Percocet, a pain reliever containing oxycodone and paracetamol, can lead to addiction even when taken as prescribed. Long-term use can result in physical signs of addiction and withdrawal symptoms. Experts recommend reducing use under a doctor’s direction or seeking medical detoxification treatment. Overuse can lead to abuse and liver damage. Chronic pain sufferers may require regular narcotic treatment but should still seek proper detoxification or tapering.
Percocet® is a narcotic pain reliever, usually available only by prescription, which is a combination of the drugs oxycodone and paracetamol. Like many narcotic agents, oxycodone is an addictive substance and people can become physically addicted to it in a relatively short period of time. Addiction to Percocet® does not necessarily result from overuse of the drug. Even when taken as regularly prescribed to treat long-term pain symptoms, it can result in drug addiction.
In most cases, Percocet® is prescribed on a short-term basis for the treatment of pain. Those who take the drug for more than three weeks, however, may develop physical signs of addiction. These may not be noticed until the drug is stopped. Withdrawal symptoms can be severe for some people and include nausea and vomiting, anxiety, runny nose and eyes, insomnia, and even fever.
These symptoms are significant and severe and can last anywhere from a few days to several months, depending on the extent of the addiction and previous use. Experts therefore recommend that use be reduced rather than stopped abruptly, and those who have been on Percocet® for longer periods should discontinue use of the drug under the direction of a physician. To end an addiction, other people require medical detoxification treatment at a hospital or drug treatment facility.
Another effect of using the drug for longer periods of time is that the drug becomes less effective and people will need more of it for pain relief. This means that Percocet® addiction can easily lead to abuse. In theory, the term “abuse” includes using the drug for any purpose other than its intended purpose and exceeding prescribing recommendations. When people start to overuse drugs, they become not only physically but also emotionally dependent on them, and prolonged overuse has inherent problems. Because Percocet® contains paracetamol, heavy use can damage the liver.
As with any type of drug or addictive drug, Percocet® addiction can operate on two levels. People may need to withdraw from physical dependence on the drug as well as learn how to cope emotionally with its absence. Learning to deal with residual or perceived pain can make withdrawal more difficult for those with addiction.
There are long-term users of Percocet® who could theoretically be called addicts, but who do not exceed the dosage or a doctor’s recommendations. These are people who suffer from chronic pain and shouldn’t be considered “addicted” necessarily in an emotional sense. Sometimes, chronic pain requires regular narcotic treatment in order for a patient to be able to perform any normal activity. It is important to understand that stopping long-term use of this drug abruptly is not recommended, and those on long-term use should speak to a doctor about proper detoxification or tapering of the drug to end use.
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