Percocet Side Effects and Addiction: Help Available at Drug Treatment Centers in St Louis, MO

Percocet is a pain relief medication that combines two ingredients: acetaminophen and oxycodone. Acetaminophen is a milder pain reliever that boosts the pain killing effects of oxycodone, which is a more potent, opioid-type painkiller. Percocet is typically used to treat moderate to severe pain. Percocet is addictive primarily because it contains oxycodone, an opioid drug. In 2015, out of 20.5 million Americans aged 12 or older with a substance use problem, 2 million were struggling with addiction to prescription pain relievers, including Percocet. [1] One of the many issues with abusing prescription painkillers like Percocet is that people often turn to illegal methods to get the drug. They might go to multiple doctors to get more prescriptions or steal from family members. They might also switch to other opioids like heroin and fentanyl. In 2022, according to the University of Missouri, St. Louis Science Addiction Team, 2,178 people died from drug overdoses in the state, and 67% of these deaths involved synthetic opioids like illegal fentanyl. Moreover, over 800 fentanyl-related deaths occurred in the St. Louis Metro region, which is almost three times higher than the second-highest region, the Kansas City Metro, where around 300 deaths occurred. [2]

Percocet may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:

• Dry mouth.
• Stomach pain.
• Drowsiness.
• Flushing.
• Headache.
• Mood changes.

Some side effects can be severe. If you experience any of these symptoms, call your doctor immediately or get emergency medical help:

• Changes in heartbeat.
• Agitation, hallucinations (seeing things or hearing voices that do not exist), fever, sweating, confusion, fast heartbeat, shivering, Severe muscle stiffness or twitching, loss of coordination, or diarrhea.
• Nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, weakness, or dizziness.
• Inability to get or keep an erection.
• Irregular menstruation.
• Chest pain.
• Rash; itching; hives; hoarseness; difficulty breathing or swallowing; or swelling of the face, mouth, tongue, lips, or throat.
• Swelling of the hands, feet, ankles, or lower legs.
• Seizures.
• Extreme drowsiness.

Dealing with Percocet addiction alone can be incredibly tough and painful. If you or someone you know is struggling with Percocet side effects, help is available. St Louis drug treatment centers are ready to provide professional support and care. These facilities offer specialized programs and services designed to assist individuals in overcoming addiction and reclaiming control of their lives. Don’t face this challenge alone—reach out today and take the first step towards recovery.

Find freedom and discover how drug treatment centers in Missouri can help you today!

What Is the Drug Problem in St Louis?

In 2020, St. Louis saw a 29% increase in non-fatal drug overdoses compared to the previous year. Black men and women experienced the highest number of these overdoses where emergency services used Narcan for opioid overdose reversal. Fatal drug overdoses in St. Louis also increased by 30% from 2017 to 2021. During this period, 79% of all drug overdose deaths among Black individuals in Missouri occurred in the St. Louis Metro Region, a slight decrease from 82% the year before. Males experienced 2.5 times more overdose deaths than females, and Black individuals had nearly double the fatalities compared to White individuals. [3]

This table shows the number of overdose deaths for different drugs in St. Louis from 2017 to 2021, highlighting how these numbers have changed each year.

Drug Type	2017	2018	2019	2020	2021
Fentanyl	218	331	348	406	400
Heroin	100	127	67	41	13
Rx Opioid (OxyContin, Percocet, Codeine, Morphine, etc.)	36	36	31	24	28
Cocaine	42	37	58	97	104

 

Is Percocet an Opioid?

Percocet is classified as an opioid medication. It is a combination drug that contains oxycodone. Opioids like oxycodone bind to specific receptors in the brain and nervous system, effectively blocking the transmission of pain signals and thereby providing relief. While effective in managing moderate to severe pain, Percocet also carries a significant risk of dependence and addiction due to its opioid component. This risk necessitates careful prescribing and monitoring by healthcare professionals to mitigate potential misuse. In medical practice, the compassionate use of such powerful medications is balanced with a commitment to patient education about their risks and safe handling to prevent abuse and ensure beneficial outcomes.

When taking Percocet, it’s important to have naloxone accessible, a medication that can reverse the effects of an overdose. Naloxone works by blocking opioids in your system and can be crucial if you experience dangerously high opioid levels. Your doctor might prescribe naloxone if there’s a risk at your home, such as small children or someone who might misuse drugs. Make sure that your family, friends, or caregivers know how to recognize an overdose, use naloxone, and what to do until help arrives. Your doctor or pharmacist can teach you and others how to administer naloxone. You can also find instructions on the manufacturer’s website. If an overdose happens, someone should administer naloxone to you, call 911, and stay with you until emergency services arrive. Since the effects of naloxone can wear off quickly, additional doses might be needed every 2 to 3 minutes if symptoms return before help arrives.

Symptoms of Percocet overdose may include the following:

• Difficulty breathing.
• Slowed or shallow breathing.
• Excessive sleepiness.
• Limp or weak muscles.
• Narrowing or widening of the pupils (dark circle in the eye).
• Cold, clammy skin.
• Unable to respond or wake up.
• Slowed heartbeat.
• Unusual snoring.

The risk of a Percocet overdose escalates significantly when combined with alcohol due to the synergistic effects of these substances on the central nervous system. Both oxycodone, the opioid component of Percocet, and alcohol are central nervous system depressants. When taken together, they can excessively slow breathing and heart rates, potentially leading to life-threatening respiratory depression, unconsciousness, or even death. The liver’s ability to process substances is also hampered when both drugs are present, increasing the likelihood of toxic buildup and liver damage.

Given these dangers, individuals struggling with alcohol use alongside Percocet are encouraged to seek support. AA meetings in St Louis can provide community support and resources for achieving and maintaining long-term abstinence, thus significantly reducing the risks associated with substance use.

Why Are Opioids Addictive?

Opioids are highly addictive for several reasons related to their chemical properties and effects on the human brain and body. Here’s a detailed scientific explanation:

• Activation of Reward Pathways: Opioids bind to opioid receptors in the brain, particularly in areas linked to emotion and reward, such as the limbic system. This binding triggers the release of dopamine, a neurotransmitter that induces pleasure and satisfaction. It reinforces the act of taking the drug and promotes repeated use.
• Development of Tolerance: With regular opioid use, the brain gradually adapts to the drug, reducing its sensitivity to its effects. This phenomenon, known as tolerance, requires users to consume higher doses to achieve the same euphoric or pain-relieving impact, increasing the risk of addiction. For instance, patients on long-term opioid therapy often require dose escalations.
• Physical Dependence: After prolonged use, the body becomes reliant on opioids to function normally. When the drug is not taken, the individual experiences withdrawal symptoms such as pain, severe mood swings, and flu-like symptoms, which can be intense enough to drive them back to drug use as a form of self-medication.
• Psychological Dependence: Beyond physical dependence, opioids can lead to a psychological reliance where users perceive a need for the drug to cope with daily stresses, pain, or emotional distress. This dependence can develop even in the absence of physical withdrawal symptoms.
• Neurobiological Changes: Opioids alter the brain’s neurochemistry and neural pathways. Studies show that long-term opioid use can change the brain’s structure, affecting areas critical for judgment, decision-making, and behavior control, further complicating attempts to stop using the drug.
• Genetic Factors: Approximately 40-60% of susceptibility to addiction is attributed to genetics. Specific genes can affect how opioids are metabolized or how strongly they bind to receptors, influencing an individual’s risk of developing opioid addiction.

The complexity of opioid use underlines the need for careful management and monitoring of medical use and solid support systems for those struggling with addiction.

For individuals seeking treatment for substance use, achieving long-term recovery is a viable goal, and fear should not deter one from pursuing help. Exploring halfway houses in St Louis can be beneficial for sustained recovery outside of a traditional rehab setting. These facilities provide a supportive environment where individuals can continue their recovery journey while gradually reintegrating into daily life. Halfway houses offer structure, peer support, and access to ongoing treatment modalities, which are crucial for maintaining sobriety and preventing relapse. This transitional living option is precious for those transitioning from intensive rehabilitation facilities to independent living.

Recovery from Percocet Side Effects: Drug Treatment Centers in St Louis, Missouri

In the US, more than 50,000 people died from drug overdoses in 2015, and this number increased to over 60,000 the following year—surpassing the combined deaths from homicides and car accidents. About 60% of these overdose deaths are linked to opioids, a category that has seen a staggering 400% increase in fatalities over the past 15 years. Now, drug overdoses are the leading cause of death for Americans under the age of 50. Specifically in Missouri, there were 908 deaths due to opioid overdoses in 2016, with the majority occurring in eastern Missouri, though fatalities are widespread across the state. [4]

Opioid overdoses occur not only from the misuse of illicit drugs such as heroin but are also frequently the result of abusing prescription medications, including fentanyl and Percocet. The dangers associated with these substances, whether obtained illicitly or prescribed, underline the critical need for effective intervention and accessible Missouri drug treatment centers. In response to the significant challenge posed by opioid-related side effects and dependencies, drug treatment centers in St Louis, Missouri, offer specialized recovery programs. These facilities are equipped to address both the physical and psychological aspects of addiction, providing comprehensive support to individuals seeking to overcome dependency on opioids like Percocet.

Take control of your life by reaching out today. Professional help is here to support you every step of the way.

 

Resources:

[1] Center for Behavioral Health Statistics and Quality. (2016). Key substance use and mental health indicators

in the United States: Results from the 2015 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (HHS Publication No.

SMA 16-4984, NSDUH Series H-51). Retrieved from http://www.samhsa.gov/data/

[2] Operation Engage St. Louis – DEA (.gov)

[3] Behavioral Health Disparities by Area – City of St. Louis, MO (.gov)

[4] Lewis L, Carpenter CR, Schwarz ES, Jotte RS, Waller C, Winograd R, Williams R, Stenger S, Rehder H, Governick S, Giuffra L. The Opioid Crisis in Missouri: A Call to Action for Physicians, Legislators, and Society. Mo Med. 2017 Nov-Dec;114(6):440-446. PMID: 30228662; PMCID: PMC6139975.