Drug Information - Percoset Addiction

Percocet Addiction

Percocet The addiction is a major risk with prolonged use (over 2-3 weeks) of Percocet. Addictive drugs, such as Percocet activate the brain's reward systems. The promise of reward is very intense, causing the individual to crave Percocet and to focus his or her activities around taking Percocet. The ability of Percocet to strongly activate brain reward mechanisms and its ability to chemically alter the normal functioning of these systems can produce a Percocet addiction. Percocet also reduces a person's level of consciousness, harming their ability to think or be fully aware of present surroundings. Percocet addiction is a pattern of compulsive Percocet use characterized by a continued craving for Percocet and the need to use Percocet for psychological effects or mood alterations. Many individuals who have formed an addiction to Percocet find that they need to use it to feel "normal." They exhibit drug-seeking behavior and are often preoccupied with using and obtaining Percocet. They obtain Percocet through legal or illegal sources. Who is at risk for Percocet addiction? The risk for Percocet addiction is greatest among women, seniors, and adolescents. Women are two to three times more likely than men to be prescribed drugs such as Percocet; they are also about two times more likely to form an addiction to Percocet. This stems in large part from the fact that women are more likely to seek medical attention for emotional/physical problems. Seniors take more drugs than the rest of the population, increasing their odds of becoming addicted. Finally, 1999 national studies show that the sharpest increase of users of prescription drugs for nonmedical purposes occurs in the 12 to 17 and 18 to 25 age groups. Percocet is a narcotic (oxycodone) and acetaminophen combination. They are combined to get a synergistic effect on pain. Oxycodone is similar to other narcotics in terms of effect and addiction. Acetaminophen is better known as Tylenol. Percocet addiction can affect the young, middle aged, or elderly. Individuals addicted to Percocet may come from any walk of life, hold entry level or high positions, be parents or grandparents, single or married. Often, the addiction to percocet develops without the individual realizing it until it begins to control their life. When an individual exceeds the dosage prescribed or seeks to obtain Percocet after the time prescribed by their physician, they should be awear of the posibility that they have developed a Percocet addiction. Abruptly stoping or reducing the intake of Percocet can cause severe withdrawal symptoms. These begin six to eight hours after the last dosage. Percocet Withdrawal symptoms include but are not limited to: ? feeling as though you have the flu ? gastrointestinal distress ? anxiety ? nausea ? insomnia ? muscle pain ? fevers ? sweating ? runny nose and eyes Percocet when abused can be taken orally in pill form, chewed, or crushed (then snorted like cocaine). Percocet addiction is a major risk with prolonged use (over 2-3 weeks) of. Even moderate doses of Percocet can result in a fatal overdose. When increasing doses of Percocet an individual may at first feel restless and nauseous and then progress to loss of consciousness and abnormal breathing. Other risks include withdrawal symptoms that may last for months as well as the risk of overdose. Everyone's body is different but as little as half a pill of Percodan when combined with other depressants can lower your respiratory system enough to kill you. Taken in high doses these Percodan tablets alone can kill you. Symptoms of a Percocet Overdose include: ? stupor ? coma ? skeletal muscle flaccidity ? cold and clammy skin ? hypertension ? circulatory collapse ? cardiac arrest