However, the relief they get from Percocet, as well as the accompanying feelings of euphoria, can be hard to resist. Like other opioids, the oxycodone in Percocet is not only a painkiller but also produces a powerful high.

When opioids like Percocet activate opioid receptors in a users’ brain, they block pain signals while also releasing large quantities of dopamine. Dopamine, a neurotransmitter that plays an important role in the brain’s motivation and decision making centers, is responsible for the strong feelings of pleasure that people experience when taking Percocet. 

The high quantities of dopamine released by Percocet cause the drug-taking behavior to be reinforced, effectively hijacking a person’s brain.

Over time, people develop a tolerance to the effects of Percocet. Once the body has adapted to the drug, an individual must take higher or more frequent doses in order to achieve the same effects. This is likely to further increase their physical dependence on Percocet. 

At the same time, individuals with a physical dependence on Percocet are likely to begin suffering from opioid withdrawal symptoms when they stop using the drug. Combined, these factors drive people to find new ways of getting Percocet into their body more effectively.

Many people begin by taking Percocet orally, but once a tolerance develops, snorting Percocet can become an appealing alternative. Non-oral routes of administration, including snorting, smoking, and injecting, can make Percocet more effective for recreational purposes. Snorting oxycodone means that the drug enters the bloodstream more rapidly, which causes a more intense high at a much faster rate. 

For individuals taking Percocet orally as prescribed, it can take over an hour for the effects to set in. Individuals snorting Percocet, however, can often experience initial effects in under 15 minutes. What makes snorting Percocet dangerous is that it increases the risk of overdose, as well as other health complications.