Percocet combines oxycodone, a potent opioid, with acetaminophen. Addiction to Percocet is an opioid use disorder, and it responds well to treatment when the right tools are used: medically supervised withdrawal, medication for opioid use disorder and structured therapy. This guide explains how Percocet addiction is treated, what each level of care involves, how long treatment takes, what it costs and how to choose a program. To start now, verify your insurance or see our treatment centers.
Signs of Percocet Addiction
- Taking more than prescribed, running out early, or getting pills from other people or online sellers
- Continuing to use after the original pain has resolved, or using for the feeling rather than for pain
- Withdrawal symptoms between doses (sweating, aches, anxiety, diarrhea)
- Crushing or snorting pills, or buying “M30” or “Percocet” pills on the street
- Using Percocet with alcohol or benzodiazepines
- Nodding off, slowed breathing or a previous overdose
Counterfeit oxycodone pills are now one of the leading sources of fentanyl overdose in the United States; a pill that looks like Percocet or an “M30” bought outside a pharmacy should be assumed to contain fentanyl. Keep naloxone (Narcan) on hand. High doses of genuine Percocet also deliver toxic amounts of acetaminophen that can damage the liver. Our Percocet addiction self-assessment can help you decide whether to seek help.
What Percocet Withdrawal Is Like
Opioid withdrawal is rarely life-threatening, but it is intensely uncomfortable and it drives relapse: muscle and bone pain, sweating, chills, anxiety, insomnia, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and cravings, beginning within 8 to 24 hours of the last dose and peaking around days two to three. Dehydration can become serious, and tolerance drops fast, which makes overdose risk highest in the days after stopping. See the Percocet withdrawal timeline.
Levels of Care for Percocet Addiction
Medical detox
Round-the-clock monitoring with medications for symptoms (such as clonidine or lofexidine, anti-nausea and sleep aids) and, in most cases, buprenorphine started once withdrawal has begun. Learn how medical detox works.
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Inpatient or residential rehab
Living at the facility for about 30 to 90 days with daily therapy, medical and psychiatric care and skills work. Recommended for people with long or heavy opioid use, a previous overdose, polysubstance use, chronic pain that needs a new plan, or an unstable environment. Compare inpatient vs. outpatient rehab.
Partial hospitalization and intensive outpatient
Step-down programs that keep treatment intensity high while you live at home or in sober housing, with medication treatment continuing.
Outpatient care and aftercare
Ongoing therapy, medication management, alumni groups and a written relapse prevention plan.
Medication for Opioid Use Disorder
Medication is the standard of care for opioid use disorder and substantially reduces the risk of relapse and overdose death:
- Buprenorphine (Suboxone, Sublocade and others) — a partial opioid agonist that relieves withdrawal and cravings with a ceiling on respiratory depression; can be started in detox once withdrawal has begun and continued for months or years.
- Methadone — a full agonist dispensed through licensed opioid treatment programs; effective for people with long or heavy opioid use.
- Naltrexone (Vivitrol monthly injection) — an opioid blocker started after 7 to 10 opioid-free days; no potential for misuse, useful for people who do not want an agonist medication.
A physician reviews the options with you during detox based on your history and preferences. Read more about medication-assisted treatment for opioids.
Therapy and Pain Management
Cognitive behavioral therapy, contingency management, motivational interviewing, group and family therapy address the habits, stressors and relationships tied to use, and co-occurring depression, anxiety or PTSD are treated alongside the addiction. Because Percocet is usually first prescribed for pain, treatment includes a non-opioid pain plan developed with your medical providers, including physical therapy, non-opioid medications and behavioral approaches to chronic pain.
How Long Does Treatment Take?
Detox takes roughly five to ten days. The National Institute on Drug Abuse notes that treatment participation of less than 90 days is of limited effectiveness for most people, and medication for opioid use disorder is often continued for a year or longer. A typical path is detox, several weeks of inpatient or partial hospitalization care, an intensive outpatient phase and outpatient follow-up with ongoing medication management.
Cost and Insurance
Substance use treatment is an essential health benefit under the Affordable Care Act, and federal parity law requires health plans to cover it comparably to medical care. Most commercial plans, Medicaid and Medicare cover detox, medication-assisted treatment, inpatient and outpatient care; what you pay depends on your deductible, copays and network. Our admissions team will verify your benefits free of charge and explain private-pay options. If you have no insurance, see our guide to rehab without insurance.
How to Choose a Percocet Rehab Program
- Medical detox with 24-hour nursing and physician oversight
- Buprenorphine, methadone and naltrexone all available
- Psychiatric care for co-occurring conditions and a plan for chronic pain
- A full continuum of care within one provider
- Accreditation (Joint Commission or CARF) and state licensure
- A benefits check and clear cost estimate before admission
See our guide to finding the right rehab.
Percocet Addiction Treatment at The Recovery Village and Promises
Our centers provide medical detox, medication-assisted treatment, inpatient and residential rehab, partial hospitalization, intensive outpatient care and aftercare for opioid use disorder, with psychiatric care for co-occurring conditions. Find a center in Georgia, Florida, Texas, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Colorado, Washington, Oregon, Missouri, Indiana, Ohio, New Jersey, Maryland or Massachusetts, or see all locations.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I detox from Percocet at home?
Withdrawal is rarely dangerous, but it is hard to complete alone, and overdose risk is high afterward because tolerance falls quickly. Medical detox with buprenorphine is safer and far more comfortable.
How long is Percocet rehab?
Detox takes about a week; inpatient stays commonly run 30 to 90 days, followed by outpatient care and, often, continued medication treatment.
What if I still have real pain?
Treatment includes a pain plan that does not depend on opioids, built with your medical providers. Many people find their pain becomes more manageable once the cycle of opioid use and withdrawal ends.
Does insurance cover treatment?
Most plans do, including medication treatment. Verify your coverage in minutes.
