Percocet Abuse Signs, Symptoms, & Side Effects
Percocet is a dangerous narcotic that can easily cause addiction — even in those who are taking the drug with a medical prescription. Over time, this painkiller can cause negative effects on a person’s body, their overall health and other aspects of their life. As a Percocet abuser continues to take the drug, they will begin to show certain tell-tale signs and symptoms of abuse, ranging from suspicious behavior to mood swings. If you suspect a loved one is abusing or is addicted to Percocet, watch for a combination of these signs and symptoms.
For example, maybe previously they valued their hobbies and enjoyed spending time with their family. Now, after abusing Percocet, they may be avoiding seeing their family and ignoring their hobbies. For someone who is addicted to Percocet, acquiring and using the drug becomes the most important thing in their life. Someone who was once motivated by their career, social life or personal relationships or may no longer be involved with these activities. It’s not unusual for Percocet abusers or addicts to exhibit drug seeking behaviors and these other signs: You may also notice these other physical signs in the abuser’s home and personal spaces: In private, a Percocet abuser may be exhibiting these signs: Addiction can happen to anyone, regardless of their age, sex, race, financial situation or where they live. If you notice one or more of these signs in a loved one, they very well may be abusing or addicted to Percocet. Just as with any other medical disease, your loved one will need to see a doctor to recover from Percocet addiction. Drug rehab is a proven effective way of managing addiction. Some of the common psychological symptoms of Percocet abuse or addiction include: Beyond experiencing the common symptoms, some abusers also experience more serious symptoms. In the rare occasion these serious symptoms do occur, it’s important to contact a doctor or visit the emergency room immediately. In addition to these common symptoms, some abusers also experience more rare, serious symptoms of using the drug. Serious symptoms of Percocet abuse include: It’s not uncommon for drug abusers or addicts to try and hide these symptoms from their loved ones. Often, abusers feel embarrassed or ashamed of their addiction, and in some cases they enjoy their addiction and don’t want to stop using. In the instances where they are unable to hide the symptoms of abuse from loved ones, Percocet abusers may avoid friends and family all together. For some, this may mean not visiting in person. It could also mean limited phone conversations to only a few minutes. If your loved one has discontinued contact with you and is showing some of these signs they may be abusing or addicted to Percocet. The long-term side effects of Percocet abuse include: Addiction is the most common of these side effects. A medical disease, addiction can occur in anyone regardless of their age, upbringing, gender, socioeconomic status, race or sexuality. Typically the addiction process begins with tolerance — when a person needs to take higher doses of Percocet to feel the same effect they once did from a lower dose. Tolerance often turns to dependence, when a person has to use Percocet or else they go into withdrawal. Dependence is characterized as a physical need for Percocet in order to avoid the ill feelings of withdrawal. Addiction is characterized as the psychological need for the drug. While dependence and addiction are not mutually exclusive, they often go hand in hand. Not only do addicts feel withdrawal symptoms when they discontinue using Percocet — a sign of dependence — they also feel cravings for Percocet and are unable to stop using the opioid even though they experience negative side effects — the sign of addiction. There is no cure for addiction disease, however it can be treated. Addiction professionals and others call this process recovery and believe addicts are always in a state of recovery once they choose to become sober. Addiction treatment requires a rigorous schedule of medical attention, including the detoxification process, and counseling, to understand why someone began using drugs in the first place and learn healthier coping mechanisms to avoid future drug use. Shallow or stopped breathing If you believe someone has been abusing Percocet and they are exhibiting one or more of these overdose symptoms, call 911 immediately. Seeking addiction treatment can feel overwhelming. We know the struggle, which is why we're uniquely qualified to help. Your call is confidential, and there's no pressure to commit to treatment until you're ready. As a voluntary facility, we're here to help you heal -- on your terms. Our sole focus is getting you back to the healthy, sober life you deserve, and we are ready and waiting to answer your questions or concerns 24/7.
Spending more time alone
Avoiding family or friends
Spending time with a friend or group of friends
Avoiding their normal daily routine, such as attending work or school
A decline in performance at work or school
Asking to borrow money
Exaggerations of pain, or even faking illness
Frequent doctor visits, or “doctor shopping” in an effort to acquire new Percocet prescriptions
Frequent trips to the hospital for pain-related “emergencies”
Wearing long sleeves in the summer to cover track marks in the arms
Loss of appetite
An excess of shipping materials, as if they were ordering Percocet online
Prescriptions pads possibly used to forge prescriptions for Percocet
White powder on tables, sinks or handheld mirrors
Missing cash, such as from your wallet or coat pockets
Losing control while they’re on Percocet
Feeling they need Percocet to act “normal” or complete everyday activities
Tolerance, or needing to increasing their dosage of Percocet to experience the same effects
Symptoms of withdrawal, such as nausea and shaking, if they try to stop using Percocet
Continuing to use Percocet even if they are encountering negative side effects
Dizziness
Drowsiness
Nausea and vomiting
Slowed breathing
Shallow breathing
Low blood pressure
Dry mouth
Constipation
Sweating
Feeling lightheaded
Constricted pupils
Flushed face
Lack of coordination
Sleeping too much or sleeping too little
Loss of appetite
Irritability
Mood swings
Depression
Panic attack
Hives or Rash
Seizures
Fast heartbeat
Slowed heartbeat
Obtundation
Difficulty breathing or inability to breathe
Difficulty swallowing or inability to swallow
Swollen face, tongue, hands, feet or throat
Vomiting that cannot be stopped
Severe constipation and other gastrointestinal problems
Urinary retention
Bladder damage
Kidney disease
Kidney failure
Liver damage
Respiratory failure
Decreased testosterone levels in men
Infection
Compromised mental capacities
Overdose
Death
Blue lips or fingers
Unconsciousness
Noisy breathing, similar to the sound of snoring, which may indicate airway obstruction
Limp limbs
No response to stimuli
The Fix Staff. “Percocet Addiction: Signs, Side Effects, Rehab, and Recovery.” The Fix, 21 Jan. 2015, www.thefix.com/content/percocet-addiction. Accessed 22 Feb. 2017.
Holland, Kimberly. “Percocet Addiction.” Healthline, 16 June 2016, www.healthline.com/health/percocet-addiction#Signsandsymptoms3. Accessed 22 Feb. 2017.
The National Alliance of Advocates for Buprenorphine Treatment. “Physical Dependence and Addiction – An Important Distinction.” The National Alliance of Advocates for Buprenorphine Treatment, 12 Mar. 2016, www.naabt.org/addiction_physical-dependence.cfm. Accessed 22 Feb. 2017.
National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence. “Drug Overdose: A Medical Emergency.” National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence, www.ncadd.org/get-help/get-immediate-help/drug-overdose-emergency. Accessed 22 Feb. 2017.