Percocet hijacks the brain’s natural reward pathways and makes us seek out and use the drug even when we know it is harmful.

Our reward system is designed to keep us alive as a species and reward us for beneficial tasks such as eating, exercising, and having sex. Your brain releases a small amount of the neurotransmitter dopamine and natural opioids to keep you doing these activities. These chemicals cause you to enjoy the experience and want to repeat it.

When you use Percocet, you are replacing the natural opioids your brain uses to regulate itself with a much larger amount than normal. This results in a huge dopamine release and intense feelings of pleasure and euphoria. Your brain produces urges to use the drug again, which can be very strong and hard to ignore.

When you use Percocet repeatedly, the receptors adjust to the higher levels of opioids and become less and less sensitive. You become dependent on the drug just to feel normal.

If we take Percocet for extended periods, our bodies stop producing natural opioids and dopamine. Eventually, it will start again, but it takes time to restore itself to equilibrium. When our body does nott have natural opioids to regulate itself, it goes into shock – these are the withdrawal symptoms.

The chance that you will develop a physical addiction to Percocet increases the longer you use it.

The risk of addiction is greatest among women, seniors, and teenagers. Women are also about twice as likely to form a physical and psychological dependence as men. At Cirque Lodge, we offer a treatment program specifically for women.

Percocet addiction can develop even if you use it exactly as your prescription describes. However, if you abuse Percocet, it is much more likely. Due to the potential for abuse, prescribing Percocet is regulated in United States law.

What Are the Dangers of a Percocet Overdose?

One of the greatest risks of Percocet abuse is overdose.  A National Center for Health Statistics report found that deaths involving prescription opioids like Percocet quadrupled between 1999 and 2019. Drug overdose was the biggest cause of injury-related death in the United States in 2019.

Opioids are sedatives that slow your breathing. In too high doses, this can result in death.

An opioid overdose can be identified by a combination of three signs and symptoms:

• Pinpoint pupils
• Unconsciousness
• Difficulties with breathing

Opioid overdose requires immediate medical treatment. It is possible to completely reverse the effects of an overdose with drugs such as Naloxone if they can be administered in time.

Paracetamol Overdose

One often overlooked fact about Percocet is the paracetamol content. While oxycodone is dangerous, paracetamol is harmful in its own right. One tablet of Percocet contains between 375-650mg of paracetamol. The FDA recommends that you do not take more than 4000mg of paracetamol daily, and just 7000mg is enough to cause liver damage.

Because users typically build up an oxycodone tolerance, it is common to accidentally take far more than the advised dose of paracetamol. Paracetamol is not psychoactive, but it does cause liver damage and sometimes death in high doses. When we admit clients, we always carry out a liver function test. This allows us to see if you have done any damage to your liver so we can account for this in your individualized treatment plan.

It can be hard to tell if you or your loved one has opioid use disorder. The following signs and side effects can help you identify addiction.

Physical and psychological signs:

• Confusion
• Mood swings
• Depression
• Sleeping difficulties
• Low blood pressure
• Lower reduced breathing rate
• Sweating
• Coordination difficulties
• Constipation

Behavioral and social signs:

• Using fake prescriptions
• Stealing and lying to obtain Percocet
• Getting prescriptions from multiple doctors

If you recognize any of these symptoms, please contact us at Cirque Lodge immediately. One of our compassionate medical professionals can answer any questions you may have and guide you through the next steps.

If you repeatedly use Percocet, you may develop a chemical dependency on the drug.

As your body adjusts to the presence of Percocet in the body, it decreases the amount of dopamine, and its natural production of opioids diminishes. You become reliant on Percocet to function normally.

When you stop using Percocet, you may experience withdrawal symptoms as your body readjusts. These symptoms can be extremely uncomfortable and even dangerous. It is vital that withdrawal is gradual and supervised by medical professionals.

Withdrawal symptoms usually begin six to eight hours after the last dose and may include:

• Flu-like feelings
• Gastrointestinal discomfort
• Insomnia
• Anxiety
• Nausea and vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Muscle pain
• Runny nose and eyes
• Seizures
• Convulsions

Detox is usually the first stage of Percocet addiction treatment.

Detox involves removing all traces of a drug and its toxins from your body. If unsupervised, detox can be a difficult and even dangerous process. At Cirque Lodge, detox takes place under the 24-hour supervision of medical professionals.

Our detox facilities are luxurious and comfortable, and our staff is always available to cater to your needs and make the process as easy as possible. They may prescribe you medication to help ease uncomfortable symptoms if necessary.

However, it began, prescription drug addiction can take over your life.

It may be difficult to imagine living without Percocet. However, substance use disorder is treatable, and with the proper support, anyone can overcome addiction.

At Cirque Lodge, we offer an individualized treatment program that aims to heal the entire person. Our holistic approach helps reconnect you with your mind, body, and spirit and rediscover your love of life without addiction. You will find us in the heart of the spectacular Rocky Mountains, the perfect place to find inspiration for your journey ahead.

Our rehabilitation program is underpinned by the 12-steps, one of the most well-known and effective addiction treatment methods. A powerful tool for spiritual development, the 12-steps focus on remaining abstinent through helping others.

We also offer:

• Cognitive-behavioral therapy
• Experiential therapy
• Dual diagnosis
• Individual and group therapy
• Psychoeducational lectures
• Family therapy
• 12-step program
• Continuing care

Holistic Treatment

Our holistic treatment approach involves a dual diagnosis program that focuses on identifying and treating any co-occurring disorders and mental health issues that may underlie your addiction. We also dedicate time to treating the entire family during Family Week, when we invite the client’s family to our center for four days every three weeks.

Continuing Care

Addiction rehabilitation can open the door to a life free from addiction. However, recovery is a lifelong process that requires ongoing support.

When you leave our treatment center, we provide you with an individualized aftercare plan to guide you through the years ahead. We connect you with local and online support groups, and you can also join our alumni program to stay connected to the place you become sober.