There is a common misconception that if a physician prescribes a drug, it is always safe to use. That is only true for those who follow the instructions and use the medication as intended. It is also only true if the person who the medication is for is the one who takes it. The painkiller abuse can lead to addiction or overdose.
Addiction can still occur even for those who use the medication right. This is why it’s important to know and recognize the warning signs of painkiller addiction. If you or a loved one may have a painkiller addiction, TruHealing Centers wants you to know that treatment is available to help your painkiller abuse.
4 Signs of Painkiller Addiction
There are four key warning signs to consider if you or someone you love takes prescribed painkillers.
1. Taking More Than Prescribed
When you take a drug like an opioid, the body can develop a tolerance to it, meaning you have to take more of the drug to get the same effect. A person with an addiction to a prescription drug may start to take more than the doctor prescribes. It may be that they don’t get the same relief from the painkiller as they did before or that it doesn’t produce an effect they enjoy unless they take a higher dose.
2. Doctor Shopping
“Doctor shopping,” which is a sign of painkiller abuse, describes going from doctor to doctor to get the same prescription. If a physician thinks someone is abusing a drug, they may not provide a refill on it. That means you must find a new doctor to get the prescription if you have an addiction.
Many people see multiple doctors in a short timeframe in order to get the number of pills they need. When that stops working, they look for other sources, such as buying it on the street. They may also ask a friend to get a prescription or steal the pills from someone they know.
3. They Don’t Want to Talk About It
Developing an addiction to pain medication can be confusing. You are taking medication the doctor gives you. When someone tries to talk about it, it’s normal to assume they can’t understand the pain level or the situation.
Anger can surface every time the subject comes up. That irritation is a potential warning sign that something isn’t right. It may just mean the medication isn’t working and the chronic pain leads to crankiness, or it could be someone is defensive about their drug use.
4. Withdrawal
Physical dependency, a component of painkiller addiction, means that you will experience withdrawal symptoms when you stop taking the drug. The symptoms vary based on many factors, but some common warning signs would include:
- Headache
- Muscle aches
- Irritability
- Chills
- Fever
Withdrawal is a sure sign that treatment is necessary. Look for a treatment program specializing in opioid addiction like TruHealing Centers.
TruHealing Centers is an industry leader in both substance abuse treatment and mental health services. We offer a full continuum of care, which means we are with you from detox to aftercare. We believe in individualized care plans that focus on your needs and strengths.
The staff at TruHealing Centers work with clients with all kinds of addictions, including opioid painkillers. With locations all along the east coast, TruHealing Centers can offer help to individuals around the country. We offer a variety of addiction and mental health services, as well, including:
There are also gender-specific programs and care coordination for those who need access to legal, vocational, and spiritual resources.
Discover How We Can Help Your Painkiller Addiction
Having an addiction to painkillers doesn’t have to take over your life. The TruHealing Centers team can give you the strategies and support that you need to end your painkiller addiction. Give us a call today at [Direct] or contact us online for more information.