Key Takeaways
- Smoking Percocet is dangerous and increases overdose risk. Percocet contains oxycodone, an opioid, and altering how it is taken can increase the speed at which oxycodone enters the bloodstream, raising the risk of overdose.
- Percocet misuse can cause serious health effects. Opioid misuse may lead to respiratory depression, low blood pressure, nausea, vomiting, dependence, and potentially fatal overdose.
- Smoking pills can cause additional health risks. The article explains that heating and smoking Percocet can damage the lungs, while the medication’s acetaminophen component can also contribute to serious health complications when misused.
- Opioid addiction can be treated with comprehensive care. Treatment may include medical detox, medication-assisted treatment (MAT), behavioral therapies such as CBT, residential or outpatient care, and ongoing recovery support.
Question:
What are the dangers of smoking Percocet, and can smoking it increase the risk of overdose or addiction?
Answer:
Royal Life Centers explains why smoking Percocet is a particularly dangerous form of prescription opioid misuse. Percocet contains oxycodone, an opioid pain reliever, and acetaminophen. Although it is prescribed for pain, taking it in unintended ways can increase the risk of harmful effects, dependence, and overdose. Smoking Percocet may cause oxycodone to reach the bloodstream more quickly, potentially increasing overdose risk. The article also notes that smoking pills can damage the lungs and contribute to respiratory complications. Other potential dangers of opioid misuse include respiratory depression, low blood pressure, nausea, vomiting, and fatal overdose. The risks may be even greater when counterfeit pills contain fentanyl while appearing to be legitimate prescription medications. For people struggling with Percocet misuse or opioid addiction, the article discusses treatment options including medical detox, medication-assisted treatment, behavioral therapy, residential treatment, outpatient programs, and continuing care. Comprehensive treatment can address both opioid use and the underlying factors contributing to addiction.
Smoking Percocet is a dangerous form of opioid abuse that can rapidly increase the risk of overdose, respiratory problems, and life-threatening health complications. While Percocet is prescribed for chronic pain or severe pain as part of pain management, smoking the pills changes how the drug enters the body, which can intensify oxycodone’s effects, raise tolerance and dependence, and expose the lungs and body to additional harm. Misuse of opioid doses through this unsafe route of administration can lead to respiratory depression, low blood pressure, nausea and vomiting, and other serious complications, including overdose death.
For adults struggling with Percocet misuse or addiction, as well as anyone trying to understand the dangers of smoking Percocet and the treatment options available, knowing these risks is critical. The danger is compounded by synthetic opioids and counterfeit pills containing fentanyl, which are often disguised as legitimate prescriptions. Below, you’ll learn what Percocet is, how it is commonly used and abused, why smoking it is especially dangerous, and which treatment options—including medication-assisted treatment, behavioral therapies, and different levels of care for opioid addiction—can help.
Contact Royal Life Centers today and learn more about overcoming opioid addiciton and getting your life back on track.
What Is Percocet?
Percocet is a brand name for a combination medication that contains Oxycodone and acetaminophen. Oxycodone is an opioid pain reliever, while acetaminophen is a non-opioid pain reliever, which is what makes Percocet so effective for treating severe and chronic pain.
According to the Drug Enforcement Administration, this medication is classified as a Schedule II controlled substance, which means it has a high potential for abuse and addiction. Many prescription opioids like this one have become a significant public health issue nationwide due to their easy accessibility and intense side effects.
According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), the number of prescription opioid-related overdose deaths in 2021 alone totaled 16,706. This, of course, includes deaths influenced by the misuse of prescription drugs like Percocet.
With these numbers in mind, it is essential to understand precisely what risks Percocet can have when not taken correctly and how to avoid these consequences moving forward. It’s also important to know that care teams at drug/alcohol treatment centers can help you reach sobriety. Royal Life Centers’ network of treatment centers offers care planning for opioid use disorders that can help end drug abuse and the risks of overdose.
How Is Percocet Used?
Percocet usually comes in the form of pills or capsules taken by mouth, as directed by a doctor. In most cases, the usual dose of Percocet is one or two tablets every 4 to 6 hours, as needed for pain. However, the specific dose a person may need will depend on their pain level and tolerance.
Of course, this is not the only way that this drug is taken. For those who abuse Percocet, it is not uncommon for them to crush these pills and inject, snort, or smoke them; some people smoke oxycodone or snort it for faster onset, even though snorting can cause tissue damage in the nose and effects may begin within two minutes. While this can produce an intense and pleasurable high, using Percocet in this way can have serious side effects, and people may keep increasing doses to chase the desired effects. Smoking can also trigger rapid dopamine release, which adds to the drug’s abuse potential.
Smoking Percocet has zero therapeutic bioavailability and can cause immediate throat burns and coughing fits.
How Long Does Percocet Last?
To understand how Percocet can affect the body, knowing how long it remains in your system is important. So, how long do opioids stay in your system? In the case of Percocet, this medication has a half-life of 3.5 hours, meaning this is how long it will take for half of the drug to be eliminated from the body.
The effects of Percocet, in comparison, typically last for 4 to 6 hours, depending on the person. How long it will take for Percocet to fully leave your system can vary depending on your weight, metabolism, liver function, and other factors.
The best way to stay safe when using this medication is to only do so with a doctor’s permission and strictly as prescribed by your healthcare provider.
Is Smoking Percocet Dangerous? Overdose Risks Explained
Because of its reputation for producing an enjoyable high, the question of “What does Percocet feel like?” can lead many people to experiment with this medication. In many cases, people will smoke Percocet because they believe it will produce a faster and more intense high.
However, smoking Percocet is very dangerous. When smoked, the Oxycodone in this medication is absorbed into the bloodstream more quickly than when it is taken orally, which can lead to a much higher risk of overdose. Opioid overdose symptoms can include slow breathing and unresponsiveness.
In addition, the heat from smoking can damage the lungs, and repeated exposure to harmful substances can contribute to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Acetaminophen in Percocet is also dangerous, and smoking it can cause liver damage and may lead to acute liver failure.
Misusing Percocet in any way can have serious adverse health effects in the short and long term. Overdose effects require immediate medical attention, and you should administer naloxone because it can reverse opioid overdose effects. If you or a loved one is abusing this medication, seeking professional treatment as soon as possible is important.
Are you struggling with opioid addiction?
Royal Life Centers is here to help you recover. Because we care.
How is Percocet Addiction Treated?
Percocet addiction is a serious condition that can have a devastating impact on a person’s life. Common signs and symptoms of percocet abuse include behavioral symptoms such as secrecy, neglecting responsibilities, and other behavioral changes that can point to substance use disorder and the need for professional care. Fortunately, there are effective treatment options available that can help people stop smoking Percocet and live sober lives.
The treatment for Percocet addiction typically involves a combination of medication-assisted treatment (MAT) and behavioral therapy. MAT involves the use of FDA-approved medications that can help reduce cravings, and percocet withdrawal can involve painful symptoms that may last for many days after the last dose. Some of the most common medications used to treat Percocet addictions include methadone, buprenorphine, and naltrexone.
These medications can help manage withdrawal symptoms and cravings. Likewise, some MAT medications block the euphoric effects of opioids like Percocet which can remove the temptation of relapsing. As a result, people are like likely to return to smoking Percocet after starting treatment. Ongoing medication management is a proven form of OUD treatment that reduces the risk of relapse and promotes long-term sobriety.
Comprehensive treatment for opioid use disorders also incorporates research-based therapies such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). Through CBT, guests can recognize and address negative thoughts and behaviors that lead to addictive behavior.
Levels of Care for Opioid Addiction
While each Percocet addiction treatment plan will vary depending on the individual’s needs and goals, certain aspects remain the same. Some of the most common treatment options include:
- Inpatient treatment: Residential care is a more intensive form of treatment that can provide round-the-clock care and support. This makes it a good fit for people who have a severe addiction or who need help detoxing from Percocet.
- Outpatient treatment: Outpatient programs provide less intensive treatment that can help people with a less severe addiction. Outpatient can also benefit people who are able to maintain their sobriety without round-the-clock care.
- Ongoing care: Addiction recovery is a lifelong process, so it is important to participate in aftercare services. These include participation in peer support groups, individual and group therapy, and community service opportunities.
Opioid Addiction Treatment at Royal Life Centers
At Royal Life Centers, we believe everyone deserves access to high-quality and effective addiction treatment services. Our program takes a whole-health approach to treatment, providing the support you need to overcome not just your addiction to opioid medication but the underlying causes as well, since many factors and risk factors can affect one’s chances of developing chemical dependency or oxycodone addiction, with an increased risk when co-occurring disorders or other mental disorders are present. We also address how changes involving opioid receptors can drive tolerance and misuse in pursuit of the same desired effects.
When you decide to start your recovery process at one of our rehab centers, you will have access to a wide variety of treatment services, including:
- Medical detox program
- Residential treatment program
- Partial hospitalization program (PHP)
- Intensive outpatient program (IOP)
- Outpatient program (OP)
- Medication-assisted treatment (MAT)
- Dual diagnosis treatment
- research-based therapies
- Holistic and wellness services
- Alumni support
Start Your Percocet Addiction Treatment Program Today
If you or a loved one are smoking prescription opioid pills like Percocet, the risks are severe and can be life-threatening. Misusing opioid doses through unsafe routes of administration increases tolerance and dependence, and intoxication from opioid misuse can cause impaired judgment, extreme drowsiness, or sedation. A percocet overdose or acetaminophen poisoning can be a medical emergency, and acetaminophen poisoning causes nearly 300 deaths annually in the U.S. Even medications intended for pain management carry high risks when used outside prescribing opioids guidelines. Healthcare professionals warn that the combination of illicit drug use and improper opioid administration dramatically raises the risk associated with these substances and other negative effects. Treatment centers are equipped to provide safe, supervised support, helping individuals regain control over substance abuse and protect their health substance. Don’t wait—reach out today to get professional help and prevent serious harm.
No matter what your recovery needs may be, we can provide the necessary resources you need in treatment and recovery from Percocet addiction. Reach out to us by calling 877-RECOVERY to learn more information about our treatment facilities and how we can help you get started on your road to recovery today!
REFERENCES:
- Drug Abuse Statistics | National Center for Drug Abuse Statistics
- Chasing the Bean: Prescription Drug Smoking among Socially Active Youth | J Adolesc Health
- National Institute on Drug Abuse Testimony to Congress | National Institute on Drug Abuse
- Drug Overdose Death Statistics | National Institute on Drug Abuse
- The prescription opioid epidemic: a review of qualitative studies on the progression from initial use to abuse | Dialogues Clin Neurosci
- Oxycodone | Narcotics.com
