866-797-7962Percocet Withdrawal Timeline, Symptoms, and Treatment
Medically Verified: 2/1/24
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All of the information on this page has been reviewed and verified by a certified addiction professional.
The United States is facing an opioid abuse epidemic with no end in sight. The latest wave of opioid abuse began in the 1990s and has exploded over the past three decades. Since the early 200s, the number of people showing up in the emergency room for opioid abuse has shot up by nearly 152%. By 2013, 46% of medical emergencies related to drug abuse were attributed to opioid abuse. Research on the subject of opioid abuse suggests that about 35,000 people around the world die each year as a direct result of opioid abuse.[1]
These numbers are startling. Opioid abuse often begins when people receive a prescription for painkillers. One of the most common prescription opioid painkillers is Percocet. While Percocet can be used safely for a short period, this medication carries a high risk of addiction because of the way it works in the body and brain. If you or someone you love are abusing Percocet, you must get the treatment you need as soon as possible to avoid the serious consequences of addiction.
Recovery from Percocet addiction is possible, but you must be able to recognize that there is a problem and know what steps to take next. The first step toward recovery involves detox where you have to face the Percocet withdrawal timeline. While opioid withdrawal can be scary, treatment involves pharmaceutical and emotional support.
The more you know about Percocet abuse and treatment for Percocet addiction, the better able you will be to get the help you need.
Recognizing Percocet Addiction
Percocet addiction often causes changes to a person’s behavior and mood. It can impact their ability to function in their day-to-day life. However, addiction often goes unnoticed because people have an inaccurate picture of what an addicted person looks or acts like.
Learning to recognize the behavioral and physical symptoms of addiction can help you recognize that there is a problem and seek the help you or your loved one needs. Some of the behavioral signs of a Percocet addiction include:
- Isolating from others
- Lying or covering up their use
- Stealing or participating in illegal activities
- Spending a lot of time thinking about, getting, using, or recovering from using Percocet
- Having multiple prescriptions for Percocet from different doctors
- Financial trouble
- Legal trouble
- Falling behind at work, school, or in responsibilities at home
These behavioral changes may take time to show up, but they are often clear signs that someone is struggling with substance abuse.
Percocet abuse and addiction can also have severe physical effects.
- Fatigue
- Dizziness
- Stomach pain
- Diarrhea
- Headache
- Anxiety
- Poor memory or concentration
If you or someone you love is struggling with Percocet addiction, effective treatment is available. Reach out to the specialists at the Carolina Center for Recovery for information about starting treatment.
Understanding the Percocet Withdrawal Timeline
Often, the first step of Percocet addiction treatment is going through medically supervised detox. During detox, your body has the opportunity to remove toxins, including opioids, and return to a more natural, balanced state.
Without the presence of Percocet, you will likely experience withdrawal. Withdrawal from opioids, including Percocet, can be difficult.
People often experience the worst symptoms of Percocet withdrawal in the first few days. Symptoms typically begin within 24 hours of a person’s last use. These first symptoms include:[2]
- Nausea
- Muscle aches
- Insomnia
- Intense cravings
- Headaches
- Loss of appetite
On the second day of withdrawal, symptoms tend to intensify. People may experience new symptoms, such as stomach cramping, sweating, and persistent runny nose.
On day three, people may have waves of nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. They may experience flu-like body aches and fever. People are often so uncomfortable at this point that they may relapse to alleviate their discomfort.
If people can resist their cravings and avoid relapse, their symptoms may begin to diminish on day four. After this, symptoms gradually decrease over the next week or so. Cravings, anxiety, and restlessness may persist for some time.
Individual Factors that Influence the Percocet Withdrawal Timeline
The duration of Percocet withdrawal varies from one person to the next because everyone’s body and metabolism are different. Factors that influence how long Percocet withdrawal lasts include:
- How long you have been addicted to the drug
- How often you take the drug
- The dose you regularly take
- Your age, height, weight, and gender
- Your metabolism
- Liver and kidney function
- Mental health
Regardless of your circumstances, a medical detox center can help you get through the Percocet withdrawal timeline with comfort and ease. Opioid withdrawal is generally treated with opioid replacement medications like methadone or buprenorphine. These medications can reduce the severity and duration of your withdrawal symptoms.
Percocet Detox and Treatment
After a safe, complete detox, you will begin a Percocet addiction treatment program. Addiction treatment programs are offered in a variety of settings and levels of care. Whether you participate in an inpatient, outpatient, or partial hospitalization program (PHP), you will likely receive some combination of evidence-based and holistic treatments. These may include:
- Individual therapy
- Group therapy
- Family therapy
- Education
- Medication management
- Mental health and medical care
- Holistic therapies like yoga, acupuncture, nutrition counseling, and other healing treatments
Addiction is never cured. Treatment can help people overcome addiction and learn how to live a healthy, sober lifestyle. However, it is important to stay engaged and active in recovery. This may mean joining a support group or alumni network, continuing therapy, or participating in other opioid addiction treatment programs.
Find Help for Percocet Abuse and Addiction Today at the Carolina Center for Recovery
If you or someone you love is struggling with Percocet addiction or you need support at any stage of addiction recovery, you are not alone. Reach out to the specialists at the Carolina Center for Recovery for more information about the addiction treatment programs we offer.
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