Percocet is an opioid drug, formed similarly to further opioids, including heroin. Down to its makeup, Percocet otherwise known as Oxycodone is a highly addictive substance, causing significant cognitive changes. Although it is a less familiar drug, it can cause detrimental impacts if abused in the long-term.
Opioid drugs are known to bind to the brain’s opioid receptors. These receptors are the part of the brain which responds to pain. When drugs like Percocet enter the internal system, they will likely suppress pain, while boosting pleasure hormones, including dopamine. Through this increase, this is where developing a Percocet addiction is probable.
Additionally, withdrawing from Percocet can be very challenging. Down to these challenges, continuous abuse is very likely, causing the addiction cycle to continue.
With this in mind, if you are abusing Percocet, it is important that you understand its hazardous effects, its addictive characteristics. If you’re hoping to detoxify from the drug, here is what to expect from Percocet withdrawal, the detox process and possible factors influencing its length.
What is Percocet?
As mentioned above, Percocet is a new drug to most. When opioids are mentioned, many individuals will think of heroin or morphine. Percocet is however just as dangerous, just as addictive as familiar substances, influencing addictive behaviours for a proportion of users.
Through its opioid classification, once an individual does consume excessive quantities of Percocet, vast cognitive changes are likely. Users will begin to depend on the superficial pleasure hormones, heightened through drug abuse.
As consumption continues, Percocet will in fact suppress the body’s organic formulation of happy chemicals, causing greater cravings for the drug. To experience this feeling on a continuous basis, individuals will misuse Percocet, soon developing an addiction diagnosis.
As the drug is new to most, it is important that awareness of Percocet addictions and withdrawal processes are increased. It’s vital that they are viewed similarly to further opioids,
If you’re personally abusing the drug, considering a medical withdrawal process, along with additional addiction treatment will be recommended.
What to expect from Percocet withdrawal?
If you’re considering detoxing from Percocet, it’s important to familiarise yourself with expectations. What to expect from Percocet withdrawal can differ for all clients. However, it is identified as a challenging drug to withdraw from, down to its strong grasp over emotions and feelings.
Those who abuse Percocet for the long term will likely experience mental health symptoms. As withdrawal is very challenging, a plummet of happy chemicals, unavailable through the body’s natural functions can result in depression, anxiety and mood disorders.
As a result of these challenging processes, it’s important to understand that the way that you withdraw from Percocet can influence your withdrawal experience.
For those who attempt to go cold turkey, this can be an unbearable withdrawal process, down to the body’s attempt to adapt to reduced familiar chemicals. Through this unbearable experience, withdrawal symptoms are very likely, usually making it impossible to reduce or stop Percocet consumption.
For those who withdraw slowly, through a detoxification process, you can expect an easier withdrawal. However, withdrawal symptoms can still show themselves.
Knowing what to expect from Percocet withdrawal is very important to prepare yourself mentally. It is tough, however, please remember that this pain, this discomfort is temporary. You can overcome a Percocet addiction on a permanent basis by completing the full withdrawal process.
The Percocet withdrawal timeline
The average Percocet withdrawal process will be experienced through the below phases, resulting in a withdrawal timeline.
- Early withdrawal
What you can expect from the early phase of Percocet withdrawal are flu-like symptoms. A large proportion of side effects will be physical, such as body pains, sweating, dilated pupils and a runny nose. Yet, psychological withdrawal symptoms can begin to heighten, such as anxiety, insomnia and Percocet cravings.
- Peak withdrawal
The peak withdrawal phase will usually be experienced around 2-3 days after your initial detoxification. Here is where both physical and psychological withdrawal symptoms will likely heighten. You can expect to feel chronic body pains, abdominal pains, vomiting and an increased heart rate, along with restlessness, depression and cravings. This is one of the hardest phases of withdrawing from Percocet, commonly resulting in further abuse when independent detox attempts are made.
- Late withdrawal
Around a week into withdrawal, your brain will begin to cope without Percocet. Here is where withdrawal symptoms will likely reduce, where recovery will feel possible. It is however important to note that psychological symptoms can continue, where additional treatment will be required.
Percocet withdrawal symptoms
Withdrawal symptoms when detoxing from Percocet can vary. Some will be experienced mildly while others can cause great discomfort. With this in mind, it is important that you consider withdrawing from the drug via a medically assisted detox programme.
Here you’ll be in safe hands while withdrawing while having access to further treatment to work through psychological withdrawal.
Signs of Percocet withdrawal include:
- High blood pressure
- Fatigue
- Flu-like symptoms
- Insomnia
- anxiety
- Paranoia
- Irritability
- Tremors,
- Vomiting
- Mood swings
What to expect from Percocet withdrawal can be difficult to pinpoint exactly. However, you will likely experience a range of withdrawal symptoms, resulting in an unpredictable yet progressive experience.
Factors affecting the intensity of withdrawal
Withdrawing from Percocet can differ for all clients, down to a number of factors. Your genetics, your recovery environment, your brain chemistry and existing weaknesses can either help or hinder your withdrawal process.
Furthermore, your pre-existing consumption, your mental health and your addiction history will all play a part in your withdrawal process.
Down to the unfamiliarity and unanticipated experiences of withdrawal, selecting a medically supervised detox programme should be prioritised.
Percocet withdrawal can be extremely challenging without a structured detox programme. Through a rehab centre, you will have the chance to experience an easier withdrawal process, with further treatments in place to reduce your withdrawal symptoms.
To access this form of the withdrawal process, reach out to our team here at Addiction Advocates. We can refer you to a local treatment centre with the aim to start your withdrawal process rapidly. If you have further questions on what to expect from Percocet withdrawal, we are here to assist.
Source
https://www.nhs.uk/medicines/oxycodone/
References
- [1] Oxycodone - https://www.nhs.uk/medicines/oxycodone/