When a family member suffers from Percocet addiction, it can seem as though they are a completely different person than the one you remember. The truth is, they are.
Addiction to opioid drugs like Percocet can change the brain in physical, emotional and psychological ways that can make a person a shadow of their former self. The good news is that Percocet addiction, like all addiction diseases, is treatable. It is possible for your loved one to recover from the worst drug addiction symptoms and manage their disease.
Knowing what Percocet rehab is and sharing this information with your loved one may help convince them that they can get the help they need to get well, and stay in recovery.
Detoxification
This may be, perhaps, one of the fears an active drug addict has about quitting the use of addictive drugs like Percocet. Especially if your family member is legally prescribed the medication, he or she may fear that not using the painkillers will result in illness. Detox is a factor in the recovery process. It begins the moment after an individual takes Percocet and lasts until they take more. When the immediate effects of the drugs wear off, after they have been metabolized, a drug addict will crave more. If the craving is not met, they may suffer symptoms of withdrawal. In the first few days of abstinence from Percocet, these symptoms will be at their worst. They include insomnia, nausea or vomiting, restlessness, cravings, and bone or muscle pain.
While this sounds unpleasant and uncomfortable, there are a few things a recovering addict should be aware of before they let fear of the unknown control their decisions:
- Detoxification is a process of managed withdrawal where medical professionals can help ease some of these symptoms with medication and emotional support.
- Detoxification is generally not life-threatening. With proper medical supervision, you will survive it.
- Detoxification does not last forever. Generally, the worst of the symptoms are gone in a few days.
- Detoxification is the first step to saving your life. Once the detox period has past, true healing can begin with the help of trained professionals.
It is important to remember that detoxing from Percocet is not the same as a treatment program. It is only the first step of the recovery process. If the detox period is not followed by adequate therapeutic care, the recovering addict is very likely to begin using Percocet again very quickly.
Residential Treatment
Some recovering addicts will choose to enter an inpatient treatment program. These facilities are generally set up in a home-like atmosphere and they can range from quite plain and simple to extremely luxurious and elegant. One of the greatest benefits to choosing a residential program for the treatment of Percocet addiction is the structured environment. Each aspect of the recovering addict’s day is structured specifically for their needs. Because the individual resides on the rehab property, there is a limit to the temptations he or she may have in their normal, day-to-day life. This can help the recovering addict gain a firmer grasp on a new, healthy lifestyle before they are faced with the normal challenges they have faced in the past.
Outpatient Treatment
Not every individual has the ability to enter a residential facility. The alternative program is one of intensive outpatient care. This type of program is best for Percocet treatment when certain situations exist, such as:
- The recovering addict needs to keep working to maintain health insurance or meet family support obligations.
- The recovering addict is the only person available to take care of small children or elderly parents.
- Insurance benefits will only cover outpatient care.
- The severity of the addiction disease does not warrant inpatient treatment.
An intensive outpatient treatment program can be comparable to an inpatient treatment facility if it is administered properly. It is important to investigate any outpatient treatment program closely, however, because some outpatient programs offer drug abuse and addiction education, but lack the treatment options that are necessary to truly tackle the disease of addiction.
Dual Diagnosis Treatment
The reasons that a person might choose to use drugs are as varied as the people who use them. There is no single cause for drug addiction, but there are certain risk factors that can lead an individual into making unhealthy choices. When an individual suffers from both the disease of addiction and another diagnosable condition, they suffer from a Dual Diagnosis disorder, also known as comorbidity.
Part of the rehab process will be to determine whether a person suffers from this type of condition.
It is very difficult to determine which condition may have predated the other. Often the repercussions of drug addiction, such as the loss of a job or home, can lead to anxiety. It is also possible that anxiety can lead to the manifestation of symptoms that require pain management, which in turn can lead to addiction.
The important aspect to keep in mind is that treatment for addiction at a good treatment facility will include a thorough intake to determine if a Dual Diagnosis condition exists. Both issues must be treated at the same time to increase the likelihood that the individual will stay in recovery for the long haul.
Alternative Therapy
Known professionally as Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM), alternative therapies have been shown to be effective for some drug users for nearly a decade. These types of therapies often involve the entire person, including activities such as meditation, yoga, or Reiki. The use of these types of therapy is voluntary, of course, but can provide much needed peace of mind and relaxation during a difficult time.
The history of alternative therapies goes back thousands of years, according to the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine. In fact, Hippocrates, the Greek scholar for whom the Hippocratic Oath doctors take to do no harm is named „ indicated that the spirit is linked directly to healing. He believed that in order to achieve good, balanced health, an individual should be in harmony with his own attitude, his surroundings, and the healing powers of nature.
Aftercare
Once your loved one has completed their rehab stint for Percocet, they will enter the aftercare recovery stage of their journey. Aftercare can come from many sources, including family and friends, support groups, or even a sober living home environment.
A sober living home may be necessary if anyone still residing in the home has an active addiction disease. Because the withdrawal symptoms early in the recovery process are so strong, it is best for a recovering addict to stay away from harmful influences. A sober living home is a community of individuals sharing a residence who have made the conscious decision to manage their addictions in a healthy way. They may or may not all suffer from Percocet addiction; some may be recovering from other addictions but the effect is still the same. Each member of the household has certain responsibilities, including paying their rent, maintaining employment, and helping each other stay off drugs.
It is important to look at the environment surrounding the home and make appropriate changes. Are there individuals in the person’s life who are not a good influence for a newly recovering addict? Does the route he or she takes home from work pass by an area where they used to purchase Percocet? If this is the case, it might be a good idea to find another route to avoid the temptation to purchase the drug again.
Recovery for Percocet addiction is a lifelong endeavor, just like managing heart disease or high blood pressure. If an individual suffering from Percocet addiction can be shown the negative effects on their overall health and quality of life, they may choose to get the help they need to survive. Give us a call at 760.548.4032 to learn more.