Percocet Detox Center in Port St. Lucie, FL
Percocet is a prescription medication frequently used to alleviate moderate to severe pain. Percocet is a branded combination drug that includes both acetaminophen and oxycodone. Oxycodone is a semi-synthetic opiate that’s highly addictive. Even after just several weeks of prescription Percocet use, many people have a hard time stopping this drug without help. Experiencing uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms whenever your normal Percocet dose is decreased or missed is a sign of addiction. Once the brain and body have become physically dependent upon this drug, they’ll send out widespread distress signals when forced to function without it.
Attempting to quit Percocet or other opioids without medical support can be dangerous. Going “cold turkey” also greatly increases the likelihood of relapse. At Agape Detox Center, our Percocet detox program is streamlined to meet the needs of the individual. We take a whole-health approach to drug and alcohol detox that’s designed to promote and support physical and neurological recovery. Our holistic therapies and tools also assist patients in creating high-quality, sustainable lifestyles post-treatment.
Our clients have access to multiple medical interventions and therapeutic services. They also have the ability to take part in group counseling, private counseling, and many other addiction treatment services as their withdrawal symptoms wind to an end. Best of all, detoxing from Percocet in our Port St. Lucie facility will give you the benefit of a peaceful, resort-like setting where you’ll have the opportunity to focus solely on getting well.
What Is Percocet?
Percocet is a potent painkiller that may be prescribed after invasive surgery or serious physical injury. Percocet is sometimes offered to people with chronic conditions or degenerative illnesses for which the benefits of long-term Percocet use outweigh the considerable drawbacks. Percocet and other opioid pain relievers like it have a high likelihood of causing physical dependency after just four to six weeks of continuous use. Thus, it is not necessary for people to abuse Percocet to be considered at high risk for addiction. They simply need to take this drug for an extended period of time.
Percocet Addiction and Abuse
In addition to being incredibly habit-forming, Percocet can also quickly lead to increased tolerance. Someone who uses Percocet for pain control may need to take more than was initially prescribed as time wears on. Increased tolerance is a primary driver for Percocet addiction.
Like other opioids, Percocet acts on the brain’s reward center by triggering surges of dopamine. This “feel-good” neurotransmitter produces the relaxed, euphoric effects that are experienced when using opioids. Artificially triggering dopamine by taking Percocet can eventually wear this neurotransmitter out, and cause it to misfire. When this happens, dopamine production and distribution become reliant upon continued Percocet use. Taking opioid medications away suddenly will result in painful and widespread withdrawal symptoms as a result.
Percocet also blocks the brain’s pain receptors. Even when the conditions for pain exist, a person using Percocet is unlikely to feel it. Over time, the perception of pain can become greatly heightened whenever the pain receptors are allowed to function normally.
Common signs of Percocet abuse include:
- A decreasing interest in basic self-care
- Isolating from others
- Lying about how much Percocet is being taken and lying to get Percocet
- Shopping for new doctors to access new Percocet or other prescription drugs
- Buying Percocet or other opioids illegally
- Using Percocet with other substances to heighten its effects
Negative Effects of Percocet Abuse
Taking more Percocet than your doctor has prescribed or using Percocet as a primary pain management tool for too long can have a lasting impact on both the brain and body. Among the most common negative side effects of Percocet abuse are:
- Confusion
- Forgetfulness
- Difficulty concentrating
- Severe constipation
- Respiratory distress
- Nausea
- Vomiting
If left unchecked, Percocet abuse can cause both kidney damage and liver failure.
Percocet Withdrawal Symptoms and Signs
Given the way in which Percocet affects a person’s brain chemistry and their general perception of pain, Percocet causes a vast range of both physical and psychological withdrawal symptoms. Moreover, because Percocet is a short-acting opioid, these symptoms of withdrawal can manifest fairly soon after the drug is stopped or after a person’s normal dose is decreased. With a half-life of just 3.5 hours, Percocet withdrawal symptoms typically start within five to eight hours of last use and include:
- Uncontrollable yawning
- Chills
- Fever
- Excessive sweating
- Muscle aches
- Persistent runny nose
As your detox progresses, physical withdrawal symptoms will expand to include:
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Tremors
- Abdominal cramping
People may struggle with intense anxiety as well, along with insomnia, nightmares or vivid dreams, and visual or auditory hallucinations. If no medical interventions are received throughout this time, initial physical symptoms may lead to secondary issues such as severe dehydration and extreme fatigue. One of the greatest risks of going “cold turkey” when quitting opioids is hypernatremia. This is elevated blood sodium resulting from dehydration. Developing hypernatremia when detoxing at home alone has a high likelihood of resulting in heart failure.
When Do You Need Detox for Percocet Addiction?
It is unsafe to detox from Percocet on your own if you’ve been using this drug for longer than four weeks or if you’ve been abusing it for any significant length of time. Talking to your doctor about your Percocet use may give you access to a structured weaning program. However, more often than not, when Percocet addiction is diagnosed, the best solution is to enter a medical detox and then follow this with time in inpatient or outpatient rehab.
In rehab, patients are taught safe, sustainable, and effective ways of managing physical and psychological pain. At Agape Detox Center, we also help our clients learn more about the underlying causes of their addictions, and we provide a dual diagnosis treatment program for those who’ve been using Percocet to self-treat:
- Schizophrenia
- Bipolar disorder
- General anxiety disorder
- Post-traumatic stress disorder
- Major depressive disorder
or any other co-occurring mental health issues that have yet to be properly managed.
What to Expect During Detox
At Agape Detox Center, our Percocet detox program takes a multi-pronged approach to help people reach their health and wellness goals. We focus on good nutrition, good sleep hygiene, and good general self-care. With highly addictive medications like Percocet, we use structured weaning programs, medications such as:
- Buprenorphine
- Naloxone
- Naltrexone
and others to make this experience less stressful, more comfortable, and far easier overall.
During check-in, we perform comprehensive psychological and medical evaluations so that we’re able to structure our care to perfectly suit the needs of the individual. We also regularly monitor our patients and revise their treatment plans as necessary. When ready, you can seamlessly transition from Percocet detox to our inpatient program so that there are absolutely no gaps in your care.
How Long Does It Take to Detox From Percocet?
The physical symptoms of Percocet withdrawal usually peak within four to seven days of onset. However, the psychological symptoms of Percocet withdrawal often intensify after two weeks of abstinence and can persist for three full months or even longer. It typically takes between 60 and 90 days for the brain to rebound from Percocet abuse, and for dopamine production to normalize. Throughout this time, many people experience intense Percocet cravings, severe depression, low motivation, and feelings of hopelessness. Thus, completing both detox and inpatient treatment at our Port St. Lucie facility is an excellent way to establish a solid foundation for long-term success in Percocet recovery.
Why Choose Agape for Percocet Detox?
Completing your Percocet detox at Agape Detox Center will give you the benefit of a vacation-like setting, access to multiple forms of on-campus recreation, and the perfect space for starting your life anew. We offer multiple options in behavioral therapy and stress management services, as well as numerous options in medical interventions for withdrawal symptoms.
In fact, our Percocet detox program has been carefully refined to reflect the nuances of this specific opioid and the unique needs of each client. While our primary goal is making sure that patients are safe and comfortable during this first and most challenging stage of opioid recovery, we also work hard to give our patients the support they need for continued success going forward.
Contact Agape and Get Started Today
Detoxing from Percocet or other opioids like it is never safe when done alone. At Agape Detox Center, we’re able to effectively support the brain and body in healing themselves while additionally addressing the underlying causes of opioid use disorder. If you’re ready to stop using Percocet, we’re here to help. Call us today to get started.
