What are Perc Drugs? What Do Percs Do? Percocet Addiction Signs, Symptoms, & Treatment

Percocet reduces intestinal motility. This often causes constipation and difficulty with bowel movements. Percocet addiction should not be taken lightly because of its profound effects.


What Is a Percocet Addiction?

Oxycodone is an opioid agonist of the morphine type. Such drugs are sought by drug abusers and people with addiction disorders and are subject to criminal diversion. Oxycodone can be abused like other opioid agonists, legal or illicit.

This should be considered when prescribing or dispensing Percs (percocet) tablets when the physician or pharmacist is concerned about an increased risk of misuse, substance abuse, or diversion. However, concerns about misuse, addiction, and diversion should not prevent the proper management of pain; in this war on drugs, including prescription drugs, the patients who need them also suffer. [1]

Opioids like Percocet activate the brain’s reward center. So you can become addicted to the way the drug makes you feel. But over time, the drug will stop working as well as it used to, and you’ll need to take more medicine to achieve the same effect.

Possible Signs Of Perco Addiction

Percocet has several possible side effects. Identifying these side effects in someone using the drug can help you spot abuse.

Opioid Painkillers Like Percocet Produce Symptoms Including:

  • Confusion.
  • Mood swings.
  • Depression.
  • Difficulty sleeping or sleeping too much.
  • Low blood pressure.
  • Reduced breathing rate.
  • Sweating.
  • Difficulty with coordination.

Social Signs of Percs/Percocet Addiction

Percocet can be difficult to obtain because it requires a prescription. Many people cannot obtain enough Percocet through legal means, such as a prescription from a doctor. Therefore, people who are addicted may try anything to get the drug.

Individuals addicted may turn to stealing medication from friends, family members, or strangers or forging prescriptions. They may pretend to lose their drug or frequently request new ones. They may file false police reports so pharmacies will give them more medication. Some addicts will also visit multiple doctors or pharmacies, so they aren’t as likely to get caught.

Percocet addiction can affect work performance and personal relationships.  In addition, people who abuse Percocet sometimes engage in risky behaviors.  This may lead to motor vehicle accidents or accidents that cause bodily harm.  People who are addicted may also find themselves involved in criminal activity, especially if they decide to steal, forge a prescription, or lie to get more pills. [2]

Percocet addiction and use can cause a person to develop obvious mannerisms like appearing high or unusually excitable. Alternately, some people also appear sedated or excessively tired.

What is Perc 10?

“Perc 10” is a colloquial term used to refer to a specific dosage strength of the prescription medication Percocet. It signifies a tablet that contains 10 milligrams of oxycodone, which is an opioid pain reliever, combined with acetaminophen. The term “Perc” is often used as a shorthand for “Percocet,” and the number following it indicates the dosage of oxycodone in milligrams.

Percocet Drug Facts

Percocet Overview

Percocet is a prescription medication that combines two active ingredients: oxycodone and acetaminophen. Oxycodone is an opioid pain reliever, while acetaminophen is a non-opioid pain reliever and fever reducer. It is primarily used to manage moderate to severe pain.

Usage

  • Pain Relief: Percocet is prescribed to manage pain after surgery, injury, dental procedures, or chronic pain conditions.
  • Dosage Forms: Available in tablet form, with varying strengths of oxycodone and acetaminophen.

Key Information

  • Opioid Component: Oxycodone is a potent opioid agonist that binds to opioid receptors in the brain, spinal cord, and other areas, reducing pain perception.
  • Combination: Including acetaminophen enhances the pain-relieving effects of oxycodone and can help reduce the overall opioid dosage needed for pain relief.

Dosage and Administration

  • Prescription Only: Requires a doctor’s prescription to obtain.
  • Individualized: Dosage varies based on the patient’s pain level, medical history, and response to treatment.
  • Short-Term Use: Typically prescribed for short-term pain management.

Potential Side Effects

  • Common: Nausea, dizziness, drowsiness, constipation, and dry mouth.
  • Severe: Respiratory depression, sedation, addiction, physical dependence, liver damage (due to acetaminophen), and withdrawal symptoms upon discontinuation.

Warnings and Precautions

  • Addiction Risk: Percocet contains an opioid, which has the potential for addiction, abuse, and misuse.
  • Respiratory Depression: Taking too much Percocet can lead to slow or shallow breathing, which can be life-threatening.
  • Liver Health: Overusing or misusing Percocet can lead to severe liver damage due to the acetaminophen content.

Pregnancy and Breastfeeding

  • Caution: Percocet should be used cautiously during pregnancy, especially in the first trimester.
  • Breastfeeding: Small amounts of oxycodone and acetaminophen are excreted into breast milk. Consult a healthcare provider before breastfeeding while using Percocet.

Interactions

  • Drug Interactions: Percocet may interact with other medications, including certain antidepressants, antihistamines, and other opioids.
  • Alcohol: Mixing Percocet with alcohol can increase the risk of respiratory depression, drowsiness, and other adverse effects.

Important Notes

  • Doctor’s Guidance: Percocet should only be used as directed by a qualified healthcare professional. Never exceed the prescribed dose, and follow all instructions for safe use.

This fact sheet provides a general overview of Percocet. Always consult your healthcare provider for personalized medical advice and information before using any medication.

Percocet Addiction Statistics

Percocet statistics revealed that addiction to this prescription opioid painkiller is a significant issue, even in those who begin taking the drug for legitimate purposes. Detoxing from Percocet is something that a treatment clinic or medical professional can manage in a way that allows someone to avoid many negative feelings. 


In 2015–2018, 5.7% of U.S. adults used one or more prescription opioids.

Source: CDC

In 2015–2018, 10.7% of U.S. adults aged 20 overused one or more prescription pain medications (opioid or nonopioid) in the past 30 days.

Source: CDC

Nearly 92,000 persons in the U.S. died from a drug-involved overdose in 2020, including illicit drugs and prescription opioids.

Source: NIDA


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Side Effects Of Percocet

In rare cases, acetaminophen may cause a severe skin reaction that can be fatal. This could occur even if you have taken acetaminophen or Tylenol in the past and had no response. Stop taking this medication and call your doctor immediately if you have skin redness or a rash that spreads and causes blistering and peeling.

Oxycodone can slow or stop your breathing, and death may occur. A person caring for you should give naloxone and seek emergency medical attention if you have slow breathing, long pauses, blue-colored lips, or are hard to wake up.

This drug interacts with specific opioid receptors and provides feelings of pain relief, relaxation, and euphoria. The most common side effects include:

  • Lightheadedness.
  • Dizziness.
  • Drowsiness.
  • Sedation.
  • Nausea.
  • Vomiting.

Other side effects of Percocet include slow breathing, constipation, reduced heart function, and cough suppression.

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Percocet Addiction & Overdose

Call emergency help immediately if you or someone else has taken too much Percocet or if someone experiences any of the symptoms of a drug overdose, including:

  • Slow breathing.
  • Slow heart rate.
  • Unresponsiveness.
  • Constricted pupils.
  • Vomiting.
  • Loss of consciousness.
Naloxone can reverse overdoses from heroin and other painkillers. You need it most if you or a loved one is struggling with Percocet addiction.
Naloxone can reverse overdoses from heroin and other painkillers. You need it most if you or a loved one is struggling with Percocet addiction.

Your doctor may recommend you get naloxone (a medicine to reverse an opioid overdose) and always keep it with you. A person caring for you can give them naloxone if you stop breathing or don’t wake up. However, your caregiver must still get emergency medical help and may need CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) on you while waiting for help to arrive.

Anyone can buy naloxone from a pharmacy or local health department. Ensure anyone caring for you knows where you keep naloxone and how to use it.

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Percocet Addiction Treatment Options

If you are suffering from an addiction to Percocet, please know that help is available. Contact a substance abuse professional to learn about the available treatment options to help you overcome dependence on these drugs.

Due to the harmful and highly uncomfortable symptoms you can experience during opioid withdrawal. It may be best to undergo medically supervised detox in a medical facility or detox center. In addition, some medications can be given to you to help minimize cravings and reduce withdrawal symptoms.

After completing detox, you will be ready for the rehab step of treatment, which can be done outpatient or in an inpatient residential program. Although treatment plans will vary based on your specific needs and situation, most programs incorporate some forms of individual counseling, group counseling, and family counseling. In addition, behavioral therapy is often a critical component of treatment that will identify and address the underlying causes of your addiction to Percocet.

We Level Up New Jersey Comfortable Drug Detox Program For Percocet Addiction

 We are assuring both your safety and comfort as you fight against Percocet addiction.
We assure your safety and comfort as you fight against Percocet addiction.

Treatment for Percocet addiction often requires several approaches. It may seem ironic, but prescription medications may help people addicted to prescription medications quit and recover from their addiction. In addition, medications are often needed to help treat the symptoms caused by detoxification and withdrawal. This may make kicking the addiction easier.

Just stopping using can cause severe mental distress for anyone suffering from addiction. But, with the help of a medical detox center, the medical detox process is managed. In addition, a comprehensive team prescribing medications can alleviate your withdrawal pains while monitoring your health 24 hours. 

We Level Up NJ’s thorough approach to rehabilitation supports several levels of care to ensure the best possible outcome for every patient who enters our doors. From an intensive and more supportive atmosphere for those in the early days of recovery to a comfortable residential-style living dynamic upon completion of detox, we are here to help guide you down the safe and results-based path to your sobriety.

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Dual Diagnosis Treatment For Percocet Addiction

Because many addictions coincide with another disorder, you must find a rehab specializing in treating co-occurring conditions. This requires that the inpatient drug rehab understands the importance of taking the time to discover if another disorder at hand may be playing into a substance use disorder before treating only the substance abuse. For example, a thorough investigation of an individual’s mental health condition before treatment will receive the most effective and comprehensive treatment for their addiction and mental health disorder. 

This only strengthens their chances of maintaining their sobriety upon leaving the inpatient drug rehab facility.

Recovering from Percocet addiction does not need to be overwhelming or burdensome. With supervision from an inpatient drug rehab, like We Level Up New Jersey, you will be on the way to lifelong sobriety. 

As such, don’t hold advancing in your sobriety. Instead, reach out today, and a dedicated and compassionate admissions specialist will answer any questions and handle any concerns about going to an inpatient drug rehab.

Your call is private and confidential, and there is never any obligation.

  1. Is Percocet addictive?

    If you are wondering, “are Percocets addictive?”, the answer is that when people take more Percocet than is recommended or shatter the pills and snort them, they abuse the medication. This amplifies the drug’s effects and can quickly result in addiction. Combined with other drugs or alcohol, it is also misused. By raising dopamine levels in the brain, a neurotransmitter linked to pleasure, Percocet impacts the brain. This might cause a Percocet high and encourage addiction.

  2. How to know if someone is addicted to Percocet?

    The signs of Percocet addiction are confusion, mood swings, depression, difficulty sleeping or sleeping too much, low blood pressure, reduced breathing rate, sweating, and difficulty with coordination.

  3. How addictive are Percocets?

    If you are wondering, “how addictive is Percocet?”, the answer is the opioid Percocet has the potential to lead to addiction. A Percocet addict who needs help can contact an opioid addiction treatment center. All painkillers are not created equal.

  4. How long does it take to get addicted to Percocet?

    Addiction to opioids is quite strong. After 3-5 days of taking a prescribed painkiller, a person is at risk of developing an opioid addiction. About 3/4 of people who use heroin began by abusing opiate painkillers.

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Percocet Prescription Drug Abuse Informative Video

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Sources
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    mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/prescription-drug-abuse/basics/definition/con-20032471
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  3. Signs and symptoms of prescription pain reliever abuse. (n.d.)
    narconon.org/drug-abuse/signs-symptoms-pain-relievers.html
  4. Topics in brief: Prescription drug abuse. (2015, November). Retrieved from
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  6. Rx List (2014). Common Side Effects of Percocet. Retrieved on 18th March 2014 from https://www.rxlist.com/percocet-side-effects-drug-center.htm
  7. WebMD. (2014). Percocet. Retrieved on 18th March 2014 from https://www.webmd.com/drugs/2/drug-7277/percocet-oral/details
  8. Hedegaard H, Chen LH, Warner M. Drug-poisoning deaths involving heroin: United States, 2000–2013.
    NCHS data brief, no 190. Hyattsville, MD: National Center for Health Statistics. 2015. Available at
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