Painkiller addiction can be easily missed and easier for an addict to justify over other types of addiction. After all, for the majority who become addicted to pain killers, the initial taking of the drug was due to an injury or other medical reason. A physician prescribed it, and each time the dose was uped’ a physician signed off on a new prescription. However, it is important to be able to distinguish between addiction and tolerance and know when to draw the line and seek help.
It would be easy to blame physicians for patients that develop a pain killer addiction, and in some circumstances; unfortunately, some doctors do play a role in one addiction when they fail to monitor the drugs use in the patient. However, for many who develop a pain killer addiction, they learn the ropes in how to work around the medical staff and how to obtain the drug to feed their addiction. Emergency room jumping is one way an addict will seek out more of the drug. Some will even go to extremes of inflicting self-injuries to be bale to have something to present with when entering an emergency room. For others, they seek the drug out on the streets. It is as available as illegal drugs. Others obtain their drug by the internet.
No one likes to be in pain, little lone want it. Painkillers do play an important role in medical care by significantly decreasing pain and increasing the quality of life for individuals. Patients who have to take pain medication long-term can develop a tolerance to the medication requiring the dose to be constantly increased to achieve the same level of pain relief. The difference between tolerance and addiction falls in the appropriate use of the medication. Most people who are aware of the addictive risks of taking painkillers are very cautious, however, even those patients, if they have a increased risk of addiction, can fall into the addictive pattern of pain killers.
A person developing an addiction to painkillers behavior will begin to change. They may appear less rational than in the past, make feeble excuses to take extra medication such as a hard day at work, and up’s their prescribed dose without getting the doctors okay and new prescription. Their life will revolve around the drug despite any repercussions it is having on their life. A classic sign of addiction is when a person whose pain is under control asks for more painkillers. Although doctors do have ways determining whether pain is under control or not beyond a patient’s self report, it does not stop a patient from obtain more painkillers through other means.
If you need help, are struggling with an addiction, or know of someone who is, please contact A Better Tomorrow Treatment Center today. We are here to help.
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I can see how a person suffering with pain, especially chronic pain, could get into real trouble with pain pills. More pain doesn't equate to more pills, but a person in pain doesn't make that connection. They just want relief, at any cost. I've taken more ibuprofen than the recommended dose myself.
ReplyDeleteI agree, a person who is addicted to pain pills will find them one way or another. Going to different doctors and hospitals is probably second nature to them.
ReplyDeleteI was in an auto accident that resulted in multiple compound fractures in my right arm and leg. To make a long story short I took more of the pain pills than I should have and got hooked on them. It certainly wasn't planned, but it happened anyway. I used to think that only bad people had drug problems but now I know different.
ReplyDeleteI always prided myself on making it through the 60's and 70's without getting caught up in the drug craze. Imagine my shock when I realized that I had developed a problem with my prescription pain meds. Thankfully I was able to work with my medical doctor to get it straightened out. I had no idea how easy that could happen.
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