Can Percocet Addiction Lead to Heroin Addiction?
Can Percocet Addiction Lead to Heroin Addiction?
Percocet, a brand name for a powerful prescription painkiller, has been a staple in the world of pain management for decades. Comprising two main ingredients — oxycodone and acetaminophen.
Percocet addiction often happens to those who are prescribed it for moderate to severe pain, typically following surgeries or injuries. While it undoubtedly provides pain relief, it also harbors a dark side. Percocet addiction is a growing concern, and this article delves into the details of this troubling issue.
The Rise of Percocet Addiction
Percocet is the brand name for the combination medicine of oxycodone and acetaminophen. It is an opioid painkiller. The oxycodone part of Percocet is the opioid, the acetaminophen part of Percocet is the same ingredient as found in the over-the-counter pain medication, Tylenol.
Oxycodone and by default, Percocet are narcotic analgesics prescribed to relieve moderate to severe pain. The oxycodone in Percocet is a semisynthetic opioid about 1.5 times more potent than morphine.
Percocet addiction first started occurring in the United States around the 1970s. Percocet is an alternative to Percodan, the combination oxycodone–aspirin painkiller. Percodan, had a blood-clotting side effect due to the aspirin.
In the late twentieth century, Percocet was the prescription drug of choice to treat pain incurred through regular hard physical labor, such as coal mining.
Percocet belongs to a class of drugs known as opioids. Opioids are notorious for their potential for addiction and abuse, largely due to their ability to produce feelings of euphoria and an escape from physical and emotional pain. Percocet addiction has played a significant role in the proliferation of the opioid epidemic.
The Mechanics of Percocet Addiction
Understanding how Percocet addiction develops is essential in addressing the issue. When prescribed for legitimate medical purposes, it can be an effective pain management tool. However, if taken outside of these guidelines or misused, the risk of addiction increases significantly.
Oxycodone, the opioid component in Percocet, attaches to receptors in the brain and spinal cord, altering the way the body perceives pain. Simultaneously, it triggers a release of dopamine, a neurotransmitter associated with pleasure and reward.
As a result, the individual experiences not only relief from pain but also a sense of euphoria and relaxation. This combination of effects makes Percocet highly desirable for those seeking escape from their daily struggles or emotional pain.
The Danger of Tolerance
One of the factors contributing to Percocet addiction is tolerance. Over time, the body becomes accustomed to the presence of the drug, leading to a diminished response to the same dose. As a result, individuals may increase their dosage without a doctor’s recommendation to achieve the same level of pain relief and euphoria, thus risking addiction and overdose.
I’m Afraid You’re on a Slippery Slope, Son
Many years ago I was.. well.. “doctor shopping”. I went from doctor to doctor pleading my lower back pain in hopes that at least one of them would recognize my need for pain medications. I was within only two days of running out of Percocet and in a panic.
I was doctor shopping because the days of buying Percocet over the internet had ended. In the early 2000’s I had repeatedly sent money to a mysterious online pharmacy located somewhere overseas. Days later I would receive #120 10mg Percocet in the mail. It had worked month after month for almost two years. Until…
It ended when my usual drugstore website was apparently shut down. I found another online pharmacy claiming “Percocet by mail” and sent them the usual $175 via Western Union. This time, no prescription showed up.. I had been scammed. The medications never arrived and I lost $250 in the process. Lesson well learned.
The moment the doctor walked into the exam room he said to me, “You’re on a slippery slope, son”. Without asking me a single question he knew why I was there. Probably from reading my chart — a chart filled with many years of narcotic medications (oxycodone, hydrocodone, OxyContin, Opana, hydromorphone) being prescribed to me by a host of Nashville-area physicians. Clearly, he would have no part of my charade. Our session ended with me leaving embarrassed, knowing I’d been busted.
Why is Percocet Addiction Such a Slippery Slope?
Percocet addiction can start innocently as it had done with me. I got a prescription for legitimate lower back pain in early 2000. Then another, then another, and so on. The pain was probably long gone, but I loved the euphoric feeling Percocet gave me. I supplemented my drug habit by buying pills on the internet, but that time had ended.
How did I know I was addicted to Percocet? Here are just a few of the many symptoms I experienced:
- I was taking Percocet more frequently or in higher doses than prescribed. (Self-medicating)
- Using Percocet without a prescription. (Asking friends for extra pills)
- Crushing, snorting, or injecting Percocet to intensify its effects. (I didn;t care for it, but it worked faster and was more potent when snorted)
- Combining Percocet with other substances, such as hydrocodone, to enhance its impact. (Any narcotic will do when you’re addicted to opioids)
- Social and psychological factors — I stopped caring about anything other than, “Do I have enough pills? Where can I get more? How can I get a prescription filled early?”
Maybe my lowest point was creating a fake airline ticket. I was pretty good with Photoshop and was sure to run out of my latest Percocet prescription a few days early, as was usually the case each month.
I presented my “fake airline ticket” at a pharmacy and convinced the pharmacist I was leaving for the Bahamas the next morning and would be without medications for a whole week if not filled today. I’m embarrassed to say it worked. I got my Percocet early and felt like complete garbage having fabricated such a ridiculous story.
That was the day I knew I had a serious Percocet addiction
Percocet addiction is not solely a result of physical dependence; it often has social and psychological dimensions as well. I was struggling with emotional pain, trauma and stress. Percocet became a way to self-medicate. My brother’s death and my mother’s death had taken a toll on me. I had no coping mechanisms to deal with trauma.
Chasing pills and taking Percocet turned into a vicious cycle. Percocet initially provided pain relief, but ultimately provided an escape hatch in dealing with emotions. I needed medications to get a clear head (Suboxone) and a method for dealing with my personal issues and emotions (counseling).
This is exactly what Recovery Care and Nashville Addiction Clinic provide — Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT). MAT is a program consisting of Suboxone medications, private counseling and case management.
The Path from Percocet Addiction to Heroin Addiction
I have witnessed hundreds of people who come into clinics with a heroin addiction they never thought possible. Housewives, lawyers, medical professionals, rich, poor, and everything in between. How did this transition from Percocet addiction to heroin addiction happen?
Some Call it “The Pain Management Cycle”
After you read the following it should become perfectly clear it’s not only possible, but in some cases inevitable that someone goes from Percocet addiction to heroin addiction due to tolerances rising and the cost of street drugs becoming the cheapest option for supporting one’s drug habit.
It goes something like this:
- A person gets a prescription for Percocet and enjoys the physical and emotional relief it provides.
- They return for multiple prescriptions.
- If seeing a family doctor or are taking Percocet post-surgery, the prescriber often ends the doling of pain meds after a period of time.
- The person seeks a pain management firm who tend to be more liberal with their pain-pill prescribing habits due to their specialty — Pain.
- After 11–12 months of treatment the person’s tolerance rises and the medications often get stronger.
- The person begins taking a little more each day than prescribed and begins running out of medications early each month. (a maddening cycle!)
- The pain management doctor may tolerate this a few times and may be willing to allow early medication refills 1, 2 or maybe even 3 times, but not forever.
Here’s Where the Fork in the Road Occurs
- Either:
- The pain management doctor discharges the patient due to prescription pill abuse and provides one last prescription. This forces the patient to purchase narcotic pills wherever possible, most always on the street.
-or- - The patient starts buying oxycodone and OxyContin pills on the street to supplement their growing habit.
- In either case, the buying of pills on the street is the fork in the road. Without unlimited funds, the cost of the street pills will either become too expensive or simply become unavailable at some point in time, forcing the person to use an alternative drug to avoid withdrawals.
- Most often the cheaper, most readily-available drug will be heroin.
- The person will typically begin by snorting it. Afterall, no one was born hoping they’d inject heroin, right?
- Some will turn to injecting heroin. Others may realize they’ve reached the top — there’s nowhere left to go from heroin.
- Some people will choose to get help, white others will simply snort heroin or inject themselves until something drastic occurs. Specifically, they’ll snort or inject heroin that’s heavily laced with fentanyl.
- Fentanyl is 50 to 100 times stronger than morphine. Just two grains of salt worth of fentanyl can be a fatal dose. Most unsuspecting heroin users are simply not aware their heroin is laced with fentanyl and are gambling with each and every use.
How Do I Know About the Pain Management Cycle?
I’ve met hundreds of patients who have traversed the pain management cycle and wound up with a 2 gram per day (or more) heroin habit. Sadly, I’ve also witnessed some who unsuspectingly snorted or injected heroin-laced fentanyl and died. One of which was my oldest brother, Jeff. Rest in peace, Jeff.
Treatment and Recovery for Percocet Addiction
The road to recovery from Percocet addiction is challenging but not at all impossible. Professional help is crucial for individuals caught in the grip of opioid addiction. Treatment typically involves a combination of medical detoxification, counseling, and behavioral therapy. Medications like Suboxone (buprenorphine and naloxone) may be used to help manage withdrawal symptoms and cravings.
Support networks, such as Narcotics Anonymous (NA), Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) and private therapy, play a significant role in long-term recovery. Many individuals who successfully overcome Percocet addiction emphasize the importance of building a strong support system and adopting healthier coping mechanisms for dealing with pain and stress.
I took opioid drugs like Percocet, oxycodone and OxyContin daily for over 13 years and have been clean since January 8, 2014. If I can do it, anyone can do it. Suboxone and counseling were exactly what I needed. I also chose to go to AA, get a sponsor and do the steps. AA provided me with something positive to do and forced me to be accountable.
Suboxone, Along with Medication-Assisted Treatment Continues to Be the #1 Solution for Opioid Use Disorder
Medication-assisted treatment using Suboxone and counseling is currently the number one solution for treating opioid (Percocet, heroin, hydrocodone, oxycodone) addiction. Not only does it save lives, it also improves “quality of life” by allowing people to feel normal while they’re in treatment. Suboxone virtually eliminates withdrawals and cravings. For some folks this will mean eliminating weeks or even months of painful withdrawals.
Ready to Overcome Your Percocet Addiction (before you slide down the slippery slope)?
Recovery Care and Nashville Addiction Clinic provide a 100% online Suboxone treatment program for Percocet addiction, and all other opioids.
Suboxone Telemedicine Program Benefits:
- Available to anyone living in the state of Tennessee
- TennCare insurance accepted
- Select commercial insurance accepted
- Do the entire program from home
- Be seen today without supplies or testing
- All required supplies are mailed after your first appointment
- Pickup your Suboxone at your local pharmacy, or have your Suboxone medications delivered to your door.
- Start today from home!
Register Online Today and Feel Better Tomorrow
Recovery Care of Columbia
- Suboxone TeleMAT for Patients with TennCare Medicaid Health Insurance
- Suboxone TeleMAT for Patients with Commercial Health Insurance
- Suboxone TeleMAT for Patients Without Health Insurance
(Starting at $100)
Nashville Addiction Clinic
