who have similar struggles and help ease the recovery process. You can join a support group during or after the treatment, and lead a sober lifestyle.
• Mindfulness-Based Sobriety: The Mindfulness-Based Sobriety program helps you focus on the present to maintain your sobriety.
• Relapse Prevention: Once you have completed the treatment, you need to come up with an action plan to stay sober. This means you need to know the triggers that may cause a relapse. Relapse prevention programs can help identify and cope with real-life triggers.
• Trauma Therapy: Sometimes, Percocet dependence is a symptom of an underlying issue. It could be a trauma response. Therefore, it’s important to get to the root of the problem by understanding and addressing the trauma.
• Dialectical Behavior Therapy: Certain emotions and feelings can trigger Percocet craving. If that’s your case, DBT is the ideal therapy for you. It can help you learn how to regulate your feelings and emotions, which can benefit the recovery process.

Can You Detox From Percocet at Home?

People with mild Percocet dependence can detox at home. However, it’s very important to realise that Percocet abuse changes your brain chemistry. The dependence is a result of that change. This means when you try to withdraw this drug, you will experience overwhelming opioid withdrawal symptoms.

Therefore, you should seek medical evaluation before you choose to detox at home. If your medical professional clears you for home detox, here are some tips that may support a smoother recovery, including:

• Drinking plenty of water
• Preventing electrolyte imbalance by keeping a sports drink handy
• Eating healthy food, even if you don’t feel like it
• Involving your loved ones in the process to check on you, help you when needed, and motivate you to keep going.

Abrupt discontinuation is never recommended as it significantly increases the relapse risk. Gradually tapering the dose is the safest and most effective way to achieve recovery.

Percocet Withdrawal Symptoms and Timeline

Percocet withdrawal varies by person, depending on usage length and dosage. Symptoms typically start 5-8 hours after the last dose and can last a few weeks. Here’s a timeline to give you a general idea of what to expect.

Day 1

The half-life of Percocet is about 3.5 hours. This means you may start experiencing withdrawal symptoms within 5-8 hours after the last dose. The early symptoms are mild and may resemble those of a cold or flu, and include:

• Goosebumps
• Chills and hot flashes
• Sweating
• Aches and pains
• Watery nose and eyes

Day 2-3

After 2-3 days since your last dose, your symptoms may become more intense and severe. Along with flu-like symptoms, you’ll experience additional withdrawal symptoms, including:

• Abdominal cramping
• Insomnia
• Severe aches and pains
• Fatigue
• Nausea and vomiting
• Irritability
• Tremors
• Diarrhea
• Anxiety

Day 4-7

By day 4, the intensity of physical withdrawal symptoms starts to decrease. However, this stage is marked by intense cravings, which can lead to relapse. Although most physical symptoms subside within a week, psychological symptoms persist and can worsen if left untreated.

Counselling is the best way to power through this stage. It teaches you how to cope with withdrawal symptoms and triggers to achieve the ultimate sobriety.

Week 2 and Beyond

The psychological percocet withdrawal symptoms may worsen after the first week of Percocet withdrawal, becoming a significant issue. People in this stage may struggle with depression, anxiety, and even suicidal ideation. The risk of relapse also increases. Chronic Percocet users may experience these withdrawal symptoms for an extended period, typically lasting more than a month.

Get the Help You Need at Our Percocet Detox In New Mexico

Prescription drugs can lead to serious substance abuse issues, and Percocet is one of them. If you or someone you know struggles with Percocet abuse, Icarus Behavioral Health New Mexico can help with Percocet detox and Percocet withdrawal symptoms.

Our approach to recovery combines effective treatment with natural methods, and we work with major insurance providers to make this accessible. Contact us to learn more about Percocet detox and start your journey to recovery.