Percocet is a combination of acetaminophen and oxycodone. Acetaminophens such as Tylenol block pain without reducing inflammation. Oxycodone impacts the opioid receptors in the brain and body, reducing pain and creating a euphoric response. Oxycodone also reduces anxiety. The combination of anxiety reduction and euphoria contribute to the highly addictive nature of oxycodone products, including Percocet.
For someone who is dealing with severe nerve pain, taking away the opiate results not only in increased pain but a loss of happiness. When you stop taking any opiate product, you may feel intense anxiety, depression, or sluggishness. Because dopamine suppression happens very quickly, the need for more opiates will grow quickly.
Damage Done by Percocet Abuse
Percocet abuse can damage your thinking. Because your focus is on replacing the suppressed dopamine, you will likely be unable to make good decisions. You may feel depressed, lack the ability to focus, and even struggle to speak.
The trail from prescription use because you need it to addictive use because you can’t function without it can be dangerously fast. Your Percocet use may have moved to the next level if you are:
- Craving Percocet
- Feeling depressed or apathetic without it
- Making dangerous decisions, like driving after using
- Neglecting your family and your job
- Struggling with higher pain levels
It’s time to have a conversation with your physician if you are experiencing these issues, and it may be time to seek treatment.
Withdrawal: Getting the Help and Support That You Need
Depending on the length of time you’ve been taking Percocet, the withdrawal process will start with pain. You may suffer a rebound of pain from the original injury. Additionally, in the first two days, you may struggle with muscle and joint pain, headache, and nausea.
Your emotional reactions in relation to the suppression of dopamine can include fatigue, anxious thoughts, and restlessness. You may struggle with insomnia or be constantly drowsy. Because the early steps of withdrawal can pair extreme sleepiness with nausea, it is critical that you never attempt withdrawal alone. You must be monitored to avoid the risk of asphyxiation.
Care for Your Body
You may be weepy and not realize that your eyes are tearing up. You will also likely be dealing with a drippy nose. This is a normal reaction in the first few days. Keep your sleeping space cool and dark so that you can sleep and keep a good quality box of facial tissues at hand.
Get some sun. Dopamine receptors can be concentrated in different portions of the brain. If you can get moving, and get moving in the sun in particular, you can actually build more dopamine receptors in the part of the brain that is tied to movement. Moving in the sun can alter your brain to help your body feel a lot better.
Care for Your Brain
Put on some tunes. Listen to music that you used to enjoy dancing to before you were ever exposed to Percocet. Music enters the brain differently than simple text; our ability to remember text put to music is stronger. Your favorite music will do a great deal to help reset your dopamine-starved brain.
Finally, get moving. It’s interesting to note that even those with Parkinson’s disease, which is a combination of low dopamine and loss of body control, can benefit from physical activity. You don’t have to push yourself especially hard, but you will want to exercise for at least 20 minutes to enjoy a dopamine boost.
Care for Your Spirit
As your brain heals and comes back into balance, pay careful attention to your social hygiene. Study up on the science of addiction and what addiction actually does to your brain. Not only can you learn to give yourself a break, but you can develop empathy for others struggling with addiction.
If you have family members, friends, and co-workers who can support you, let them know what you’re dealing with and ask for help. If you know some people can’t handle the situation, avoid them for now. If you treated them badly when you were using, do the work to make amends and understand that the relationship may be altered or damaged beyond repair.
Be Ready to Dig Deeper
Opiates can also help someone who is dealing with mental illness though they are not a very effective treatment tool. If you have been self-medicating some form of mental illness, your treatment process may include finding better medications to manage and control psychological conditions such as:
- Personality disorder
- Schizophrenia
- Bipolar disorder
- Depression
The assessments for these conditions may take time. Your brain will change as your body and brain detox. As your dopamine levels come back up to your pre-Percocet levels, you will likely become ready for that initial assessment. However, the medications that you take for these conditions may need to be adjusted over time.
Moving Back into the World
You may also find great benefits from group therapy activities within the detox facility and once you move back into the world. Knowing that you’re not alone and learning to rebuild friendly connections with others can be great for your dopamine production. Having a group to return to once you have moved out of the treatment facility can serve as a touchstone on a really tough day.
In addition to group connections, be aware that you can do a great deal to heal your body, brain, and spirit by learning to meditate. Meditation requires you to build a comfy space to be all alone in your head. If you have been beating yourself up because you yourself have a negative view of addiction, a meditation practice can help you find a way to be kind to yourself in the detox and recovery process.
Be Ready to Reach Out
MD, Psychiatrist
Dr. Vahid Osman, MD is a psychiatry specialist in Indianapolis, IN.
Dr. Osman completed a residency at Austin State Hospital. He has over 32 years of experience in Psychiatry & Behavioral Health. He is board certified by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology.
