Percocet Addiction Programs in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Percocet is a trade name for a prescription medication that combines oxycodone, an opiate painkiller, and acetaminophen, an over-the-counter pain reliever. These pills are known as Paulas, Roxies, and Percs on the street. Treatment for a Percocet addiction can include detox and therapy at a residential treatment facility.
Get help finding treatment centers for Percocet addiction today when you call Drug Treatment Centers Pittsburgh at (877) 804-1531.
Understanding Percocet Addiction
Percocet is prescribed for pain that's caused by injury or surgery, and it's intended as a short-term pain management therapy due to its addictiveness. Unfortunately, addiction can occur when this drug is taken for non-medical purposes or in a way other than prescribed by a physician.
This drug causes the same effects as heroin when it's taken in large doses or chewed to destroy the time-release feature. These effects include intense calm and euphoria and heightened pleasure, which makes addiction a major concern when prescribing it.
Addiction may occur over time as the body quickly builds up a tolerance, which means higher doses of the drug will be needed in order to get the desired effects. This leads to changes in brain structure and function, and withdrawal symptoms may occur when the drug is withheld from the body, indicating that an addiction has developed.
Side Effects and Health Effects of Percocet
Percocet is often abused with alcohol, which is a highly dangerous combination. This drug causes a lower alcohol tolerance, and since both oxycodone and alcohol depress the central nervous system, combining them can heighten the depressive effects of each substance, leading to a potentially fatal overdose.
Side effects of taking this medication include lightheadedness, sleepiness, confusion, shallow breathing, sweating, and vomiting, and these effects are signs that someone you love may be abusing or addicted to Percocet.
For those who abuse this drug for an extended period of time, devastating health effects may result, including the onset or worsening of mental illnesses like depression or anxiety, chronic muscle pain, organ damage, and cognitive impairment.
Signs and Symptoms of Percocet Addiction
Signs are clues of an addiction that a physician or family member might notice, while symptoms are felt by the person who has the addiction. Signs and symptoms of an addiction to Percocet include:
- Building up a tolerance so that more of the drug is needed to get the same effects.
- Intense cravings.
- Getting prescriptions from more than one physician.
- Shirking duties at home, school, or work.
- The onset of withdrawal symptoms when drug use is discontinued.
- Continuing to abuse the drug despite problems with the law, finances, relationships, and personal health.
- Abandoning hobbies and activities once enjoyed.
Percocet Addiction Treatment
Treating an addiction to Percocet through a drug addiction treatment center provides the best chances for successful long-term recovery.
Addiction treatment begins with medical detox, which is the process of withholding the drug from the body to break the physical addiction. During medical detoxification, medications are administered as needed to alleviate the intense withdrawal symptoms, which may include hot and cold sweats, nausea and vomiting, intense body aches, and uncontrollable cravings for the drug.
After the detox process is complete, treatment therapies will be used to treat the underlying psychological issues, which are highly complex and vary greatly among individuals. Treatment therapies typically include psychotherapy, behavioral management techniques, motivational interviewing, and in some cases, moral reconation therapy to help patients achieve a higher level of self-care and moral reasoning.
The last phase of treatment is the aftercare plan, which is an individualized program that helps prevent lapses during recovery, which can lead to a relapse of the addiction. The typical aftercare plan includes ongoing therapy, joining a community support group, and ongoing evaluation of any mental illnesses. Other components may include living in a sober living facility, participating in vocational rehab, and assistance with finding safe housing.
Prescription drug abuse is serious and can result in permanent injury or death. Call Drug Treatment Centers Pittsburgh today to hear more options. Dial (877) 804-1531 now.