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