Percocet Abuse and Addiction

Many people still believe that as long as a drug has been prescribed it’s perfectly safe, but this is disputed by the growing number of prescription drug addicts, and specifically the growing instances of Percocet abuse. Unfortunately, some people have the misconception that as long as a drug is prescribed, you can take it as often as you want in whatever amounts you want, and you’ll be magically protected because it’s “prescription.” This often leads people to take too much Percocet at once or a combination of Percocet and other similar drugs, leading to convulsions, confusion, coma and sometimes death.

For those that don’t risk overdose, there’s always the danger of Percocet abuse. How do you know when someone is abusing the drug? Percocet abuse can be hard to detect. Even if you suspect that someone is abusing drugs or is an addict, it can be very difficult to pin down which drug or drugs they’re using. Without the telltale signs of meth or heroine addiction, for instance, there’s almost no way to know if Percocet abuse is the problem, or if other drugs are to blame. If the user doesn’t tell you that it’s Percocet or you don’t see him or her abusing drugs, you can’t be sure which pain medication the person is likely abusing.

Percocet is considered an amazing drug. It’s not just a narcotic that soothes, lulls and prompts sleep, it’s a powerful pain reliever that combines oxycodone and acetaminophen, two of the standards of pain relief today. Acetaminophen is a commonly found substance in over the counter pain medication. But oxycodone is a highly addictive narcotic, also sold under the brand name Oxycontin.

Percocet works by attaching to your body’s pain receptors and preventing them from sending the signal to you to be in pain. It’s highly effective in almost all cases at relieving even severe pain. But it’s that same effectiveness that creates the problem of Percocet abuse. Because those receptors learn to expect the drug, addiction can develop very quickly, especially with regular use.

Those who purchase the drug illegally through the Internet, particularly youths who do so, not only risk becoming addicted but they risk serious consequences like overdosing, and damaging their bodily systems. Long-term use of Percocet as occurs with Percocet abuse slows the lungs down and makes breathing a slower, more shallow process. It also impedes liver function until eventually the liver will stop working altogether.

Percocet abuse is a serious problem that needs to be addressed with medical treatment and supervision. Because withdrawal symptoms occur within only a few hours after a missed dose and can be severe, a person should only stop while in a safe environment. Many who try find that the withdrawal is unpleasant enough to warrant purchasing more of the drug. Even if their initial prescription was legitimate, no doctor will keep a patient on Percocet for very long. This is where the sites selling the drug illegally stay in business–selling to addicts who’ve used up their refills already.