People often take painkillers for chronic pain or to treat painful side effects after surgery or injury. When used as prescribed by a medical professional, painkillers can be a safe and effective way to treat pain. Unfortunately, painkillers are also highly addictive and have a high risk of abuse. Individuals struggling with painkiller addiction often do not intend to become addicted. They may be prescribed medication and can quickly become addicted because they are so potent and addictive. Opioids are the most commonly prescribed painkillers, and opioid addiction is the most common painkiller addiction.
If you or someone you know is struggling with an addiction to painkillers, reach out for professional help. At Northpoint Nebraska, we offer addiction treatment for various substances, including painkiller addiction treatment. Our team understands how easily addiction can take over all areas of your life, but we also know that with proper care and support patients can get back to the life they want. For more information about painkiller addiction, call us at 888.351.3834.
The Most Common Painkiller Addiction
Opioid addictions are the most common painkiller addiction. These are synthetic forms of opiates derived from the opium poppy. They are powerful painkillers that work by stopping pain receptors in your brain and creating a sense of euphoria by increasing the release of dopamine. This is what makes them highly addictive and dangerous. Individuals crave these feelings and misuse painkillers by taking more than the prescribed dose. Recognizing the signs of common painkiller addiction early on can prevent significant physical and mental side effects.
Some of the signs of common pain pill addiction are:
- Weight loss
- Changes in mood
- Paranoia
- Acting secretive
- Social withdrawal and isolation
- Change in sleeping patterns
- Stealing medication that does not belong to you
- Visiting multiple doctors to obtain painkiller prescriptions
Some of the commonly abused opioids are Vicodin, OxyContin, and fentanyl. These are extremely difficult to quit without professional help. However, painkiller addiction can lead to heroin and street fentanyl abuse which is dangerous and can be fatal. Early intervention and treatment can ensure individuals achieve sobriety safely and effectively.
Treatment Options for Common Painkiller Addiction
The first step in treating common painkiller addiction is detox. During detox, patients stop their drug use as the remaining drugs and toxins leave their system.
People experience withdrawal symptoms when they stop using because their mind and body has become accustomed to the drug. Stopping their drug use leads to various symptoms that can be painful and uncomfortable. Completing detox in a painkiller addiction treatment program is the safest and most effective way to become sober. At Northpoint Nebraska, our team monitors patients in our inpatient detox center to ensure they are healthy and offer treatments to help manage symptoms.
Below are some common painkiller withdrawal symptoms:
- Intense cravings
- Nausea
- Irritability
- Fever
- Muscle pain
- Runny nose
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Tremors
- Difficulty sleeping Loss of appetite
Once individuals complete detox and become sober, they continue their treatment in our inpatient treatments and therapy programs. In this stage of recovery, patients work on healing their mental and emotional health. Counselors and mental health professionals help them get to the root of their addiction to better understand themselves and their past struggles. Another critical part of addiction treatment is to identify addiction triggers and develop healthy coping strategies to deal with them.
Treating Common Pain Pill Addiction at Northpoint Nebraska
At Northpoint Nebraska, our team can help you or your loved one find healing and lasting recovery. We offer many programs and services to treat common pain pill addiction. Some of these include:
- Drug detox center
- Medical detox program
- Vivitrol treatment
- Relapse prevention program
- Co-occurring disorders treatment
- Cognitive-behavioral therapy
- Dialectical behavior therapy
- Family therapy program
- Group therapy program
To make the first steps in your recovery journey, connect with our team at 888.351.3834.