Percocet Detox for Treatment of Withdrawal
Percocet detox is a process that requires medical help, strong determination, and a support system. These steps are necessary since the drug abuse reduced the ability of the body to function properly in their absence.
Medical Detox
Medical detoxing takes place in a facility where medical assistance is readily available. Not all addictions need medical detox. Generally, medical detox is recommended if a person’s health is at risk during the process of detoxification. Medical detoxification is an initial step in the recovery process.
Controlled Taper
Controlled tapering of the drug is another form of addiction therapy. Since the brain has become accustomed to the drugs, to avoid sudden shock, it is better if an individual weans off Percocet slowly. This process aims to minimize withdrawal symptoms. The three tapering methods used are:
- Direct Tapering. This method involves slowly decreasing the strength of Percocet, based on the individual response. The CDC recommends that decreasing the dose by 10% on a weekly basis might be a safe start. However, the exact percentage may vary from person to person. Always consult with a medical professional first.
- Substitution Tapering. This method involves a substitution of the original drug with another, easily tapered drug. This process makes the treatment manageable. This method is used when the original drug of abuse is a low-dose or a short-acting substance.
- Titration Tapering. This tapering method dissolves low doses of drugs in water to decrease the amount of drug being consumed. It is the least preferred method.
Remedies
Apart from medication-based treatment, other remedies to treat addiction are also available. Since Percocet usage can result in nutritional deficits, maintaining a wholesome diet can help. Also, taking multivitamins regularly can help ease withdrawal symptoms. Dehydration is another side effect associated with opioid intake. Thus, drinking enough water can help with the associated symptoms. Trying and developing new hobbies that keep the mind occupied can be helpful as well.
Alternative Treatments for Percocet Withdrawal
In addition to the conventional forms of treatment for Percocet withdrawal, exercise, acupuncture and over-the-counter medications can help in relieving some of the symptoms associated with Percocet withdrawal.
Outpatient Detox
An outpatient detox program is suitable for those individuals who are mentally stable and can travel to the clinic regularly for receiving treatment. However, it mostly depends on the type of drug abuse that is being treated. It has been found that setback rates in people receiving inpatient treatment are much lower than in the outpatient population.
Detoxing at Home
Detoxing at home is a difficult process. It is easy to spiral back into a pattern of drug abuse when detoxing at home since an individual may not have any support to help them through this difficult process.
Risks of Abrupt Discontinuation
Sometimes, people try to abruptly quit drug consumption, what is commonly known as “going cold turkey.” This process usually results in the sudden onset of severe withdrawal symptoms that can raise serious health concerns. Some of the risks associated with abrupt discontinuation are:
- Increased chance of relapse due to the absence of medical help
- Mismanagement of the extreme withdrawal symptoms can have fatal consequences
- Consuming the usual dosage after relapsing carries a high risk of overdose complications since the body can no longer tolerate it
- The absence of counseling or therapy will pose a problem in long-term recovery.
Finding a Detox Center
A crucial step in the addiction treatment and recovery pathway is selecting the appropriate detox center. A detox center will assess a person’s condition and offer a treatment plan including medical assistance and counseling.
