Percodan is a painkiller containing a mixture of acetaminophin, or aspirin, and oxycodone. Medically, it is used to treat moderate to severe pain. Oxycodone is a highly addictive chemical compound that produces sensations of euphoria and relaxation. Oxycodone is found in all three drugs - Percocet, Percodan and Vicodin - and has the potential to be highly addictive. Percodan was slowly and progressively replaced with Percocet in most cases, due to the risks associated with acetaminophin such as blood thinning and potential blood clotting. Users are also prone to Percodan addiction.
Percodan binds to receptors in the brain to preclude the brain from sending and receiving signals of pain. One of the key components of a Percodan addiction is a tolerance to the drug. When an individual begins prioritizing the purchase and ingestion of Percodan above other activities, it is a red flag that an addiction is present. Tolerance to Percodan requires one to take higher doses of the drug to feel the same effects, as well as more frequently. Some Percodan abusers crush or chew the tablets in order to experience its effects more rapidly. In rare cases, Percodan abusers or addicts desperate for a strong fix, shoot liquid Percodan intravenously. Taking Percodan any other way than it is intended is dangerous. Any form of Percodan abuse can lead to a potential overdose, which can be very detrimental to one's health and possibly lethal in extreme cases.
Despite Percodan's effects that users and abusers report as pleasurable, Percodan has unpleasant side effects. These include constipation, stomach pain, fatigue, and headaches. Percodan impairs motor coordination, thus it should not be used when operating heavy machinery or driving a car. Percodan addicts and abusers of the drug often find themselves cross-addicted to both Percodan and another drug, usually a "downer". Drugs such as marijuana and benzodiazepines (Xanax, Alzprazolam, etc) often used by Percodan addicts during the "coming down" period if additional Percodan is not readily available.
When an addict does not want to experience the negative withdrawal effects associated when Percodan's pleasurable effects wear off, he or she turns to anxiety-reducing drugs to alleviate symptoms. Thus, by the time the addict enters a drug treatment center, he or she may require a multifaceted detoxification approach. Clinicans will address both addictions and their implications on the body to ensure a safe and effective detoxification process from all mind-altering substances.
Eventually the Percodan addict will be cleansed of all chemicals. At this point most recovering addicts report feeling rejuvenated, grateful for their drug-free physique.
Percodan abuse and addiction means that the person addicted to Percodan cannot abruptly stop using the drug. Doing so invokes adverse reactions. Withdrawal effects from cessation of consistent Percodan use includes:
- Chills
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Yawning and tearing
- Shaking and tremors
- Restlessness
- Feelings of depression and anxiety
- Moods swings
- Irritability
- Muscle aches and bone pain
Withdrawing from Percodan should not be attempted alone. Medical professionals and clinicians at rehabilitation centers are trained in the field of addiction and alcoholism and available 24/7. They strive to assist the patient detoxify from Percodan in the safest, most comfortable manner possible, implementing counter-indicative drugs into the client's treatment regimen in order to combat negative side effects.
Recovery from Percodan addiction is possible. With help and support, someone previously chained to the opiate drug can move forward and find true happiness without depending on drugs. Inpatient drug and alcohol centers specialize in the treatment of substance abuse patients and understand the toll addiction takes on the body and human psyche. From a physical detoxification process to a relearning emotional regulation, the treatment center will foster growth on all levels. Recovering addicts will learn to embrace the concept of replacing unhealthy behaviors with healthy behaviors. Instead of "scoring dope" and getting high on a daily basis, a recovering Percodan addict can play tennis, take an art class, take golf lessons, and go for walks, for example. Over time, the recovering Percodan addict will have integrated healthy activities into their lifestyle in such a way that drug use becomes increasingly unappealing in nature. A belief in a power greater than oneself also is proven to statistically correlate with higher success rates in the realm of drug recovery.
