Opioid painkillers can produce a short-lived euphoria, but they are highly addictive. Addiction to opioids does not occur overnight. Before a person develops a dependency on opioids, there is a period when prescription medications are misused. Because opioids are so addictive, misuse can unexpectedly lead to addiction. If you or someone you care about is showing signs of having a painkiller addiction, Fresh Start Recovery Center encourages you to reach out to us. By calling 833.625.0398, you can speak with a trained representative who can tell you more about our painkiller addiction treatment program. We’ll also describe how we work with our clients to develop personalized treatment plans to address particular needs.
Why Are Painkillers Addictive?
Painkillers tap into a part of our brain that controls pleasure, reward, and pain. When individuals consume painkillers, they will access pain relief and experience an elevated mood as a side effect. This side effect is what can get us into trouble.
Common signs of painkiller abuse include:
- Taking opioid painkillers in a higher dose than prescribed
- Taking painkillers more often than prescribed
- Using painkillers not prescribed to you
- Using painkillers to cope with stress, anxiety, or depression
- Snorting, smoking, or injecting painkillers that your doctor told you to take orally
If you or someone you love has been struggling with painkiller abuse, it’s essential to reach out as soon as possible. Early intervention makes a huge difference when it comes to breaking the habit. Keeping that in mind, it’s never too late to seek help. Recovery is always possible.
If you want to stop taking painkillers but finding that you are unable to, it’s a sign that a habit that may have felt under your control is no longer manageable.
Signs of Painkiller Addiction
When occasional misuse of painkillers and other prescription medications turns from occasional abuse to addiction, there are common signs which can include:
- Poor performance or attendance at work
- Social withdrawal and isolation
- Lack of interest in activities or hobbies that you once enjoyed
- Dishonesty about activities and the extent of your painkiller use
- Devoting a large amount of time to acquiring, using, and withdrawing from painkillers
- Continuing to use painkillers in spite of negative impact on your relationships
- Risky behavior such as driving while on painkillers
Someone attempting to acquire multiple prescriptions for painkiller medication by visiting many different doctors is “doctor shopping.” This practice is a clear sign they have a problem. But sometimes, the signs are less obvious. Nowadays, it’s possible for people to purchase prescriptions online. As a result, they can avoid direct contact with doctors or pharmacists who would otherwise notice the problem.
Changes in personal behavior and hygiene can be signs that someone is abusing painkillers or other prescription medications. Retreat and isolation from friends and loved ones is a sign that something is wrong. Furthermore, if you notice someone has started exclusively wearing long-sleeved shirts, especially in warmer weather, it might be a sign that they are injecting drugs. Doing so may be an attempt to hide the visual signs of use.
Long-term abuse often results in job loss. A person can only hide their financial problems for so long. If someone is asking for loans for reasons that sound unusual, it may be a sign they have developed a substance abuse disorder.
Reach Out to Fresh Start Recovery Center Today
The best time to start addiction recovery is always as soon as possible. If you or someone you love is struggling with a painkiller or prescription medication addiction, the medical experts at Fresh Start Recovery Center are here to help. Contact us at 833.625.0398 to speak with a trained representative about our prescription drug addiction treatment program.
