How To Handle a Percocet Withdrawal
Percocet is the brand name for a drug that combines oxycodone and acetaminophen. This same combination but in different strengths can also be found in the brand name drugs, Roxicet, Tylox and Endocet, but Percocet is by far the most popular prescription painkiller.
Unfortunately, it’s pretty easily prescribed: get a tooth pulled at the dentist or a couple stitches at the doctor’s office and head home with a bottle of Percocet (or at least a script for one). Take them for too long and you end up with something much worse than that: a physical dependence upon Percocet, otherwise known as Percocet addiction.
Now, the acetaminophen in Percocet is relatively innocuous. Though you can overdose on the drug and it can kill you, my understanding is that it would take a couple of weeks and it’s a long, slow, painful death. The oxycodone in Percocet, on the other hand, can end your life with a single overdose depending upon your tolerance. It also impairs your ability to think clearly, to make good decisions and your hand-eye coordination. Driving is extremely dangerous under the influence.
So what’s it like to go through a Percocet withdrawal? Not fun. Just like all opiate painkillers, your body comes to depend upon a certain amount of the drug in your system at all times. When you stop taking it without warning, your body kind of goes into shock, which translates into withdrawal symptoms that are nothing nice. It’s like the flu with fever, sweating and chills, runny nose and eyes, anxiety, nausea, stomach cramps, diarrhea…. I could go on and on. In short, it’s not fun. But there are ways to get off the Percocet without experiencing the withdrawal symptoms that go along with a cold turkey Percocet detox.
Taking advantage of buprenorphine in the form of Suboxone and Subutex is one way to bypass the most fierce symptoms and, in some cases, avoid them altogether. Depending upon what dose you are at and how long you have been maintaining your Percocet addiction, your Suboxone detox will be shorter or longer. With a treatment plan, you can be off it and complete drug-free in as few as six weeks. Check it out!
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March 25th, 2008 at 9:20 am
Very informative post. I really like how you not only provided the Suboxone treatment plan as an option but also pointed out that a good Suboxone treatment plan includes AN END DATE.
March 28th, 2008 at 12:57 am
Yes, Erin! I definitely believe that a definitive end date is a crucial characteristic of a successful Suboxone treatment plan. Otherwise, it becomes a maintenance plan, which isn’t necessarily a bad thing but it is decidedly different and the distinction is important.
April 3rd, 2008 at 4:51 pm
I just wanted people to know the suboxone is great. Not being able to take other pills is awesome. I am cutting back my dose and feel pretty good. I was a heroin addict for years, methadone, oxy’s whatever. I was sober for 5 yrs. till I got strung out on KRATOM 250x. Burned through 10,000 bucks in 6 mos. and picked up a Grand Larceny case. If you have addictive potoential don’t mess with it!!!!
NO-Body know what the hell I am talking about when I mention KRATOM, but the FDA and DAWN will surely get ahold of it’s abuse potential and outlaw it. I am soooo mad for having to go through all this pain and legal stuff over my addiction!!!!!!! Not to mention my life’s savings.
April 3rd, 2008 at 8:33 pm
Wow, D. That is So. Much. Money. Not to be a Pollyanna or anything, but at least you got it in check before grand larceny turned into three strikes or losing your life savings turned into losing your life. Some of us have to REALLY learn our lesson before it sticks. I don’t know anything about Kratom, but you can bet I’ll be looking into it!
April 5th, 2008 at 12:55 am
did not sleep 4 40 nights just a hafe here and there when i walk out of a methodon detox it was whell words can not say was clean 4 6months now been takeing a perk habit way to far no more money or income at this point i hope this is not as bad as the methodone dotox
April 6th, 2008 at 12:30 pm
Hi, I just wanted to say Suboxone was my life saver. I really dont know what i would do without it. My grandmom was perscribed Percocets and i would steal them all the time. At first i was doing it for fun but then i needed them to function. I would have to take 2 30 milligrams perks to feel anything. But then i wouldnt even feel them no more. But i was stealing for my grandmom for almost 2 years. But at the end i got caught by my mom and grandmom so i had to buy them and i really couldnt afford them b/c i needed so many to feel them. But then i went to my Suboxone doctor and thats when my life changed. Ive been clean for 3 months now. And i dont need perks anymore. I really dont know what i would do if i never found out about Suboxone. But i say Suboxone saved my life and my relationship. I just wanna say who ever has an addiction i know you think you cant do it. But you can, I did it. thanks so much!!
April 9th, 2008 at 11:40 am
D izm: It sounds like things are kind of hazy for you right now. Percs are scary, partly because they are so dangerous and so easy to come by. Getting off them can be difficult, but it’s well worth it.
Jennifer: Thanks so much for sharing your story! It’s incredible to hear how people manage to overcome something as toxic and overwhelming as opiate addiction. You had a rough run but you’re turning it around, and I congratulate you and wish you all the best for your continued success.
April 10th, 2008 at 1:09 am
people dont that this take a told on ur family,i love my friend idont want lose them so as of today it is over and any i will not lose my family love. i got to stop myself not for them but for me this is anew begin so i will keep my head up,and keep begin stong I love u all msduck63
April 10th, 2008 at 1:15 am
i would like to try this drug buprenorphine,and fine if it is a drug u can get hook on. Idont want go down that road again
April 11th, 2008 at 2:57 pm
I am addicted to pain killers and am curently popping around 30 a day. 10/650 hydros.I have been doing this for nearly 4 years , is it to late or will this drug help me?