An addiction to painkillers begins when a person starts to misuse one or more of the medications that were originally prescribed by a trusted doctor as a way of treating severe pain and extreme discomfort. If you are using your medications for more than what your doctor prescribed them, you are not alone. An estimated 18 million Americans misuse prescription painkillers every year. There are numerous dangers of abusing your prescriptions, including many harmful painkiller addiction side effects. If a loved one is struggling with prescription drug abuse, reach out to Midwest Recovery online or call us at 833.627.0039 today to learn how our painkiller addiction drug rehab can help.
What Are Painkillers?
Prescription painkillers are also known as narcotics or opioids. These are drugs often prescribed by doctors and other medical professionals to help at home with the severe pain you are suffering after an accident or while recovering from surgery. When painkillers are taken as directed, there are few dangers because they’re relatively safe and can be beneficial when used properly. However, there is a risk of addiction, and it is important to know the painkiller addiction symptoms. The risks and intensity of painkiller addiction side effects increase greatly when you begin to abuse the medications. If you reach that point, a painkiller addiction treatment may be needed to get you clean and allow you to rebuild your life anew.
The Dangers of Prescription Painkillers
There are many risks of prescription painkillers. For example, taking just one dose too large can cause serious health problems and, in some situations, can lead to death. Speaking of dosage, here’s a dose of reality to consider when it comes to the dangers of prescription painkillers: Deaths from unintended drug overdoses have been rising sharply in recent years. In 2019, prescription painkillers resulted in 14,000 deaths by overdose in the United States alone. That’s more than three times the number of deaths a decade earlier – just 3,400 in 1999!
Misuse of prescription painkillers comes with the risk of overdose that can increase exponentially when painkillers are combined with other drugs or alcohol. It is important for you to be aware of and recognize the many signs of prescription drug misuse in yourself and others you love. If any of the following signs seem familiar, seek out the painkiller addiction treatment program at Midwest Recovery immediately:
- Continue using the prescribed drug even after the pain has ceased
- Manufacture symptoms to get more of the prescription painkillers
- Changes in mood and behavior
- Lack of interest in other treatment options
- Stealing prescription painkillers from others or doctor shopping
- Physical withdrawal when the prescription painkillers are not being used
- Tolerance to the prescription painkillers, meaning more of the drug is needed to relieve pain or to get high
- Withdrawing from family, friends, work, and social life
- Financial problems
- Poor decision making
3 Signs of a Painkiller Addiction
It is important to note that not everyone who uses prescription painkillers will develop addiction symptoms, but the signs of painkiller abuse commonly include:
- Using Painkillers in a Way Not Prescribed by Your Doctor: The primary sign you need painkiller addiction treatment is when you find yourself using painkillers for reasons other than originally prescribed by your doctor. As far as painkiller addiction symptoms go, using them after your pain has ceased and/or taking more than instructed to continue to feel high is a red flag that you are abusing painkillers and that you have developed a dangerous addiction.
- Taking Painkiller Pills with Other Drugs or Alcohol: If you are making a cocktail of your painkillers to feel euphoric relief or get high, you may already be suffering from painkiller addiction. It’s likely that you are or will soon begin to experience harmful painkiller addiction side effects and should seek painkiller addiction treatment from a medical facility like Midwest Recovery.
- Doctor Shopping: Taking someone else’s prescription medication and shopping for doctors to acquire more painkillers is a sure sign that you are addicted and need professional help to detox from painkiller use and abuse.
Learn More at Midwest Recovery
There are many risks of prescription painkillers. Learn how Midwest Recovery can help you get clean and overcome your dependence on painkillers. Contact us using our secure online form or call us at 833.627.0039 today and ask about our prescription drug addiction treatment program.
