All substances – both legal and illicit – have some form of side effects. Even simple, over-the-counter cold medicine can cause adverse reactions. Though reactions to medications deemed as “safe” are rare, there can always be the chance of severe side effects.
These can be as severe as resulting in life-threatening consequences. In 2022, over 3,000 deaths occurred from opioids. This was a large increase over the past 4 years, with only 1,300 occurring in 2018. If these people were familiar with the side effects of medications such as Percocet® (oxycodone/acetaminophen), would these deaths have been preventable?
ReVIDA® Recovery understands having knowledge of topics surrounding opioids can help the public with life-saving measures. Today, we are discussing Percocet® addiction side effects, and what you need to know to help a loved one.
Table of Contents
What Drives Percocet® Use Disorder? Understanding the Causes
Percocet® (oxycodone/acetaminophen) is a prescription opioid medication that is often utilized in moderate to severe pain situations. It is a combination of oxycodone (an opioid) and acetaminophen (an over-the-counter pain reliever). Opioid medications, even when prescribed and taken as directed, can lead to dependence. However, when taken illicitly, Percocet® (oxycodone/acetaminophen) can result in an opioid use disorder.
The causes behind a Percocet® (oxycodone/acetaminophen) use disorder stem from the brain. Opioid receptors release hormones and neurotransmitters naturally to respond to mood stabilization, fight-or-flight situations, pain sensations, respiration, and more. When Percocet® (oxycodone/acetaminophen) enters the body, it attaches to opioid receptors, interfering with their natural response. Pain signals become blocked, and the person will feel euphoric and drowsy.
Over time of continued Percocet® (oxycodone/acetaminophen) use, the brain becomes used to the opioid receptor response and no longer induces it naturally. Percocet® (oxycodone/acetaminophen) becomes the only thing that makes the brain release good feelings. The brain sends signals that indicate a need for more Percocet® (oxycodone/acetaminophen), which can be in the form of uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms. On top of that, the person will experience poor mental health and cravings for Percocet® (oxycodone/acetaminophen). They may lie, steal, and hurt the ones they love in order to get more of the medication. These are the causes of developing a Percocet® (oxycodone/acetaminophen) use disorder.
Who’s at Risk? Key Factors Behind Percocet® Addiction
Risk factors for Percocet® (oxycodone/acetaminophen) use disorder go beyond genetics. Many factors stem from the environment, both in childhood and adulthood. These include:
- Experiencing abuse, neglect, or poverty during childhood
- Having a parent or sibling with a substance use disorder
- Having a mental health condition such as depression
- Taking Percocet® (oxycodone/acetaminophen) illicitly
- Mixing Percocet® (oxycodone/acetaminophen) with other substances
- Having a negative stress response
Immediate Impact: Short-Term Side Effects of Percocet® Use
Short-term effects of Percocet® (oxycodone/acetaminophen) typically happen during the initial stage of use, including:
- Chills
- Dizziness
- Headache
- Itchiness
- Loss of appetite
- Stomach pain
- Tiredness
These effects are in conjunction with fewer feelings of pain and a more euphoric state. These side effects can range in severity depending on the person. Those who take more frequent or higher doses of Percocet® (oxycodone/acetaminophen) will likely experience less severe effects compared to someone who just started taking Percocet® (oxycodone/acetaminophen).
The Lingering Details: Long-Term Consequences of Percocet® Use Disorder
Percocet® (oxycodone/acetaminophen) contains acetaminophen, which is known to cause liver toxicity. Different doses of Percocet® (oxycodone/acetaminophen) contain different levels of acetaminophen, but even in low doses, it can still result in acute liver injury. If the liver is already compromised from other substance use such as alcohol, this can quickly progress to acute liver failure. Continued use can lead to further liver complications that can cause permanent damage.
Long-term Percocet® (oxycodone/acetaminophen) use can cause immunosuppression. When the immune system is weakened, it is easier to catch infections from bacteria, viruses, and fungi. The immune cells do not have the strength to fight these infections and they can turn life-threatening events. Infections that cause damage to tissues and muscles can lead to gangrene and eventually sepsis. Left untreated, tissue death will result in permanent damage and possibly loss of life.
How Percocet® Addiction Breaks Down the Body Physically
The physical hold Percocet® (oxycodone/acetaminophen) use disorder causes can take a toll on the person as a whole. As we mentioned above, chronic Percocet® (oxycodone/acetaminophen) use will result in dependence. When Percocet® (oxycodone/acetaminophen) is not present in the body, withdrawal will begin, typically within 8-24 hours. Withdrawal symptoms are uncomfortable and can include:
- Anxiety
- Muscle aches
- Insomnia
- Runny nose
- Sweating
- Abdominal cramping
- Diarrhea
- Dilated pupils
- Nausea
These symptoms intensify the longer Percocet® (oxycodone/acetaminophen) is out of the system, typically peaking around 72 hours. During this time, cravings will be strong, but a return to use can be detrimental during this time. The likelihood of an overdose is high during the withdrawal phase.
Psychological Damage Caused by Percocet® Use Disorder
The psychological effects of Percocet® (oxycodone/acetaminophen) use disorder can cause mental health anguish. As Percocet® (oxycodone/acetaminophen) use becomes more frequent, the person begins to rely on the medication for a good response from the brain. Inherently, when Percocet® (oxycodone/acetaminophen) is not in use, mood begins to waiver. Agitation and anxiety begin to rise as frustrations build until Percocet® (oxycodone/acetaminophen) is taken again. However, this results in increased depression as the cycle of Percocet® (oxycodone/acetaminophen) use disorder continues.
When mental health is not functioning at its best, intrusive thoughts can occur. These can include thoughts of self-harm, harming others, and suicide. These thoughts are serious and should always be treated as a medical emergency. Even if the person does not have a plan or act on their thoughts, they need to be treated by a professional.
Hidden Dangers of Percocet® Use Disorder: The Serious Health Risks
We talked about acetaminophen toxicity above, but what about the oxycodone in Percocet® (oxycodone/acetaminophen)? Being the opioid component, there is a dangerous risk of experiencing an opioid overdose from Percocet® (oxycodone/acetaminophen). When too much Percocet® (oxycodone/acetaminophen) is taken at once, the body becomes overwhelmed. Opioids slow the central nervous system, which is responsible for breathing, body temperature regulation, and heart rate. Too much Percocet® (oxycodone/acetaminophen) results in these systems being slowed to dangerous levels, including breathing halting altogether.
When breathing stops, vital organs are no longer receiving oxygen, which is needed for them to function. Lasting organ damage can create future problems and cause life-threatening complications. The brain, heart, liver, kidneys, and more can pose serious health risks when damaged by a Percocet® (oxycodone/acetaminophen) overdose.
Seeking Rehab for Percocet® Addiction in Tennessee
No one hopes to become dependent on Percocet® (oxycodone/acetaminophen), but it does happen every day. Thankfully, there are treatment options that offer healing and hope when you are feeling your lowest.Percocet® addiction treatment will provide a safe space to address your root causes of addiction and work towards building healthy coping skills. Medication-assisted treatment and therapy will be a large component of your program, ensuring you have the tools needed for a successful recovery.
If you or someone you love is experiencing the negative side effects of Percocet® (oxycodone/acetaminophen) use disorder, it’s not too late to seek help. ReVIDA® Recovery specifically treats the complexities of opioid use disorders through Suboxone regimes and outpatient therapies. We have seen the success behind Suboxone and also accept Medicaid to ease access to this life-saving treatment. Call us today at 423-631-0432 to learn more about our program offerings.
Reclaim your life.
FAQs
Are the effects of Percocet addiction reversible?
Depending on the severity of the effects, Percocet addiction damage may not be reversible. The heart, brain, and other organs can be resilient, but in the event of an overdose or multiple overdoses, the organs may experience permanent damage.
