Painkillers are some of the most widely prescribed medications, largely because pain is so prevalent—whether it’s for chronic pain, post-surgery, or any number of painful scenarios. While they tend to be used more often with age, know that anybody is susceptible to forming a painkiller addiction. Commonly abused painkillers tend to be ones found in bathroom cabinets at home, some outdated, and most prescribed to somebody else.
Knowing the kinds of painkillers that are commonly abused can make your household safer for everyone. It is important to learn about how painkillers can be stored safely and administered correctly and what to do if someone you know may be reliant on them. It’s our goal to help others overcome their addiction, and prevention is key in ensuring new ones don’t form, or that old ones never resurface. Prescription drug addiction treatment in Florida is available to anyone in need.
Understanding the Reasons for Painkiller Abuse
Unlike most other commonly abused drugs, painkiller addictions tend to begin within the home. This can start in a number of ways, from misplaced curiosity to dissatisfaction with the effectiveness of a prescription. For some, the notion that “painkillers make you feel better” often supersedes the label on the bottle. Ensuring that everyone is on the same page about who is taking which medications can drastically reduce the risk of unintended usage.
Additionally, drugs that are touted as negating pain and releasing positive effects can draw in those suffering from depression, anxiety, or a whole swath of mental illnesses. While the proper route may be medication, it’s more crucial that this process happens officially in order to manage the dosage and potential side effects. Forming an addiction as part of a psychiatric disorder is unhelpful, to say the least—a co-occurring disorder forms as a result of a substance use disorder and an existing mental health condition creating a cyclical, worsening loop. Many addiction treatment facilities offer co-occurring disorder treatment.
Types of Commonly Abused Painkillers
As for the types of medications that most often lead to substance abuse, more addictive substances tend to be those that induce some positive effects. Opiates, for example, are effective painkillers and cause an elevated sense of joy or euphoria. Something like acetaminophen is almost impossible to form an addiction to because it’s subtractive in how it deals with pain.
The most commonly abused painkillers include:
- Morphine
- Codeine
- Oxycodone
- Hydrocodone
- Fentanyl
These substances treat pain in a way that not only clouds pain receptors but adds other chemical processes that can contribute to addiction. Attempting to stop usage, even when prescribed, can be a painful process. Withdrawal is a significant component in the formation of addictions, and painkillers are no exception—withdrawal can feel like self-destruction after enough improper usage and without the assistance of medically assisted treatment.
Prevention and Persistence in Overcoming Addiction
Painkiller addiction is, like any addiction, something that progressively worsens with time. Due to the perception many of us have about forming an addiction, it’s reasonable that even people who we mutually trust may have trouble admitting they’ve developed a dependency on painkillers. It’s not easy to work through the social difficulties of admitting you’ve come up short, but acknowledgment is an essential part of treatment.
A recovery network makes setting goals and maintaining relationships possible, as well as provide the support necessary to prevent further drug use, ease the pains of withdrawal, and prevent relapse down the line. A polysubstance abuse treatment program in Florida is a versatile option to those in the Miami area. Start your journey today.