People across the United States struggle with painkiller abuse and addiction every day. While doctors prescribe painkillers, they can be highly addictive even when taken as prescribed. Unfortunately, when someone takes prescription painkillers regularly, their body quickly builds a tolerance and needs higher doses of medication to feel the same effects. This can quickly lead to medication abuse and painkiller addiction. Luckily, painkiller addiction treatment programs are on the rise, providing clients with safe, effective treatment.
If you or someone you love is struggling with signs of painkiller abuse, our team can help. A Better State provides comprehensive trauma-informed painkiller addiction treatment. With a range of holistic therapies, our team is ready to help you thrive. Call us at 781.412.1488 today to learn more about outpatient treatment and get started.
Common Signs of Painkiller Addiction
Painkillers can be effective and addictive. For some, short-term prescriptions can lead to painkiller cravings, illicit drugs, and other substance abuse behaviors. Most painkillers, like opiates and opioids, work by blocking pain receptors in the brain. At the same time, they create feelings of euphoria that can be highly addictive. Like other addictive substances, painkillers increase dopamine levels in the brain. This can cause a dopamine “reward effect.” The brain makes the essential chemical dopamine every day.
Dopamine is associated with feelings of joy, euphoria, and motivation. Dopamine can also be addictive. Unfortunately, the more dopamine the body gets, the less it will make on its own and the more it will crave. Most times, dopamine is responsible for substance abuse and early addiction.
Common signs of painkiller abuse include:
- Aggression
- Loss of appetite
- Insomnia
- Mood swings
- Paranoia
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Depression
- Constipation
Painkillers work by slowing down the nervous system, which can change a person’s behavior and how they engage with others. Changes in behavior can be signs of substance use, including painkillers.
Am I Addicted to Painkillers?
Some people may become addicted to painkillers when they take them more often than prescribed. While some painkillers are designed for short-term use, like minor injury or surgery, long-term painkillers are also addictive. Six signs of painkiller abuse that lead to addiction include:
- Drug and alcohol cravings
- Drug-seeking behavior
- Mixing prescriptions
- Getting more than one prescription
- Combining painkillers with alcohol
- Crushing, snorting, injecting painkillers
Painkiller abuse and addiction can easily hide from friends and loved ones. For many, symptoms are more persistent during withdrawal. These symptoms include depression, anxiety, hopelessness, trouble concentrating, and, sometimes, seizures. For someone with a co-occurring disorder like depression or anxiety, these symptoms can worsen and persist whether someone continues using painkillers or tries to quit independently.
Painkillers can be especially difficult to stop taking without psychological and medical support. Painkiller addiction treatment is the best way to prevent overdose and find holistic pain management solutions.
Start Painkiller Addiction Treatment in New Hampshire Today
Painkiller abuse happens when someone takes painkillers other than how they are prescribed. Unfortunately, painkiller abuse is common. Many use prescription painkillers to relieve physical, emotional, and psychological pain. Treatment can help. If you or someone you love needs support for painkiller abuse, A Better State is ready to help.
At A Better State, we believe in a different kind of addiction recovery. With a focus on the root cause of addiction, we help clients uncover and treat trauma, mental health conditions, and PTSD for deep healing. With daytime and evening intensive outpatient programs (IOPs) and partial hospitalization programs (PHPs), we make treatment accessible.
Learn More About Painkiller Abuse Symptoms at A Better Stare
Don’t let prescription drugs take over your life. Contact us now at 781.412.1488 to start treatment today.
