Painkiller addiction can be brought on for several reasons. This all-too-common addiction can be brought on by physical addiction to pain relief. Anyone who has been prescribed painkillers is also susceptible to painkiller addiction if they do not take the medication as prescribed or if it is improperly prescribed (i.e. too many refills over a lengthy period of time, etc.). Painkiller addiction is not just a danger and reality for clients who have dealt with addiction struggles in the past; anyone can be affected. The question is, how can you tell if you have a painkiller addiction?

Potential Signs of Painkiller Addiction

These are some of the major signs indicating that you may have developed an addiction to your painkillers. Please consider getting help for painkiller addiction if these signs sound familiar to you…

• You take your painkillers in a manner other than directed, such as taking more pills than you should or at a greater frequency than prescribed.
• You take painkillers that were not prescribed to you.
• You need more pills to feel an effect as you have built a tolerance to them.
• You are not behaving as you normally do and you are experiencing mood swings and other such signs.
• You are getting painkillers from different doctors and different sources to be able to get more than your initial prescription allows.
• The painkillers are causing you periods of forgetfulness and blackouts.
• You are becoming socially withdrawn due to your painkiller use.

Painkiller Addiction: A Rising Epidemic

Painkiller addiction is one of the fastest-growing problems in the U.S. Due to the fact that many people have the incorrect assumption that painkillers are “safe” because they come from pharmacies and are prescribed by doctors, the problem is quite widespread. Painkillers are also more widely available and they are very physically addictive as well.

Getting Help for Painkiller Addiction

An important step in treatment for painkiller addiction is detoxification. Painkillers can have some tough withdrawal symptoms such as depression, hallucinations, digestive issues, shakes, muscles aches and pain and delirium. Getting detoxification in a center can give you the support you need to fight these symptoms in a safe manner. The rest of treatment is primarily focused on psychotherapy to work on the root sources of the addiction supported by such other means as support group meetings and lifestyle counseling.

If you suspect that you may have a painkiller addiction, don’t wait and wonder. Consult with a professional today; treatment works and it can prevent things from getting worse.

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