This Article Covers the Following Topics:
- Definition and common street names of Percocet pills
- Causes, effects, and the signs and symptoms of Percocet abuse in teens
- Risks and dangers of Percocet pills addiction
- Residential treatment centers for teens using Percocet pills ( including payment options and insurance coverages in such centers)
- Supporting a teen in residential treatment for Percocet pills abuse
- Self-care tips for caregivers
Parents may have concerns about Percocet pills and their potential for abuse. Percocet is a prescription medication that combines oxycodone, a powerful opioid pain reliever, with acetaminophen. It is used to manage moderate to severe pain. Parents should be aware that percocet has a high potential for addiction and misuse. It can cause drowsiness, confusion, respiratory depression, and other serious side effects. Parents need to communicate with their children about the risks associated with percocet, properly store and dispose of any unused medication, and seek professional guidance if they suspect their child may be misusing or abusing percocet.
If the teen’s percocet abuse has become severe, persistent, or resistant to other forms of treatment, teen residential treatment can provide a structured and intensive therapeutic environment. Signs that may indicate the need for RTC for youth include uncontrollable drug-seeking behavior, repeated unsuccessful attempts to quit or cut back on Percocet use, escalating substance abuse-related problems, impaired functioning in various areas of life, and a lack of progress in outpatient treatment.
Residential treatment is one of the best options to help teenagers overcome its misuse or addiction. This type of treatment occurs in specialized facilities that offer 24-7 care and support for teenagers addicted to different substances.
This article provides more information on teens using Percocet pills, aiming to help you save your teenage son or daughter from the harmful effects of this prescription drug. Let’s get started.
Understanding Percocet Pills Abuse
Definition of Percocet Pills
Percocet is a powerful combination opioid prescription for chronic pain. It can be made in a lab or directly extracted from the opium plant. Doctors mostly prescribe it when non-opioid medications are ineffective in pain management.
Common Street Names for Percocet Pills
If you teenager constantly mentions blue dynamites, rims, buttons, tires, blue, no buffers, blueberries, bananas, 512’s, percs, and ercs. M-30, when on calls with friends, they probably refer to Percocet pills.
How Percocet Pills are Abused
Teenagers who abuse Percocet pills either chew or crush them and snort the powder. Oxycodone, a component of Percocet, can also be crushed, dissolved in water, and injected into the bloodstream.
Signs and Symptoms of Percocet Pills Abuse in Teens
Physical Symptoms
The physical symptoms of Percocet pills abuse in teenagers include slurred speech, exhaustion, constipation, slowed heart rate, poor hygiene; coordination, balance, and motor skills problems, excessive weight loss, fatigue, and shallow breathing.
Behavioral Symptoms
Teens with a Percocet pills disorder tend to show the following behaviors:
- Social Isolation in Teens
- Compulsive Percocet use despite dangerous physical and behavioral symptoms
- Difficulty reducing Percocet use despite attempts
- Inappropriate laughter or excitement over things that are not funny
- Attempts to obtain fraudulent Percocet prescriptions
- Attempts to borrow or addicted to stealing to sustain Percocet pill use
Causes and Effects of Percocet Pills Abuse
Causes of Percocet Pills Abuse include:
- Genetic predisposition
- Environmental factors such as peer pressure, unlimited exposure to Percocet pills
- Poor coping skills
- Trauma
- History of prior substance abuse
Risk factors include:
- An existing impulsive disorder
- Family history of addiction or substance abuse
- Having a condition that warrants a Percocet prescription
- Certain mental illnesses
- A novelty-seeking personality
- Family history of mental illness
Effects of Percocet Pills Abuse
Physical Effects
Physical effects of prolonged and unregulated percocet use include withdrawals, vision problems, physical injuries (mostly sustained under the influence), suicide attempts, cardiovascular damage, death, and overdose.
Psychological Effects
Most teenagers who abuse Percocet pills experience psychological effects such as teenage suicidal ideation, addiction, and the onset or aggravation of mental health disorders such as teen anxiety and depression.
Social Effects
Social effects of Percocet pills abuse include isolation, family problems, stigma, and social withdrawal.
Legal Issues
Legal issues associated with Percocet pills abuse include jail terms, huge legal fees, and fines.
Risks and Dangers of Percocet Pills Addiction for Teens
Percocet addiction poses physical and mental health risks for teenagers. Physical risks include respiratory depression, organ damage, death, and overdose, while mental health risks include the onset or aggravation of co-occurring disorders such as manic depression, schizophrenia, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD in teenagers), bipolar disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, antisocial personality disorder, and teen obsessive-compulsive disorder.
Residential Treatment for Teens Using Percocet Pills
Key Healthcare offer the following treatment programs for teens addicted to Percocet pills at our Malibu, Los Angeles facilities:
Teen Inpatient Treatment Programs
Inpatient treatment programs are administered in our residential treatment centers for teens, where teenagers with substance use disorders get round-the-clock care and support. Teens can expect the following while at our centers: group therapy, holistic and recreation therapies such as surfing and yoga, regular exercise for physical and mental fitness, academic support, teen individual therapy, and a healthy diet.
Intensive Outpatient Treatment Programs (IOPs) for Adolescents
Our teen intensive outpatient program allows teenagers addicted to prescription pills to build self-awareness and self-respect, gain healthy coping skills, and learn to manage their emotions. Additional services include teen aftercare planning, individual therapy, academic support, family participation, and teen group therapy.
Partial Hospitalization Programs (PHPs)
The teen partial hospitalisation program is more vigorous than our intensive outpatient treatment program. It uses a coordinated multidisciplinary clinical treatment approach to help teenagers lead healthy, productive lifestyles. It also offers a structured therapeutic environment and teaches excellent coping skills. At the end of the program, your teenager will have learned how to deal with family issues, control their thoughts, think long-term, and make the correct decisions.
Benefits of Residential Treatment Programs
- Teenagers get a secure and structured environment where they can focus on recovery
- Teenagers learn healthy coping skills allowing them to lead healthy, productive lives outside the facility
- They offer 24-7 care and support to teenagers addicted to different substances
- There ensure zero outside distractions, allowing teenagers to fully focus on recovery
- They allow better management of withdrawal symptoms due to constant monitoring and direct access to mental health professionals
Components of Residential Treatment Programs for Teens Using Percocet Pills
Detoxification Process
Detoxification is a necessary process in Percocet addiction treatment. It uses several acute intoxication and withdrawal management interventions to flush out traces of drugs from the teen’s body in preparation for therapy.
Most mental health and teen addiction treatment professionals recommend medically assisted drug detox programs for patients after thorough medical assessments. In this type of detox, we use medications such as buprenorphine to help manage withdrawal symptoms or shorten their duration.
Psychotherapy
Here are common therapy options for teenagers addicted to Percocet:
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
Our facilities offer cognitive behavioral therapy for teenagers to help them change their thoughts and behaviors. Common CBT activities and techniques include cognitive restructuring, journaling, behavioral experiments, guided discovery, problem-solving, relaxation, and stress management.
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
Dialectical behavior therapy, popularly known as DBT for teens, helps teenagers manage emotions and difficult situations, change negative behavior, and build healthy coping skills for prolonged recovery. Skills learned include mindfulness, interpersonal effectiveness, distress tolerance, and emotion regulation.
Family Therapy
We offer family-inclusive treatment programs in our healthcare facilities. One of our most common approaches is teen family therapy allows teens, parents, and siblings to understand and resolve underlying family issues, learn new communication strategies, and develop healthier relationships.
Group Therapy
We also offer teen group therapy which, for Percocet addiction treatment, brings together adolescents with a Percocet use disorder. Such teenagers enjoy a supportive and safe space for growing resilience, coping with their issues, and building self-awareness. We have observed that teenagers who undergo successful group therapy tend to be more empathetic, confident, and social.
Therapeutic Activities in Residential Treatment Programs for Teens Using Percocet Pills
We offer a structured and therapeutic environment to promote opioid addiction recovery, which explains our facilities’ experiential therapies and recreational activities.
Experiential Therapies
Art therapy
Art therapy for teens is conducted in group settings. Trained art therapists offer teenagers different art materials and guide them through activities such as drawing, photography, coloring, painting, collage-making, and sculpting. Benefits associated with art therapy include self-expression, increased self-esteem, identity exploration, coping skills acquisition, reduced stress, and improved problem-solving.
Music therapy
Teen Music therapy allows teenagers to address their emotional and mental needs. Our music therapists can develop tailored therapy approaches depending on specific patient needs. Common activities in music therapy include playing instruments, songwriting, and listening to music.
Adventure therapy
We administer adventure therapy through hiking and teen surfing to help teenagers develop mindfulness, improve social skills, increase self-sufficiency, and reduce unhealthy cravings.
Recreation Activities
We also allow teenagers to participate in recreational activities such as fitness and exercise, games, sports, and team-building sessions. We also have outdoor activities such as hiking. Associated benefits include stress reduction, improved self-esteem, increased attention span, decreased anxiety, and lower depression risks.
Payment Options and Insurance Coverage for Residential Treatment Programs for Teens Using Percocet Pills
Common payment options for inpatient drug rehabs include:
Self-payment
Parents who choose this payment option can pay from their savings, liquidate an asset, organize a fundraiser, or involve friends and family.
Insurance coverage
You can use your child’s insurance coverage to pay for their treatment, provided the facility has such a program. Before your teen starts treatment, determine whether any deductible or copayment is needed and the number of mental health issues and sessions covered.
Financing options
Financing options are available for parents without the money to pay their teenager’s treatment bills despite requiring immediate attention. Once a repayment plan befitting your budget is designed, the full cost of treatment is sent to the residential drug treatment center so that your teen can immediately start treatment.
Sliding scale fees
Certain facilities offer a personalized payment plan for parents who may not afford the entire cost of rehabilitation based on their financial status and income.
Insurance Coverage
Common insurance coverages include Medicaid, employer-sponsored, and private health insurance. We have partnered with several insurance providers, such as Value Options, MultiPlan, Health Net, Humana One, and Anthem BlueCross, among others, to help you fund your teenager’s treatment. Kindly verify your insurance here to find out more about your coverage.
Choosing the Right Residential Treatment Program for Teens Using Percocet Pills
Accreditation and Licensing
Your child’s Percocet addiction center must be licensed by the state. State licensure shows that the facility is committed to adhering to general safety guidelines and ensuring the validity of its treatment approaches. Other accreditation and licenses include:
- Joint Commission accreditation
- Professional memberships and associations such as the National Association of Addiction Treatment Providers (NAATP), National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC), and Better Business Bureau
- Quality assurance and improvement associations
Treatment Philosophy and Approach
The facility should have diverse treatment philosophies and approaches, such as holistic treatment, evidence-based treatment, 12-step treatment, and dual diagnosis treatment.
Evidence-based treatment
Evidence-based treatment approaches include cognitive behavior therapy for teens, motivational interviewing, dialectical behavior therapy for teens and acceptance, and commitment therapy (ACT for teens).
Holistic treatment
Holistic treatment targets patients’ attitudes. Some holistic therapies at Key Healthcare include art therapy, yoga, and music production.
12-Step treatment
The 12-step treatment approach offers guiding principles to help people addicted to drugs and substances recover. Participants are expected to process every step in their recovery journey for prolonged sobriety.
Dual diagnosis treatment
Your treatment center of choice should offer dual diagnosis treatment to ensure that all your teenager’s conditions, including co-occurring disorders, are professionally diagnosed and treated. Common co-occurring disorders include depression, anxiety, and schizophrenia.
How to Support a Teen in Residential Treatment for Percocet Pills Abuse
Here are a few tips to help you promote your teen’s recovery:
Communication and Involvement
You should be involved in your teenager’s treatment by understanding the treatment process, communicating with the treatment team, and participating in family therapy. Maintaining a supportive home environment for long-lasting recovery is also important.
How to Maintain a Supportive Home Environment
- Safely lock away all prescription pills to prevent triggers
- Engage in open and honest communication with your teenager
- Set boundaries with reasons
- Negotiate roles and responsibilities with your teenager
- Make the house drug and substance-free to prevent relapse
- Make the home environment judgment-free. Do not blame or shame them but listen more than you talk
- Help your teenager create a healthy routine
Benefits of Family Therapy
- It helps develop and maintain healthy boundaries
- It builds empathy and understanding
- It reduces family conflicts
- Offers families a better understanding of the family dynamics hence promoting problem-solving
- It facilitates communication and cohesion
Self-Care for Caregivers
Dealing with a teen in Percocet pills addiction recovery can be physically, mentally, and emotionally draining for parents and caregivers. It is, therefore, important that you also create time to care for yourself. Here are a few self-care techniques for caregivers:
- Understanding caregiver burnout
- Seeking and accepting support from others, such as family members and friends
- Practicing self-care strategies such as exercising regularly, practicing gratitude, setting goals and priorities, eating healthy meals, and staying hydrated.
- Addressing personal needs and concerns. Do not channel all your time and effort toward your teen’s recovery till you neglect your well-being.
Aftercare Services and Support for Teens in Residential Treatment Programs
Individual Discharge Planning
Relapse Prevention Plan
A relapse prevention plan offers a framework to identify and manage relapse risks, helping teens in recovery maintain long-term sobriety. It covers emotional, mental, and physical relapse. When creating a relapse prevention plan, the treatment team and the teenager assess the latter’s drug history, determine signs that could lead to relapse, and establish an action plan.
Referral to Outpatient Treatment Programs
At Key Healthcare, we offer relapse prevention planning and aftercare support in our intensive outpatient program to help your teenager maintain long-term sobriety. Your teenager will also attend group therapy, academic coaching and tutoring, and individual therapy under our IOP program.
Follow-up Care
Follow-up care programs allow teenagers to avoid relapse, maintain recovery, and achieve a long, purposeful life. Our teen extended care program offers a stable and structured home environment for teenagers to grow and recover after residential treatment.
Continuing Care Support
A clinical team, peers, friends, and family members can offer continuing care support. It helps teens in recovery uphold their commitment to sobriety and avoid relapsing.
Support Groups
Common support groups for teenagers recovering from Percocet pills addiction include Narcotics Anonymous, SMART Recovery, teen-specific support groups, and alumni programs. Such groups offer compassion and emotional support, reminding recovering teenagers they are not alone. Additional benefits include:
- They help maintain momentum
- They foster self-acceptance
- Teenagers learn new skills
- They conduct regular meetings that offer inspiration and help put things in perspective
- They offer a safe space for exploring new ideas and behaviors
- Teenagers are constantly reminded of the consequences of substance abuse
- They help prevent relapse
- Teenagers are reminded that they are in charge of their lives
Conclusion
Licensed and accredited residential treatment centers can help your teenager overcome their percocet addiction, regain control of their lives and lead healthy, productive, and fulfilling lives. Do not let a treatable disease rob your child of their teenagehood; instead, reach out to us for the necessary help and support. We have a qualified team of mental health professionals committed to helping your teenager make a successful recovery.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How Long Does Residential Treatment for Percocet Addiction Typically Last?
The duration of residential treatment for Percocet addiction depends on the severity of the condition and whether additional services are required. All in all, your teenager should be away from home for 45-60 days. Note that we also have an extended care program in our facilities, which teenagers can attend after their residential treatment.
Can Family Members Be Involved in the Residential Treatment Process?
Yes. Our residential treatment centers offer family-centered treatment. We have several experienced therapists working with families to help them build healthier boundaries and address communication issues.
What Happens After Residential Treatment for Percocet Addiction?
We have teen aftercare programs that start immediately after successful residential treatment. Our healthcare professionals will help your teenager develop a relapse prevention plan and recommend several outpatient programs to help them sustain long-term recovery. Some, such as the intensive outpatient program, offer aftercare planning and support services to help teenagers stay sober for a prolonged duration. Note that it’s important for your teenager to enroll in an teen rehab aftercare program for better management of triggers and stressors that may lead to relapse.
Can Teens With Co-Occuring Mental Health Disorders Participate in Residential Treatment Programs for Percocet Addiction?
Yes. Our facility has an extended care program where teenagers attend mental health and dual diagnosis addiction treatment during the day and spend the night in sober living facilities, helping them manage common co-occurring disorders such as anxiety, depression, mood disorders, schizophrenia, adolescent behavior problems, and ADHD.
What Happens if a Teen Refuses Participating in Residential Treatment for Percocet Addiction?
Other programs, such as intensive outpatient, adolescent partial hospitalization program, and extended care, can help such teens, especially if they have mild to moderate disorders. However, for adamant teens whose conditions warrant residential treatment, we can have one of our counselors talk to and convince them of the benefits of residential treatment for Percocet addiction and what they stand to gain from our facilities. We may also ask you or someone close to the teenager to talk to them and explain the benefits of residential treatment for their condition.
Can Teens Continue Their Education While in Residential Treatment for Percocet Addiction?
Yes. We offer academic support to help teenagers stay on track with their studies. They can continue their school curriculum or credit recovery through our Mission Academy School. We also have qualified staff members to help them with their studies.
Will Insurance Cover the Cost of Residential Treatment for Teens with Percocet Addiction?
Yes. You can use different insurance coverages to pay for your teen’s Percocet addiction treatment. Confirm with your provider the mental health services and number of sessions covered. Additionally, find out if you need to copay or if there are any deductibles.
Are There Any Age Restrictions for Residential Treatment Programs for Teens With Percocet Addiction?
Currently, our residential treatment centers admit teenagers aged 13-17. However, worry not because we have equally great services, such as partial hospitalization and intensive outpatient therapy for teenagers outside that age bracket.
How Long Does Percocet Stay in Your System?
Percocet’s effects kick in within roughly 10-30 minutes and stay in the system for 3-6 hours. Doctors have to guide on the maximum number of tablets to be taken daily to limit abuse and addiction risks.
Can You Become Addicted to Percocet After Only One Use?
Percocet addiction is mostly brought about by prolonged abuse of Percocet pills. Addiction may therefore take some time.
What is Withdrawal Like for Percocet?
Percocet withdrawal symptoms include depression, cravings, anxiety, diarrhea, dehydration, and vomiting. Less pronounced symptoms include teary eyes, discomfort, muscle aches, restlessness, nausea, sore joints, sleeping difficulties, and restlessness. These symptoms can kick in as early as the first day.
Can You Overdose on Percocet?
Yes. One can overdose on Percocet if they intentionally or accidentally consume too much of it. Call the local emergency number (911) or the national toll-free Poison help hotline (1-800-222-1222) if you suspect an overdose. Signs of teen opioid addiction overdose include an extremely pale face, a limp body, purple/blue fingernails or lips, vomiting or gurgling noises, inability to speak or awaken and slow breathing or heartbeat.