Use this helpful guide to find out everything you need to know about Percodan, its side effects, and warning signs of addiction.
1. What is Percodan and What is it Used For?
2. Other Names for Percodan
3. Percodan Side Effects
4. How Addiction to Percodan Develops
5. Signs and Symptoms of Percodan Dependence and Addiction
6. Percodan Withdrawal Symptoms
7. Percodan Overdose
8. Percodan Addiction Help
9. Do You Need Inpatient or Outpatient Treatment?
10. What to Expect from Percodan Addiction Treatment
Percodan is a type of opioid medication that may be prescribed to relieve moderate to severe pain, usually after an injury or surgery. Besides pain relief, it can give users a relaxed or euphoric feeling leading to a high potential for dependence or misuse.
Overcoming Percodan dependence usually requires the help of professionals trained in the field of addiction recovery. With the help of one of the best Percodan addiction treatment centers, you or a loved one can overcome addiction to Percodan and learn what to do if you feel compelled to misuse it in the future.
What is Percodan and What is it Used For?
Percodan is a brand name of a combination drug that is a mixture of oxycodone and aspirin. Oxycodone is an opioid analgesic. Aspirin is a salicylate drug that can reduce inflammation, fever and pain, and it’s also known as an anti-inflammatory analgesic. Combining these two drugs gives greater pain relief than either drug alone.
Percodan may be prescribed for pain relief when other types of pain medication have been ineffective or couldn’t be tolerated. Other reasons Percodan may be prescribed include relief of migraines, dental pain, back pain and pain in joints or muscles. Because of its high potential for misuse, it’s important to take Percodan exactly as prescribed. Patients should avoid taking higher doses or taking the drug more often than prescribed. Whenever pain medication isn’t working to control pain, contact your doctor rather than trying to increase the dose of strong medication on your own.
Other Names for Percodan
Another brand name for oxycodone-aspirin is Endodan.
Percodan may be referred to by a variety of different names on the street including:
- O.C.
- Oxy
- Oxycotton
- Hillbilly heroin
- Percs
Percodan Side Effects
Strong prescription drugs such as opioids often come with unwanted side effects.
Some side effects that you may experience when you take Percodan include:
- Blurred vision
- Confusion
- Constipation
- Agitation or restlessness
- Lack of coordination
- Fainting
- Decreased appetite
- Tremors
- Tiredness, sleepiness or weakness
- Dizziness
- Heartburn
- Upset stomach
How Addiction to Percodan Develops
Since Percodan contains oxycodone, it can be a very addictive substance. It’s classified as a Schedule II controlled substance. These are narcotics that can lead to significant psychological or physical dependence, and they have a high potential for abuse. Like other drugs that contain oxycodone, Percodan works by binding to opioid receptors in the brain, which can relieve very intense pain. This can affect the release of mood-related neurotransmitters in the brain and lead to a relaxed, euphoric high.
Percodan and other opioids can be misused by taking more pills than prescribed or taking pills that weren’t prescribed to you. Pills can be crushed and snorted, smoked, or diluted with water and injected. Misuse also includes taking medication that belongs to someone else or taking the medication only for its effects.
Whenever opioids are used for a long time or taken in a way other than prescribed, they can become habit-forming. You may begin to feel that it takes more of the drug than it used to in order to obtain the effect you’re looking for, so you may try to “lose” your prescription in an effort to get the doctor to prescribe another dose. You may find yourself lying to loved ones about how much you’re taking or trying to avoid participating in any activities unless you are under the influence of Percodan or other opioids.
Signs and Symptoms of Percodan Dependence and Addiction
Dependence and addiction can develop subtly and without warning. Most people who misuse substances believe they can quit whenever they want to, but the compulsion to keep returning to substance abuse can be very overpowering.
There are some telltale signs of Percodan dependence and addiction, which include:
- Requiring larger doses to obtain the desired effect
- Attempting to forge prescriptions or trying to obtain prescriptions from more than one doctor
- Stealing from or lying to loved ones to obtain more of the substance
- Losing interest in other activities that used to bring pleasure
- Continuing to misuse substances in spite of negative consequences such as job loss, relationship conflict, financial difficulties or legal problems
- Feeling strong cravings for the drug
- Experiencing withdrawal symptoms if you try to quit using Percodan
Percodan Withdrawal Symptoms
Physical and psychological dependence can trigger withdrawal symptoms if you try to stop taking Percodan suddenly. These symptoms may also happen if you have been using Percodan exactly as prescribed and try to suddenly stop.
Withdrawal symptoms you may experience include:
- Abdominal cramps
- Nausea
- Diarrhea
- Sweating
- Chills
- Joint or muscle pain
- Agitation or anxiety
Withdrawal from opioids is not usually life-threatening, but it’s very uncomfortable. Because of the extreme discomfort you may experience, if you try to discontinue use without help, you may reach for more Percodan just to stop the intensity of the withdrawal symptoms. Continuing to misuse opioids puts you at risk of overdose. If you’ve been misusing other substances at the same time, it’s even more important to get help from addiction professionals to get through withdrawal safely.
Percodan Overdose
Addiction is a progressive disease and almost always gets worse if it isn’t treated. The compulsion to use higher doses of Percodan than the doctor prescribed puts you at risk for taking more of this drug than your body can handle.
Signs of a Percodan overdose include:
- Inability to stay awake
- Fainting or lightheadedness
- Difficulty breathing
- Low blood pressure
- Rapid heartbeat
- Confusion
- Severe sweating
- Cold, clammy skin
- Seizures
- Ringing or buzzing in the ear
One of the most dangerous things that may happen during a Percodan overdose is that breathing may slow or stop, leading to oxygen deprivation. If you suspect a loved one has overdosed on Percodan or other substances, call 911 immediately.
Percodan Addiction Help
Drug addiction is a treatable disorder, and it’s possible to get help for addiction to Percodan or other mind-altering substances. If you’re an addict, there’s a good chance you won’t be able to overcome the compulsion to use opioids without help.
Addiction from substance use disorder begins with getting all substances out of your system, but this is only the beginning. Misuse of mind-altering substances can alter the structure and function of the brain. Part of the brain that may be affected is the part that allows you to use some self-control when it comes to using substances.
When you’re ready to get Percodan addiction help, a good place to start is to talk to your own doctor. You can also reach out to a counselor or an addiction professional.
Do You Need Inpatient or Outpatient Treatment?
Treatment for drug addiction can be done on either an inpatient or an outpatient basis. The decision regarding which is better for you will be determined by both you and your doctor or counselor.
If you’re addicted to multiple substances, withdrawing from them can be dangerous or even life-threatening. A residential facility gives you the opportunity to go through withdrawal under around-the-clock medical supervision. Medical professionals on staff may be able to give you medication to help reduce the severity of your symptoms.
Even if the only substance you’ve been misusing is Percodan, staying at a residential facility for a period of time gives you a chance to give early recovery your total attention. At a Percodan rehab center, you’ll be able to take advantage of many different kinds of therapy and support groups, which can give you a good foundation for future and ongoing recovery. Another advantage of inpatient treatment is being able to distance yourself for a period of time from people who might encourage you to continue to misuse substances.
If your addiction is mild and you have multiple responsibilities, you may be able to start your recovery journey at an outpatient treatment program. This allows you to continue to meet your day-to-day responsibilities such as work, school or childcare while attending therapy sessions and support groups. You’ll need to be committed to following the treatment plan laid out by your doctor.
Talk to your doctor or counselor and members of your family. If you’re considering inpatient treatment, visit more than one facility and ask questions. Bring a loved one with you to help consider your choices and think about what features are most important to you. Talk to addiction professionals about your options and the type of treatment that would work best in your case, and then get help as soon as you can.
What to Expect from Percodan Addiction Treatment
For many people, making the decision to ask for help and try to find the best Percodan addiction treatment facility seems pretty scary, so knowing what to expect may help. At a treatment center, the initial phase is detoxification. As all traces of substances leave your system, you’ll be supervised by medical professionals to keep you safe.
Once there are no more mind-altering chemicals in your system, you’re ready to learn more about the disease of addiction. Your treatment will include education, support groups and different types of therapy.
It’s extremely important to get in the habit of participating in support groups. They will be the lifeline of your recovery once you get out of rehab. You’ll share what you’ve gone through with other people who have had similar experiences and together you’ll learn new coping skills and better ways of thinking while offering each other support. Relying on others will give you the strength to resist the temptation to turn to substances when you experience cravings or turbulent emotions.
Using evidence-based therapies, you’ll begin to get in touch with deep-rooted feelings that may have triggered you to begin misusing substances. At the best Percodan addiction treatment centers, your time in treatment will also include learning new ways to cope with anxiety or upsetting feelings. This may include mindfulness, yoga, progressive muscle relaxation, music therapy or art therapy. Addiction almost always affects all members of the family, so your family may be encouraged to get involved in family therapy.
Substance misuse can be difficult to overcome, but with the help of experts in the field of addiction recovery, you’ll be able to learn to live a life that doesn’t require dependence on Percodan or any other mind-altering chemical. While you won’t be magically cured, Percodan rehab will help you to get on the right track and will help you to know what you need to do to stay sober once you get out.
