Abusing the powerful opioid painkiller Percocet can lead to a number of dangerous side effects. Percocet is highly addictive and difficult to quit once physical dependence has occurred. An overdose of Percocet alone can cause death, and an overdose of the acetaminophen in Percocet can cause severe liver damage that may be fatal.
Marijuana is often considered a safe drug because it does not produce physical dependence, severe side-effects or withdrawal symptoms. The dangers of marijuana use are mostly indirect, involving consequences due to impaired judgment and motor skills caused by the drug. Although marijuana does not produce physical dependence, it can be psychologically addictive and lead to destructive, addictive behavior. Addiction professionals would not consider Percocet abuse to be safe, but many users do not consider Percocet and marijuana to be an especially dangerous combination.
While other central nervous system depressants such as alcohol, sedatives or opioids can greatly increase the chance of fatal overdose when combined with Percocet, marijuana may not.
Impaired Judgment Can Lead to Poor Choices
One factor that makes combining Percocet with marijuana more dangerous than abusing Percocet or marijuana alone is that the two drugs together can amplify the impairment of judgment, cognitive ability, and motor skills.
A person using both Percocet and marijuana will be more impaired than a person using Percocet or marijuana alone and therefore may be more inclined to have accidents or make poor choices that could lead to serious consequences.
Engaging in an activity such as driving while on Percocet and marijuana can be hazardous. Impaired judgment may also lead to other reckless behavior such as increased use of other drugs.
A person in this impaired condition may, for instance, overlook the dangers of combining opioids with alcohol and consume large quantities of beer on top of a high dose of Percocet without seeing the inherent dangers of such action.
The Spectre of Addiction
Addiction is not the same as physical dependence. Of Percocet and marijuana, only Percocet is capable of producing physical dependence. However, both drugs can be addictive. Addiction is a psychological condition in which a person seeks out the effects of a particular drug or combination of drugs. Drug abusers and addicts choose their particular drug of choice for the effect it has.
Abusing Percocet and marijuana together can easily become a habit that is difficult to break.
Both drugs alter the reward center of the brain over time, so that regular users may experience chronic depression without the drug. A regular user of both Percocet and marijuana is likely to develop a reliance on this combination of drugs in order to feel good. Eventually, regular use of Percocet will lead to physical dependence, which is difficult to overcome.
Finding Help for Marijuana and Percocet Use
Abusing any drug recreationally can be harmful. Combining drugs, such as Percocet and marijuana, can be disastrous. If you or someone you love is struggling with drug abuse and would like help finding treatment, please call our toll-free helpline at 760.548.4032.
Our counselors are available 24 hours a day to answer your questions about drugs, drug combinations, addiction, and treatment.
Start the Journey Today!
760.548.4032