Signs, Symptoms & Effects of Teen Percocet Addiction

Learn More About Teen Percocet Addiction

Whether you’ve known about it for some time or only recently discovered that your teen is struggling with the abuse of Percocet, you’re probably feeling so many emotions right now. From fear, to worry, to even anger at the fact that your teen has chosen to misuse this powerful painkiller. However, now that you know that this issue is impacting your child’s life, you can play an integral role in helping him or her get the treatment that he or she needs.

When Percocet is prescribed to treat pain due to surgery, injury, or a pain condition, it’s very effective. But when this medication is misused, it can bring about a mind- and mood-altering high that is very enticing. Long-term abuse of Percocet can, unfortunately, lead to several adverse effects, including overdose, physical health problems, and the abuse of other drugs like heroin. Thankfully, your teen doesn’t have to remain trapped in the vicious cycle of Percocet abuse and addiction. You can learn about the options for care available for your child, get him or her started in a treatment program, and assist him or her in living the Percocet- and substance-free life that can support a healthy and happy future.

Statistics of Teen Percocet Addiction

Fortunately, the abuse of opioids like Percocet is showing a decline among teens. Compared to five years ago, the number of adolescents who report abusing painkillers like Percocet dropped 45%. Additionally, of the less than 5% of high school-aged children who say that they have abused painkillers like Percocet, the majority of them say they get opioid painkillers including Percocet from their family members. So while these rates show promise for the eradication of Percocet abuse among teens, more still needs to be done to completely phase out this problem.

Causes and Risk Factors of Teen Percocet Addiction

In order to understand why and how your teen has come to grapple with the abuse of Percocet, you must take many things into consideration. The following concepts are those that most addiction experts agree may explain how this sort of substance abuse issue became part of your teen’s life:

Genetic: If your child has a family history of substance abuse, it’s possible that his or her genes may be partially to blame for the abuse of Percocet. Since there are heritable gene clusters that can make some people more susceptible to substance abuse, this could explain why your teen is battling a Percocet addiction if he or she has this sort of familial background.

Environmental: Teens who are able to get their hands on Percocet are more likely to abuse it. Additionally, if a youth has friends who engage in substance abuse, or if a young person is exposed to substance abuse that seems acceptable, the risk for Percocet or other substance abuse is probable. These are but a few examples of how a teen’s environment can play a role in the development of a Percocet addiction.

 Risk Factors:

• Personal history of substance abuse
• Personal history of mental illness
• Family history of substance abuse and addiction
• Early exposure to substance abuse
• Being able to easily get Percocet

Signs and Symptoms of Teen Percocet Addiction

If you’re trying to discern if your teen is struggling with the abuse of Percocet or not, it may be helpful to familiarize yourself with the signs and symptoms of this form of substance abuse. If several of the following are affecting your teen’s life, he or she may benefit from professional treatment:

Behavioral symptoms:

• Using Percocet when it’s risky to do so
• Trying to steal Percocet that was prescribed to someone else
• Trying to steal money to buy Percocet
• Taking Percocet in greater quantities or for a longer period of time than intended
• Continuing to abuse Percocet even after having experienced negative effects as a result

Physical symptoms:

• Withdrawal symptoms when not taking Percocet
• Unintentional weight loss
• Slurred speech
• Slowed heart rate
• Shallow breathing
• Poor coordination
• Insomnia
• Fatigue
• Constipation

Cognitive symptoms:

• Poor concentration
• Memory problems
• Inability to focus
• Impaired judgment

Psychosocial symptoms:

• Mood swings
• Anger
• Agitation
• Aggression

Effects of Teen Percocet Addiction

Ongoing Percocet abuse is not without its adverse effects. Should your teen remain addicted to Percocet, the following are more likely to happen and prevent your child from living a healthy, happy future:

• Vision problems
• Suicide attempts
• Suicidal ideation
• Poor academic performance
• Polysubstance abuse
• Physical injuries while under the influence of Percocet
• Overdose
• Onset or exacerbation of co-occurring mental health disorders
• Onset of withdrawal
• Legal problems
• Family discord
• Disturbed peer relationships
• Death
• Cardiovascular damage
• Academic failure

Co-Occurring Disorders & the Complexity of Teen Percocet Addiction

Percocet abuse is an issue that often exists at the same time as other mental health issues. Given this fact, if your teen gets professional treatment to defeat his or her Percocet addiction, he or she may also receive care for the following:

• Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
• Other substance use disorders
• Depressive disorders
• Bipolar disorder
• Anxiety disorders

Effects of Withdrawal and Overdose of Teen Percocet Addiction

Effects of Percocet withdrawal: Certain types of behaviors and physical symptoms suggest that your teen is grappling with Percocet withdrawal. When these sort of signs become apparent, it’s wise to get your child help. Among the many indicators to keep an eye out for, the following are the most common effects of Percocet withdrawal:

• Watery eyes
• Twitches
• Tremors
• Runny nose
• Raised body temperature
• Insomnia
• Excessive sweating
• Dysphoria
• Dilated pupils
• Diarrhea
• Cravings for Percocet

Effects of Percocet overdose: Witnessing one’s child suffer a Percocet overdose is an experience that no parent or guardian wishes to have. It can be terrifying and lead to a fatal outcome if emergency treatment isn’t sought soon enough. However, if your teen is misusing this medication, he or she is at risk for this sort of outcome and may need you to act on his or her behalf to get the medical attention he or she will need if any of the following effects emerge:

• Vomiting
• Cramping
• Memory problems
• Loss of consciousness
• Coma
• Slurred speech
• Breathing problems
• Decreased heartbeat
• Nausea