Painkillers are often prescribed by doctors to increase the patient comfort levels. While they are effective in serving their purpose, they are also highly addictive. When an addiction forms, it can greatly reduce the quality of life making people worse off than they were when dealing with their original health condition.
Fortunately, there are painkiller addiction treatment centers available to give addicts the help they need. Read on to find out what you can do to get past your dependency issues.
What Are Painkillers?
Painkillers come in many forms. For example, you can buy painkillers such as aspirin and NSAIDS over the counter to relieve temporary aches and pains.
But if the pain is more serious and ongoing, a doctor may prescribe you a stronger pain killer, otherwise known as an opioid.
Opioids are sourced from the opium poppy plant. They work by blocking pain signals from the brain to the body. They also produce feelings of euphoria that contribute to their addictive properties.
There are several types of opioids including the following:
- OxyContin and Vicodin which are available by prescription.
- Fentanyl is also a prescription drug. It is 50 to 100 times more potent than morphine.
- Heroin is an illegal drug mainly found on the streets.
Signs of Painkiller Addiction
Painkiller addiction often starts when patients who were prescribed medication start taking a higher dose than what the doctor recommends. This makes them build up a tolerance so they must continue taking more of the drug to get the same effect. They may also start experiencing withdrawal symptoms when they don’t have the drug in their system.
When an addiction forms, users may try to get prescriptions for higher doses from their doctors. If the doctor denies their request, they will start to get it from the streets increasing the risk that the drug may be made with unsafe ingredients.
In other instances, a person may use painkillers for recreational purposes. They will purchase the drug from a dealer. If they continue using the drug and taking higher doses, an addiction will form.
Here are some telltale signs of painkiller addiction:
- Mood swings
- Euphoria
- Social withdrawal
- Pinpointed pupils
- Sedation
- Slurred speech
- Itchy skin
- Nodding out
- Troubled relationships
- Isolation
- Financial issues
- Legal issues
- Nausea and vomiting
- Constipation
- Dishonest behavior
Are There Painkiller Addiction Treatment Centers?
Painkiller addiction is all too common in today’s world and it’s difficult to beat. Fortunately, there are painkiller addiction treatment centers that will get you the help you need.
The treatment centers will start with a detox process which involves getting your system clean of toxins. They determine a customized therapy plan that treats dependency and its underlying issues. After you leave the center, they will follow up with aftercare ensuring you make a healthy adjustment to sober living.
How To Get Help With Painkiller Addiction Today
If you are dealing with painkiller addiction, don’t let it continue taking over your life. Reach out for help today.
There are several painkiller addiction centers available and a simple internet search will provide a variety of results. But finding the one that’s right for you is more complicated. Atlanta Recovery Place may be your best solution.
At Atlanta Recovery Place, we analyze each of our patients to determine the treatment that’s right for them. We use a dual diagnosis to treat addiction and its underlying causes. We offer partial hospitalization, intensive outpatient and outpatient programs, and follow-up with sober living aftercare to ensure the patient makes a healthy adjustment to sobriety.
Painkiller addiction reduces quality of life, and it can even be fatal. If you or a loved one are affected, don’t hesitate to reach out for the help you need. Call Atlanta Recovery to find out how you can move forward with cleaner living.
