If your doctor prescribed prescription painkillers following surgery or for chronic pain, you might have found yourself becoming addicted to them after long-term use. Painkiller addiction often leads to an obsession with finding more of the medication, even if you no longer have a prescription. Learn more about the signs of painkiller addiction and reach out for help today from Fresh Start Recovery Center in Maryland.
What Are Painkillers?
Prescription painkillers refer to opioid pain relievers, including the following drugs:
- Vicodin (hydrocodone)
- Methadone
- OxyContin (oxycodone)
- Opana (oxymorphone)
While these medications are highly effective in treating pain, they can also be addictive. For this reason, it’s important to follow your doctor’s dosage instructions and talk to your doctor if you have any past issues with substance abuse.
Signs that you may have become dependent on pain killers include the following:
- Headaches
- Nausea
- Defensiveness
- Temperature changes
- Social withdrawal
Physical Side Effect of Painkiller Addiction
Prescription painkillers are also known as analgesics. The physical side effects of these drugs put your health and well-being in danger.
The physical side effects of painkiller addiction include the following:
- Sluggishness
- Respiratory ailments
- Liver/kidney disease
- Lowered immunity
- Dilated pupils
- Slurred speech
- Cardiovascular problems
- Constipation
- Nausea
- Itchiness
Behavioral Changes that Indicate Abuse of Painkillers
You may begin to notice behavioral changes if you continue to use pain killers after the period prescribed by your physician. Here are some examples of behavioral changes associated with a dependence on narcotics:
- Social isolation – When you are under the influence of painkillers, you may isolate yourself from family and friends.
- Financial issues – If you crave the drug all the time, you may spend a significant amount of your income purchasing illicit painkillers. You may even find yourself forging prescriptions or stealing pills from others.
- Joblessness – Along with relationships, you may begin to neglect your job and end up getting terminated due to your painkiller abuse.
- Criminal behavior – If you suddenly begin to commit crimes such as stealing to pay for more painkillers, this is a clear sign that you have a problem that needs immediate attention.
Group therapy sessions can help you work through your feelings and emotions. You receive the support of other clients and can offer emotional support to others in your group.
Psychological Symptoms of Painkiller Addiction
From suicidal thoughts to sudden mood swings, painkillers also take a psychological toll on your mind. You may develop feelings of depression because you want to stop using painkillers but can’t do so independently. Participating in a drug addiction treatment program can help you overcome your painkiller addiction in a supervised environment with medically assisted recovery.
If you have begun to neglect your responsibilities, such as paying bills or cleaning your house, it may indicate depression and anxiety associated with addiction.
The law now holds doctors who overprescribe pain medications liable for inappropriate prescriptions. This may help reduce the incidents of addiction in the coming years. If possible, avoid painkiller prescriptions that can cause a relapse and jeopardize your recovery.
For clients who have co-occurring mental health disorders, we offer dual diagnosis treatment programs that address mental and substance use disorders. This provides the most comprehensive way to get to the root of your addiction and develop coping skills to avoid a relapse. Our counselors and medical staff do everything they can to facilitate your recovery.
Painkiller Addiction Treatment in Maryland
There are many benefits to attending treatment programs at Fresh Start Recovery Center in Maryland. We offer a variety of approaches in order to meet your needs and schedule. From intensive outpatient care to partial hospitalization, we will develop a treatment plan that gives you the highest chance of achieving lifelong sobriety. Contact us at 833.625.0398 to begin your recovery with one of our rehab admissions counselors.
