Help for Percocet withdrawal

Is Percocet withdrawal dangerous? Rarely. More here on how you can help treat Percocet withdrawal to ease severity of symptoms.

5
minute read

Percocet (oxycodone/acetaminophen blend) is used to treat pain. But when your body gets used to Percocet and you use Percocet daily for more than a few weeks, withdrawal results.  But whether you want to end dependency or want Percocet addiction help…the process of withdrawal is the same.

During Percocet withdrawal, the central nervous system is trying to figure out how to regulate the body without the presence of oxycodone.  This is why detoxing off Percocet can bring on lots of discomfort.  So, what are some ways you can help ease Percocet withdrawal? Is Percocet withdrawal hard or dangerous? We’ll explore the answers to these questions here. And we invite your questions about Percocet at the end.

Is Percocet withdrawal dangerous?

Sometimes.

Generally, common Percocet withdrawal symptoms are only uncomfortable and not dangerous. Still, Percocet is one of the stronger opioid medications on the market. And your body can quickly develop a need for Percocet. What makes Percocet withdrawal dangerous is that your heart rate can be depressed, making it difficult to breath normally and regulate the respiratory system. This can put you in danger, especially if you have other health problems. That is why you should be careful during Percocet withdrawal and ALWAYS WITHDRAW FROM PERCOCET UNDER MEDICAL SUPERVISION. Furthermore, you should not stop Percocet suddenly if you have been using Percocet for an extended period of time or at high doses.

Is Percocet withdrawal hard?

For some people withdrawal from Percocet can be easier than for others. There are many factors that can affect how hard withdrawal can be. Factors that can impact how difficult withdrawal is include:

  • Addiction
  • Co-occurring medical conditions
  • Dependency
  • Environmental complications
  • Length of Percocet Use
  • Physical reactions to withdrawal
  • Underlying psychological issues

Not only is the discomfort of withdrawal sometimes unbearable, all these other factors can compound the process, making it hard to withdraw from Percocet. But even though Percocet withdrawal is a hard process it doesn’t mean you can’t succeed. As long as you are actively treating Percocet withdrawal symptoms and seeking out the help you need, you can be successful in this process.

Percocet withdrawal methods: Help for Percocet withdrawal symptoms

Percocet withdrawal methods include pharmaceutical / prescription drugs, over-the-counter medications, and tapering.

1. Pharmaceutical / prescription drugs for Percocet withdrawal symptoms – There are many different drugs that doctors may prescribe to help address withdrawal symptoms. The more common ones include:

  • Clonidine (reduces anxiety, agitation, vomiting/diarrhea) Buprenorphine (has been said to shorten the time frame of Percocet detox)
  • Methadone (used as replacement therapy for those who are suffering addiction and need help in treating drug craving)
  • Tramadol (treats underlying pain and regulates mood)

2. Over-the-counter medications for Percocet withdrawal symptoms – Additionally, over-the-counter medication can go a long way in treating the individual withdrawal symptoms. There are muscle relaxers, flu medications, and sleep aids that provide help for Percocet withdrawal symptoms. NSAIDs (non steroidal anti inflammatory drugs) can treat aches and pains. You can use these treatments without complications of developing dependency.

3. Tapering for Percocet withdrawal – Finally, perhaps the most effective help for Percocet withdrawal symptoms is the process of tapering doses. When you taper Percocet, you slowly reduce doses of oxycodone over time to minimize the intensity of withdrawal symptoms. Dose reduction happens in a 10-25% increments depending on your level of doses and the severity of dependency. Best case scenario as you are reducing your doses you will feel no withdrawal symptoms and your body will effetely balance itself out.  Nevertheless, seek help from your prescribing doctor to receive an individualized tapering calendar for slowly weaning yourself from Percocet.

Natural help for Percocet withdrawal

If you want help for Percocet withdrawal naturally, the first thing you will want to take care of are the acute withdrawal symptoms which arise. Acute Percocet withdrawal lasts for about a three day period and symptoms will be the most severe during this time. Here are some suggestions for using natural help for Percocet withdrawal:

1. Take time away from your everyday life. You will be sick for a bit and you will need to be taken care of. Ask someone close to you to support you and be available during this time.

2. Give yourself time to sleep and rest without the stressors impacting your ability to withdrawal.

3. Get all the materials and supplies you need in advance. Vitamins and supplements can help replace the nutrients you have lost such and as vitamin D and E, as well as an overall multi-vitamin. You can use natural herbs for sleep aid (melatonin, chamomile, linden) and aiding in your digestion (ginger and mint).

4. Focus on the body. Things like exercise and massage can help your cramping and help promote the production of serotonin.

5. Talk it out. Talk therapy or finding someone you can confide in while you are going through withdrawal can also help you get through the rough and painful parts of withdrawal.

How to ease Percocet withdrawal

One of the best ways to ease Percocet withdrawal is for you to work with a doctor to reduce the dosage of Percocet over several weeks. You can also seek out treatment from Percocet detox facilities or therapeutic addiction treatment communities to support your mental health while you address physical Percocet withdrawal symptoms.

Help with Percocet withdrawal

If you can’t seem to withdrawal on you own or find yourself going through multiple periods of withdrawal, you may want to consider a clinical detox. You can be monitored and treated for withdrawal symptoms without relapse. Detox clinic doctors can help you by treating your symptoms and helping you to taper if necessary. If you are wanting to find resources for pain management, support groups or addiction treatment you can search www.findtreatment.org. You can also call 1-800-662-help (4357). This is a national hotline designed to get you in contact with any help you need with withdrawal or the effect withdrawal may have in other aspects of your life.

Helping Percocet withdrawal questions

Do you still have questions about the different kinds of help for Percocet withdrawal? Do you have your own experience to share? We would love to hear from you and will respond to any questions you may have regarding withdrawal help from Percocet. Please leave your helping Percocet withdrawal questions below. We will respond to you personally and promptly.

Reference Sources: NLM: Opiate Withdrawal
SAMHSA: Withdrawal 
National Institute of Drug Abuse: Prescription alert
About the author
Lee Weber is a published author, medical writer, and woman in long-term recovery from addiction. Her latest book, The Definitive Guide to Addiction Interventions is set to reach university bookstores in early 2019.
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