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PERCODAN ABUSE
*And Other Prescription Abuse*
Kirsten Neilson
Life, Society & Drugs
Section 004
INTRODUCTION
Percodan is a prescribed drug that is given to
relieve moderate to severe pain.
It is a combination of oxycodone, aspirin, caffeine
and other ingredients.
It was brought into the drug market in the 1950’s.
Became less used when Percocet was introduced in
the 1970’s
WHAT HAPPENED?
In the 1970’s Percodan became less prescribed when Percocet
was introduced.
Percocet is the same medicine and used for the same reasons.
The only difference: the aspirin component was replaced with
acetaminophen.
Percocet became more prescribe because it had less severe
side effects when combined with other medicines.
Percodan is mostly used recreational now.
HOW PERCODAN EFFECTS THE BRAIN
Percodan is a powerful, yet addictive pain reliever.
Percodan works by attaching itself to the opiate receptors in the brain
and triggering the release of endorphins and enkephalins, • Molecules which produce pleasure and relieve pain.
The brain isn’t used to being flooded with these molecules repeatedly.
Once a Percodan abuser stops, their brain makes too low of doses and
they become depressed.
The brain will rarely produce endorphins on its own during
withdrawal, causing many people to relapse.
Abdominal pain, cramping, or
tenderness
Bloating
blue lips, fingernails, or skin
Constipation
decreased appetite
Drowsiness
fast, slow, irregular, pounding,
or racing heartbeat or pulse
ACUTE EFFECTS OF PERCODAN ABUSE
increased menstrual flow or
vaginal bleeding
loss of consciousness
nausea or vomiting
prolonged bleeding from cuts
weak or feeble pulse• For a full list of side effects: http://www.drugs.com/sfx/percodan-side-effects.html
Liver damage
Malnutrition
Kidney failure
Physical addiction
Uncontrollable cravings
Tolerance build up
Fatal overdose
CHRONIC EFFECTS OF PERCODAN ABUSE
STATISTICS OF PERCODAN ABUSE
Average of 52 million Americans +12 years have taken
prescription pills without medical reason
6.1 million people have tried them within the past month.
2007, prescription pills were among the most popular
with teens, next to marijuana
• Percodan has been out of use for so long, there is not much recent research on it.
HOW IS PERCODAN TAKEN?
Usually Percodan is in a regular pill form. But many abusers crush
it up into a powder a snort it.
PERCODAN MIXED WITH ALCOHOL
Drinking alcohol with any type of medication usually increases the
effects of that medication. With Percodan, alcohol can increase the
following side effects:
Constipation
Drowsiness
Dizziness
Nausea
Vomiting
PERCODAN MIXED WITH ALCOHOL
Percodan and alcohol are both depressants.• they slow normal body functions like heart rate and
motor skills.• can cause a person’s heart to stop beating and lead
to death.
Since Percodan contains acetaminophen, there can be significant damage to the liver if enough of both substances are consumed at the same time.
P E RC O D A N M I X E D W I T H O T H E R D R U GS
Combining Percodan with stimulants can be even
more dangerous than using alcohol.
Percodan is a depressant, and stimulants offer the
complete opposite effect on the body.
PERCODAN MIXED WITH OTHER DRUGS
mixing Percodan with other drugs causes the
heart to simultaneously speed up and slow down.
Can cause irregular heartbeat or experience heart
failure. The risk of death is high when taking
Percodan with stimulants.
PERCODAN TOLERANCE
What is Tolerance?• When the body becomes accustomed to its chemical
presence• This is usually the first stage of addiction.
when a drug is taken for a period of time, the brain will adjust by turning off some of the receptors.the body stops producing its own chemicals, and begins to rely solely on the drug. This results in tolerance.
PERCODAN TOLERANCE
Percodan stops boosting the chemicals naturally created
by the brain as the brain becomes reliant completely on the
drug.
Over time, the brain has less receptors to be activated, so
Percodan becomes less effective.
In order to obtain the same feeling as they had the first
few times, a person must increase the dose.
This will slowly create a dependence.
HOW EASY IS IT TO OVERDOSE?
A 2011 report called Prescription Painkiller Overdoses stated that
drug overdose fatalities has more than tripled what it was in 1990.
The greater numbers of these drugs were prescription opioid
painkillers such as Percodan.
Opioid drugs depress the central nervous system and slow the
body functions such as respiratory systems and heart rate.
Those who abuse it are at a great risk.• Because abusers develop a tolerance to Percodan, it takes more
and more quantities to get the same sensuality they did when they first started, which increases their chance to overdose.
WHO IS A PERCODAN ABUSER?
Anyone can be a Percodan Abuser.• The effects of abuse are both physical and mental.• Most of the physical side effects happen within the
body and are not visible by others.• The mental side effects can be more noticeable.
• Some things to look for:• Personality changes• Depression• Irritability• Possible eating disorders
- Excessive Sleepiness- Slurred Speech
PERCODAN DETOX TREATMENTS
Although, Percodan is rarely prescribed as it used to be, many
individuals are able to obtain it.
Because it is used as a recreational drug, there is a need for
treatment centers.
The most used methods of treatment is detoxification.
Detoxification is not a long term or all inclusive treatment for
Percodan abuse.
The main goal of detoxification is to relieve a patient of withdrawal
symptoms and get them used to being substance free.
PERCODAN DETOX TREATMENTS
Once an individual is finished with detox, they are
prescribed additional therapy to prevent a relapse.
The most effective treatment for Percodan abuse is
supplying behavioral groups, including support groups.
In 2009, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
reported that prescription painkiller abuse led to
500,000 visits to the emergency room.
WHAT IS PERCODAN ABUSE?
Short Video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6la1uGJ0HCE
PERCODAN TREATMENT CENTER
If you or someone you know is
struggling with addiction
Call:888-374-5724
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