Prescription painkillers like OxyContin, Vicodin, Opana, fentanyl, and Percocet were all created to serve an invaluable purpose. These medications, which can only be prescribed by a licensed physician, are meant to alleviate pain and improve the quality of life for those struggling with discomfort following surgery, an injury, or pain caused by a medical problem.

Understanding Painkiller Abuse

Learn More About Painkiller Addiction

However, because these substances can also bring on intense feelings of euphoria and an inability to experience physical pain, many men and women misuse them and become trapped in the vicious cycle of painkiller abuse.

Similar to the addictive nature that heroin has, painkillers, which are classified as opioids, can be the source of a seemingly inescapable addiction. Once a person’s body has become tolerant and dependent on these sort of drugs, defeating this form of chemical dependence without the help and guidance of trained professionals can be a futile experience that leaves a person embattled with an overwhelming compulsion and desire to abuse painkillers over and over again. However, if you’re someone who is addicted to prescription painkillers, yet is seriously considering treatment at this juncture in your life, it’s pivotal to know that things can get better and that help is available. When you make the brave decision to start treatment, you are choosing your health and happiness over your drug of choice and you’re making way for a bright and successful future. Therefore, don’t mull over this important decision any longer. Call a treatment center, complete an assessment for services, and being living a painkiller-free life today.

Statistics

Statistics of Painkiller Addiction

Every day, over 40 people lose their lives as a result of abusing prescription painkillers in the United States. This shocking statistic was reported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, or CDC, and is but one alarming fact about the dangers of prescription painkiller abuse. In 2013, it was also reported that over 16,000 people experienced an overdose after misusing prescription pain relievers, and, sadly, this number has been climbing. The NIDA, or the National Institute on Drug Abuse, reports that well over fifty million American men and women have abused painkillers for the purposes of getting high, which is likely contributing to the ever-present opioid epidemic that’s taken hold of the country. Considering these startling statistics, it’s imperative that more is done to alert the public about the dangers of painkiller abuse.

Causes

Causes and Risk Factors for Painkiller Abuse

Researchers have tried to uncover the reasons why some people become addicted to prescription painkillers while other don’t. The following are the results of this research and may help you understand what led you to abuse and become addicted to these medications:

Genetic: While you make the conscious choice to abuse prescription painkillers, your genes may have something to do with whether or not you become addicted to these sort of drugs. Researchers have identified certain clusters of genes that can make someone, perhaps you, more vulnerable to grappling with substance abuse and addiction. Therefore, you may want to look into your own family history to see if this has been a concern for others that you’re related to.

Environmental: Your environment can have a powerful influence over whether or not you misuse prescription painkillers. For example, if you socialize with individuals who abuse painkillers, you may be more compelled to engage in the same behavior. Additionally, if you are able to easily get these sort of substances, whether from your own doctor or by taking someone else’s medication, you may be tempted to partake in the abuse of these drugs as well. Lastly, having a history of substance abuse, trauma, or exposure to chaos and crime can all affect your choice to abuse painkillers, which can be even more influenced if you lack coping skills and adequate support from people that you are close to.

Risk Factors:

Experiencing severe acute or chronic pain
Prior substance abuse
Personal history of mental illness
Family history of mental illness
Family history of substance abuse and addiction
Ease of access to prescription pain medications
Lacking healthy coping skills
Prior history of trauma

Signs

Signs and Symptoms of Painkiller Abuse

Depending on the type of painkiller that you’re abusing, the amount of the drug that you take, and the length of time that you’ve misused your painkiller of choice, the signs and symptoms of painkiller abuse can vary. However, if any of the following are affecting your life, you should consider getting treatment at this time:

Behavioral symptoms:

Diminished participation in once enjoyed activities
Slurring speech
Deception regarding whereabouts and/or activities
Using painkillers when its clearly dangerous to do so
Visiting multiple doctors to get prescriptions for painkillers
Stealing medication that has been prescribed to someone else
Continuing to abuse painkillers despite consequences of doing so
Trying but being unable to stop the abuse of painkillers
Spending a great deal of time getting, using, and recovering from painkiller abuse
Social withdrawal and isolation

Physical symptoms:

Itchiness
Pupil dilation
Impaired coordination
Heavy perspiration
Disrupted sleep patterns
Decreased blood pressure
Constipation

Cognitive symptoms:

Confusion
Disorientation
Poor decision-making skills

Psychosocial symptoms:

Depression
Drastic changes in mood
Irritability

Effects

Effects of Painkiller Abuse

It’s crucial for you to know that you don’t have to remain addicted to prescription painkillers and endure the adverse effects that come with this type of chemical dependency problem. Furthermore, when you get professional help, you can prevent the following from happening to you and live the sober life you deserve:

Legal problems
Homelessness
Job loss
Chronic unemployment
Suicide attempt or attempts
Onset of mental health concerns
Financial distress
Family discord
Social isolation
Development of physical health problems
Suicidal ideation
Damaged interpersonal relationships

Co-Occurring Disorders

Learn About Co-Occurring Disorders

Some individuals don’t know that they’re struggling with an undiagnosed mental health disorder at the same time as a painkiller addiction. Because of this, you should pick an addiction treatment center that assesses for and treats co-occurring disorders like the following:

Major depressive disorder
Persistent depressive disorder
Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
Other substance use disorders

Effects of Withdrawal and Overdose

Effects of Withdrawal and Overdose for Painkiller Abuse

Effects of prescription painkiller withdrawal: Successfully getting through withdrawal can set the stage for a long-lasting recovery. Therefore, if you’re tired of enduring the following symptoms and effects of withdrawal and returning to the abuse of prescription painkillers, it’s best to begin the treatment process as soon as you’re able:

Powerful cravings for painkillers
Irritability
Agitation
Heavy perspiration
Watery eyes
Nausea
Vomiting
Fever
Loss of appetite
Runny nose
Pain in bones
Muscle pain
Tremors and twitches
Inability to sleep
Dysphoria
Diarrhea

Effects of prescription painkiller overdose: Emergency medical help is almost always needed if you experience a prescription painkiller overdose. Given this fact, you or someone around you should call 9-1-1 if any of the following begins happening to you after abusing a prescription painkiller(s):