“Freedom from Painkiller Addiction: What are the Effects of Drug Abuse?”

Oxycodone, hydrocodone, hydromorphone, and meperidine are all powerful painkillers.

Patients who are suffering through pain may be prescribed with any of these helpful medicines. But that’s not the only thing they have in common. Painkillers are also known for causing adverse effects when they are abused or misused. Most of these substances are potent and habit-forming, meaning they can get a person addicted easily, and their adverse effects can be quite intense.

Today we will be discussing what painkillers do, how addiction affects an individual, and what a drug dependent person can do to get better.

Overview

These substances are used to cure pain ranging from moderate to severe. They can help treat cancer pain, traumatic pain, and post-surgical pain.

However, painkillers are also popular amongst illicit users. Painkillers are frequently abused because they relax the body. It reduces stress while also limiting their inhibitions. They get a rushing sense of euphoria, making them more sociable and confident.

High doses of these drugs can lead to dependence, tolerance, addiction, and even fatal overdose. Unfortunately, in recreational settings, high doses of painkillers are often involved. This puts users at a higher risk of suffering from the adverse effects.

Signs of Abuse

These highly beneficial medicines have a high risk for abuse. Your doctor will likely prescribe them if you’ve been through a major surgery. These painkillers are habit-forming, so if you don’t stick with your prescription, you might develop cravings for their euphoric effects.

If you think someone you love is abusing painkillers, be sure to keep track of their intake. Don’t let them take more than they’re supposed to. If they’re running out of painkillers too quickly, chances are they’re taking them recreationally.

Abuse Effects and Withdrawal

Short term and long term effects can take hold of a person if they take high doses of painkillers in a short period of time. They may even suffer through a fatal overdose.

Cardiovascular problems, nausea, muscle spasms, vomiting, and diarrhea are some of the most common adverse effects. Additionally, these drugs relax a person to the point where they can’t react to their environment properly. This puts them at risk of traffic accidents, particularly when they attempt to drive.

In recreational settings, sharing needles is also a common practice, which means there’s a chance of contracting blood-borne illnesses or infections.

On top of these effects, a person can develop dependence, tolerance, and addiction. At this point, it becomes much harder to quit the drug without medical assistance.

Do not force a user to quit the painkillers as they may only suffer from withdrawal. Instead, help them seek proper treatment.

Addiction Treatment

Painkiller addiction treatment begins with an assessment of the person’s condition. Medical professionals will be able to create a treatment plan based on their drug habits, symptoms, and overall health. Look for a treatment center near you today and help your loved one get back to living an addiction-free life.

After this assessment, they may go through detoxification—a process that involves gradually lowering their intake of painkillers.

Behavioral therapy and other similar methods may help them stay sober, long after the detox process has finished. They may undergo counseling, addiction education, or get into a support group.

The goal is to help them get sober, and then stay sober, so that they can restore their health and live a full life once more.

Addiction Free Solutions

Dont be problem focused. Be solution focused! At Addiction Free Solutions, we know that the solution lies within you. You have to commit to living a sober life. We help connect you with a center that can help assist you from detox and rehab to therapy. We want you to get the help that you need so you can go on and inspire others. Looking for in-patient, out-patient or sober living afterwards? We help you with that as well!