Prescription painkillers addiction is never something people choose to go through. When taking their first prescription pain pills, most people truly believe they’ll only use them as their doctor’s direct. On the other hand, they may take pain pills that they purchase on the street because they suffer from undiagnosed mental conditions. There are many reasons why people start taking these drugs, never intending to become part of a nationwide wave of addiction.
Why Prescription Painkillers Are So Addictive
Prescription pain pills stimulate feelings of pleasure or even euphoria. These feelings are much like those people feel when eating, receiving praise or having sex. Because people taking pain pills feel rewarded by doing so, their brain encourages taking more and more of those pills over time.
Many people also assume their doctors won’t give them something that can lead to addiction. Unfortunately, many doctors continue to prescribe these drugs without helping their patients understand the real risks of using them incorrectly. Correct use includes only taking them as the prescription says, not using alcohol or other substances along with the pain pills, and not sharing prescriptions with others.
One reason why many misuse or overuse pain pills is due to a co-occurring mental condition. This type of condition may be one of several mental illnesses, such as depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, ADHD or PTSD. Painkillers can make these individuals feel more calm, relaxed and able to deal with their lives better, at first. But soon that self-medication becomes a full-fledged painkiller addiction.
Other reasons why painkiller use may result in addiction include:
- Genetics
- Brain chemistry imbalance
- Environmental influence and triggers
- Psychological problems
- Family culture of substance abuse
How Can You Know If Someone Has a Prescription Painkillers Addiction?
There are many signs that someone has a painkiller addiction. These can vary from person-to-person and according to how they misuse the pain pills. Still, these symptoms are common to those abusing pain pills:
- Mood swings
- Euphoria
- Social isolation
- Gastrointestinal problems
- Tiny pupils
- Slurred speech
- Itchy skin
- Sleepiness or intense relaxation
Misusing painkillers can lead quickly to painkiller addiction. Sadly, this type of addiction makes a mess of the life of the person using the pain pills. Prescription painkillers can even damage the lives of others around the addicted person.
There are many negative results of painkiller addiction. These include:
- Lost relationships
- Money problems
- Legal problems
- Incarceration
- Homelessness
- Seizures
- Suicidal thoughts
- Fatal overdose
Getting Help for Prescription Painkillers Addiction
Pain pill addiction requires the help of a quality drug and alcohol addiction treatment center if individuals hope for lasting sobriety. It’s very important that this rehab provides a range of therapies. Through group therapy, individual counseling, family therapy and holistic therapies, you can put your life back together for healthy recovery.
At Crestview Recovery in Portland, Oregon, clients gain multiple types of substance abuse counseling and therapy from masters-level therapists. Programs at Crestview include PHP, intensive outpatient and outpatient rehab, with options for supportive aftercare.
If you or someone you love is ready to stop abusing pain pills and regain control over your life, call Crestview Recovery at 866-580-4160. Make this call today, as life is never a sure thing in pain pill addiction. Get the help you need for many healthy tomorrows.
