Legacy Healing Center Blog

Understanding the Symptoms of Percocet Withdrawal

Percocet is a potent prescription painkiller, but its potential for abuse is just as high. The fact that Percocet is a legally prescribed drug, combined with its addictive nature and widespread use, has created a perfect storm of potential for dependence.  Detoxing from Percocet demands professional help and guidance during the withdrawal process.

Addiction to Percocet will only worsen over time if left untreated.  Many addicts will try to quit Percocet on their own, creating a dangerous situation as the serious withdrawal symptoms set in. To ensure Percocet withdrawal does not hinder recovery, finding a medical facility where you can detox in a safe environment provides the ideal level of support to combat addiction to Percocet.

What Is Percocet?

Percocet is a combination of oxycodone and acetaminophen.  It is a highly effective and powerful opioid painkiller, often used to treat moderate to severe pain. Percocet may treat pain due to chronic illnesses like cancer or ease the discomfort that usually follows an operation or a trauma.

Percocet and similar drugs may also be used to treat chronic pain, but their use always comes with the risk of addiction. Like other medications of its class, Percocet can be physically addictive, creating a powerful hold on the people who use it and increasing the risk of an overdose.

Percocet Abuse and Addiction

Like other opioid drugs, Percocet has become a readily abused drug in America, and there are many possible paths to physical dependency. No matter the root cause of the habit, help is needed to break the chains of physical dependence. Percocet, and other opioids, create a powerful hold on the body, and breaking those chains of addiction requires specialized care.

Percocet Withdrawal Timeline

As with many other similar opioid medications, Percocet is physically addictive, with a powerful hold that can be extremely difficult to break. That is why it is so essential for anyone addicted to Percocet to forgo attempts to detox at home and instead, seek professional medical help for opioid detox.

Any successful attempt at recovery from Percocet addiction must begin with an understanding of the withdrawal timeline. Every stage of Percocet withdrawal has some unique characteristics, with its own set of withdrawal symptoms. Here is what you can expect when you or someone you care about begins to withdraw from this powerful prescription drug.

The Initial Phase

The initial phase of Percocet withdrawal will begin within hours of the last dose. However, the exact timeline will depend on how long the individual has been using and the severity of their addiction. Some of the initial withdrawal symptoms may include:

• Sweating
• Aches and pains
• Watery eyes
• Runny nose
• Goosebumps
• Chills
• Hot flashes

The Middle Phase

This stage of Percocet withdrawal will begin between two or three days after last use. Symptoms at this stage of withdrawal include:

• A worsening of aches and pains
• Tremors
• Cramping
• Diarrhea
• Vomiting
• Nausea
• Fatigue and insomnia
• Irritability

The Final Phase

This stage of Percocet withdrawal takes place four to seven days after last use. At this stage of the detox process, you can expect to see:

• Cravings
• Continued psychological longings

These psychological symptoms can be quite severe, but the drug’s physical impact will have begun to wane by now. As the body heals from its addiction, the importance of psychological support and guidance will only become greater, and working with a quality rehab center is critical. At Legacy Healing Center, we understand the entire Percocet withdrawal timeline and we provide expert guidance throughout the entire opioid detox and rehab process.

Medical Detox and Rehab Treatment for Percocet Addiction

Addiction to drugs like Percocet does not happen overnight, but dependence can develop very quickly. As the drug’s initial effects begin to fade, those who are developing a dependency may ramp up their usage, creating a vicious cycle that worsens until a full-fledged addiction has been completed.

However, the fast development of addiction does not mean that getting off Percocet should be a rapid process. On the contrary, the cold turkey approach to quitting Percocet is rarely effective and often dangerous.

That is why it is so important for those addicted to Percocet to get help with their addiction. The medical detox approach to quitting Percocet is the most effective, and the process must take place in a safe, comfortable, and controlled environment. Medically assisted treatment (MAT) is designed to slowly wean the addict off Percocet, giving the body time to heal and make the rest of the rehab process more accessible and effective.

This slow tapering is at the heart of the treatment Legacy Healing Center provides, all designed to keep you safe and comfortable while your body cleanses itself of these dangerous toxins. If you are ready to get help with your Percocet addiction, we are here to help, and the healing you need is only a phone call away at 888-534-2295.