I live with a percacet junkie

[deadend911]

M y name is charlene. My ex-husband is addicted to oxy cotin.He gets 240 per month.He knows he is addicted.I have to hide them but he still finds them. I am running out of spots to hide them.can you send me infomation on the effects these pills have on his body?he has been taking them for almost 7years. at first he would buy trhem,now for the last 2-3 years his doctor is writting a prescription.what can happen when you take more than 15 per day, up to 25 maybe 30?
PLEASE HELP??????????????!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!11

[J T Junig, MD PhD]

Percocet contains acetominophen, which can be very toxic to the liver, particularly in doses greater than 4 grams per day (the amount in 8 of the extra-strength percocet tablets).  Taking more than that can eventually cause cirrhosis of the liver, a chronic, potentially fatal illness.

The greater effects of percocet, however, are on the mind;  addiction changes a person, making him emotionally distant, irritable, and basically 'checked out' of relationships.   Opiate addicts can become extremely manipulative, and can lie so much that they eventually don't even know what the truth is.  

Opiate addiction is a very difficult thing to treat, to recover from, and to live with.  There are treatment options, but the addict has to want to get better... and that sometimes never happens.  You will want to seek out and read about opiate addiction, and perhaps talk to your physician about the options available in your area.

JJ

[WMN854]

I don't know what to tell you. Maybe some of the others here can help. All I know is you think they make you feel better, but once you are away from them you realize how awful they really made you feel. It affects your life in so many negative ways. Good luck.

[deadend911]

I know this sounds unreal,but he does get 240 per month.I have to hide them.I always have to put them in a new place everyday. He only goes to one doctor.This is the only doc. who will give them to him.He has 4 different diseases in his back.they are documented in our hospitals (emerg) and also with specialists.They all say there is nothing they can do.His doctor  tells him not feel guilty for taking them.but I live him( no longer as husband) it has been this way for the last 4 years. we have 2 girls.he is only supposed to take 8 per day,but alot of the times he looks and find them then will take  up 20 or more because they make him feel happy!!!! also the easy name we call them in canada is percocet,but they are known as oxy?!. I want to thank you for taking the time also to let me vent. please if can give me any ideas on how to get him  listen to reason .

[GA Guy]

The title says Percocet junkie, but in here post she says Oxycontin. Eight Percocet's a day would surely pass the 4,000mg a day limit on APAP. 240 Oxycontin a month is not uncommon...however, it's also possible he's getting them from different doctor's.

[WMN854]

I know this is mostly a doctors forum, but I was wondering how someone can prescribe 240 pills a month? Is that normal for chronic pain? I mean even if he takes them as prescribed that's 8 a day. It would seem hard not to get addicted taking 8 a day.