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Percocet Detox and Withdrawal

Percocet is a commonly-prescribed pain medication. Abusing the drug can lead to dependence and addiction. This substance belongs to the opioid family of drugs, alongside other drugs including codeine, morphine, heroin, and fentanyl.

These substances are abused with or without prescription for their desired effects of pain alleviation, elevated mood and euphoria, and deep sleep, but even medically-advised use to treat pain can be habit forming. Once tolerance and cravings have manifested in an individual, a rapid process in these highly addictive substances, it becomes difficult to stop reaching for higher and higher doses, or riskier forms of substance abuse. Opioids accounted for almost 75% of drug overdose deaths in 2020, an epidemic that can be tied to poor access to appropriate detox and withdrawal care for prescription medications like Percocet.

Percocet Drug Abuse and Opioid Withdrawal

Percocet Drug Abuse and Opioid Withdrawal

Percocet is the brand name of a generic formulation of oxycodone and acetaminophen prescribed to treat physical pain. While it is theoretically possible to overdose on both acetaminophen and oxycodone, acetaminophen is a non-addictive mild substance found in over-the-counter medications like paracetamol. Oxycodone, the opioid component of prescription Percocet, is the drug responsible for dependence.

When oxycodone enters the nervous system for the first time, it floods the brain’s neurons with opioids – chemicals that resemble our naturally-produced pain-relieving and calming neurotransmitters, but which are far more potent. The brain’s opioid receptors soon become dependent on their presence to function normally – this causes cellular-level changes in the system, and leads our bodies to stop producing their natural analogs. If the individual stops using at this point, the body enters a state of extreme chemical imbalance, called Percocet withdrawal.

Opioid dependence can be very serious, and taking measures to stop the progress of Percocet addiction is always worth it. However, it is important not to underestimate the discomfort and risks associated with cold-turkey Percocet withdrawal symptoms. Safely passing through this acute state calls for medical guidance and, often, residential care.

Percocet Withdrawal Symptoms

As with other opioids, sudden cessation of Percocet abuse can produce a range of mild to severe mental and physical symptoms. In the average case, this resembles intense flu. While these symptoms are not generally considered to be life-threatening, they can be extremely difficult to get through without relapse, especially when they almost always co-occur with intense Percocet cravings. Many people start using again simply to obtain relief from the uncomfortable symptoms of withdrawal, leading to a potentially life-threatening cycle.

Symptoms of Percocet withdrawal include:

  • Fatigue
  • Muscle pain
  • Bone pain
  • Aches
  • Sweating
  • Goosebumps
  • Dysregulated temperature
  • Tremor
  • Watery eyes and runny nose
  • Diarrhea
  • Stomach cramping
  • Nausea
  • Vomiting
  • Mood shifts: anxiety, irritability, paranoia, hopeless
  • Dysphoria and suicidal thoughts

Risk Factors

Percocet withdrawal symptoms differ in severity according to several factors related to how one was abusing Percocet – namely, individuals are more likely to have severe withdrawal symptoms if they used the drug for a long period of time, or in high doses.

More severe symptoms of withdrawal are also linked to a number of physiological factors, making the exact intensity of one’s theoretical withdrawal difficult to estimate without a professional opinion. All of the following can affect the intensity of an individual’s withdrawal symptoms:

  • Body mass and height
  • Age
  • Sex
  • Physical fitness
  • Co-occurring mental health condition
  • Polysubstance use

Detoxing from Percocet

Detoxing from Percocet

Percocet abuse disorder and chemical dependence should be understood as treatable medical conditions. Cold-turkey solo withdrawal from opioids has low success rates. The Centers for Disease Control recommends medical detox, in combination with approved psychotherapies and social support, as the most appropriate and clinically successful form of care.

A Percocet detox center is a medical environment that generally provides the following:

  • Ongoing medical assessment
  • 24-7 supervision
  • Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT)
  • Therapy and counseling
  • Relaxation tools
  • Comfortable lodging
  • Substance-free environment

Detox only describes the first stage of addiction recovery: retreating to focus on the acute therapies necessary to safely pass the last of the drug of abuse from the system. After this, the client in care will often graduate to a more engaging schedule of care. That said, the core techniques of detox are aimed dually at easing the process of withdrawal, and at building the mental foundations for long-term recovery.

Percocet Detox: The Process

At most clinics, ours included, clients can undergo assessment for Percocet addiction before they even arrive on campus. At this point, treatment has begun. They can expect a check-up and detailed evaluation aimed at reviewing the detox options that are most suited to their individual case, and invited to the Percocet detox center.

Timeline

The biological half-life of Percocet is short, averaging around 3.5 hours, and varying slightly according to the same factors that affect withdrawal risk, described above. Because of this, most people start to experience withdrawal symptoms somewhere between 5-8 hours after the last time they consume Percocet.

These withdrawal symptoms grow in intensity, often peaking around day two or day three. This is when individuals are most likely to experience severe pain, anxiety, nausea, vomiting, and cravings intensify. Staff at the detox center will monitor their clients on an ongoing basis, and intervene with therapeutic or medical support to alleviate withdrawal signs when needed. It is critical to be safely in a comfortable and relaxing environment at this time when relapse risk is most pronounced.

The physical symptoms of chemical dependency tend to resolve on their own approximately one week after Percocet withdrawal starts. Individuals who receive medication-assisted treatment through tapered and monitored buprenorphine or methadone can have an altered timeline, but broadly, this marks the end of withdrawal management, and the mental and behavioral symptoms of prescription medication abuse can be addressed.

Medications Administered

A short list of medications have been approved by the FDA to treat physical dependence:

  1. Buprenorphine: a mild opioid that can be used in acute withdrawal stages to quell symptoms.
  2. Naloxone (in Suboxone): An opioid agonist medication originally formulated to halt overdose. It can be used in combination with buprenorphine to weaken opioid use effects and cravings.
  3. Naltrexone: Another opioid agonist medication, which can be prescribed long-term to reduce or eliminate the felt effects of opioids.
  4. Methadone: a long-term maintenance medication and synthetic opiate that can be used as an early substitute in cases of severe dependence, and tapered off to avoid symptoms.

Family members and clients alike occasionally express concern over the administration of buprenorphine or methadone during treatment. It is important to note that MAT has proven itself to be a powerful tool in the long-term cessation of opioid use, and also that not all individuals abusing Percocet who receive detox treatment will be recommended for MAT. Client welfare and professional integrity demand that opioid treatment programs take these medications extremely seriously.

Detox and Addiction Care in Residence

Holistic treatment for Percocet abuse and addiction involves more than managing withdrawal symptoms and undergoing detox. Here at NP Addiction, we can help you tackle the reasons that led you to abuse Percocet in the first place. Behavioral therapy and psychotherapy are core tools in reaping the long-term benefits of one’s decision to quit Percocet and developing the tools for sobriety.

Our residential opioid addiction treatment program includes detox, MAT, group and individual therapy, as well as CBT and recreational therapy. The medical professionals on our team will assess cases in detail and offer a wide range of options to each of our clients because we are committed to doing what works, in the long run. Call us today to hear more about how we can help you live a life free of drugs.

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Director of National Business Development & Admissions Coordinator

I am a dedicated and passionate professional with extensive experience in business development Admissions and marketing. I have an incredible passion for showing others that there is a light at the end of this dark tunnel if someone truly wants it.
Being in recovery myself I understand the struggles of addiction and alcoholism. I Started this Career path in 2009. With multiple years of experience, I bring a multi-faceted approach and am always seeking new ways to make a difference in the lives of those I work with.

Kim L. Buckner

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As a Substance Abuse Motivational Speaker, Pastor, Peer Advocate, and Facilitator. Kim helps clients avoid relapse by understanding their triggers. Those people, places and things that can cause craving, as well as internal triggers like feelings, thoughts, or emotions. Kim also clients with identifying and building healthy relationships now that they’re clean and sober.

Kim’s background includes extensive experience as a motivational speaker and work in faith-based organizations helping youth and adults alike. He says he is motivated by giving back to the community, understanding, and not judging who she comes into contact with. Kim’s favorite quote is by Dr. Raymond Johnson: “The respect given to others rebounds to the giver to deny the scared in the Other is to deny it in oneself.”

Caty Burns

Clinician

Caty graduated from Indiana University Bloomington in 2015 with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and minors in Counseling and History. Throughout her undergrad, she worked at the local CASA program, supporting volunteers advocating for children who had experienced abuse and neglect. Caty worked for seven years at a community mental health center (CMHC), partnering with children, adults, and families.

During those seven years, she taught life and coping skills as well as behavior management, provided case management and peer recovery services, and facilitated treatment teams that included the client, family, providers, and community members. I have also worked at an IOP providing group therapy services. She is currently working towards my Master of Social Work.

In her free time, Caty enjoys reading, especially historical fiction, spending time outdoors and having movie nights with her family. Disney World is her happy place, and she dreams of living among the elephants.

Madison Knowles

Mental Health Therapist

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Megan Carmona, LMHC

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Our Lead Therapist, Megan, is a bilingual Licensed Mental Health Counselor who specializes in working with adults who struggle with addiction, anxiety, depression, and trauma. As Lead Therapist, she provides individual, family, and group therapy sessions to our clients.  Megan says “I am very passionate about therapy, especially about supporting my clients in exploring their strengths and identity. My goal is to provide individuals with the tools that can help them achieve independence in coping with their challenges and facilitating personal development.” In her free time, Megan enjoys watching docu-series and playing video games with her family. Her dream is to own acres of land so she can care for vulnerable animals, especially old dogs, cats, and horses. 

Kristen Bensley

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Ronn Daigle, MSW

Therapist, Utilization Review Clinician

Ronn Daigle services as a Therapist and Utilization Review Clinician at the Neuro Psychiatric Addiction Clinic. He has been working in the field of substance use disorder treatment since 2011, with experience in all facility-based levels of care. Ronn earned, both an Associate of Arts in Psychology (2013) and Bachelor of Science in Human Services, with an Addiction Studies Concentration (2015) from Indian River State College. 

Ronn additionally earned a Master of Social Work degree in 2021 and is a current Registered Clinical Social Work Intern working toward licensure (LCSW). He describes himself as detail oriented, and solution focused.

Ronn says: “There is nothing more fulfilling than working with someone who doesn’t believe in himself or herself, and being there in the moment with them when the belief begins. We work with individuals who come to us at a point and time in their respective lives where they do not believe that change for others is possible; let alone for themselves…throughout the process they eventually come to a point where they realize that change is not only possible, but achievable.”

Erika Melecio, LMHC, MCAP, CEI

Assistant Clinical Director

Erika Melecio, LMHC, MCAP, CEI is the Assistant Clinical Director at Neuropsychiatric Addiction Clinic who specializes in the treatment of LGBTQ, addiction, as well as mental health disorders ranging from depression and anxiety, to Bipolar Disorder, trauma, personality disorders, psychotic disorders, and eating disorders. Erika utilizes a number of modalities including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Solution Focused Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, and Mindfulness amongst others. Erika has been in practice for close to a decade and has earned her license in Mental Health Counseling, as well as being a Master’s Certified Addiction Professional. Erika has worked with many individuals including couples counseling and family therapy, and is fluent in Spanish.
 
Throughout my years of practice, one of the things I enjoy helping people find is inner peace. Whether you are in the deepest parts of depression, overrun by your anxiety, controlled by your addiction, or there are certain issues in your life that are negatively impacting your ability to function, and have a happy, healthy life, maybe now is the time to talk about it. I am a big believer in empowerment, working hard in therapy, and utilizing different techniques to help you regain that inner peace that may have been lost along the way. I want to work with you as a team because with two people, absolutely everything is possible. I want to be there as a therapist, to help build you up, support you, but also help you be honest with yourself and accountable. At the end of the day, when all is said and done, my biggest goal for you is going to be simple….for you to no longer need my services. Why? Because if you no longer need my services, it means that you have regained your peace, you have regained your strength, you have regained your confidence. It means that you now have the tools to address any issues that try to derail you, and best of all, you will have the insight to overcome and thrive. So let’s begin this journey together, and get you to the place you want to be, emotionally, mentally, psychologically, and in your sobriety.

Aurelio Ayuso, MSW, LCSW, CAP, ICADC

Clinical Director

Aurelio has worked with those that suffer from the disease of addiction in adults and juveniles alike for over 10 years, beginning in the United States Navy where he proudly served for 20 years, working with those that were succumbed by addiction due to trauma and continuing his passion for helping those in need locally in Central Florida.

He specializes in both Addictions and Trauma, he has worked first as a therapist then as the clinical supervisor to both the Juvenile and Adult Drug Court programs in Brevard County. Aurelio has been instrumental in developing substance abuse treatment programs directly tailored to help those that also suffer from complex trauma due to their addiction. He has been recognized by several organizations for his forward thinking and ability to tailor treatment to individuals in the most restrictive environments.

Mr. Ayuso received his Graduate Degree in Clinical Social Work from the University of Central Florida in Orlando. He is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker as well as Certified Addictions Professional in the State of Florida, and Internationally Certified Alcohol & Drug Counselor. Aurelio specializes in the treatment of Addiction, Trauma, and Abandonment using strength based strategies deeply rooted in Solution Focused, and Mindfulness Therapies. At the Neuropsychiatric Addiction Clinic he passionately develops holistic curriculums that foster the belief that through addressing the mind, body, and spirit together, the Disease of Addiction can be addressed successfully.

Robert Lehmann, MHSA

Chief Operating Officer

Bob Lehmann is the Chief Operating Officer at the Neuro Psychiatric Addiction Clinic. He has a Master’s Degree in Human Services Administration with a concentration in Mental Health Administration and over twenty-five years of experience as a senior executive at addiction and mental health treatment facilities.

One of the reasons for his commitment to excellence in addiction treatment was his experience related to family members who suffered from the disease of addiction. Bob has been actively involved in community organizations throughout his career. Recently he was one of the founders of the Florida Addiction Treatment Coalition (FATC) and is its present Vice President. FATC was designed to bring together treatment executives in Florida to advocate on behalf of treatment facilities and the clients they serve adhering to a foundation of integrity and service excellence.

Jose R. Toledo, M.D.

Medical Director

A well-rounded and accomplished individual, Jose R. Toledo, M.D., is the Medical Director of Neuro Psychiatric Addiction Clinic.

Dr. Toledo is a neurologist with 25 years of experience and has been in private practice since 1991 on the Treasure Coast of Florida. He completed his neurology training at the State University of New York and his Fellowship training at the University of Pittsburgh in Epilepsy and Clinical Neurophysiology.

He also completed 24 months of acute inpatient psychiatry at the Western Missouri Mental Health Center, University of Missouri in Kansas City. In 2008, Dr. Toledo participated in and was certified in the continuing medical education activity entitled “Buprenorphine and Office-Based Treatment of Opioid Dependence” from The Medical University of South Carolina during which began his quest to found and head Neuropsychiatric Addiction Clinic.

Dr. Toledo is a brain specialist with particular competence in addiction medicine and out-patient detoxification treatment and integrates the fields seamlessly. He is certified to prescribe Buprenorphine (Suboxone). He incorporates his background in neurology into the addiction field. Dr. Toledo is member/fellow of The American Medical Association, The Florida Medical Association and The American Society of Addiction Medicine