Painkiller Addiction
Painkillers are often used to treat conditions that do not require the advice of a health professional and are therefore widely available over the counter. Higher strengths of the same drug are more often available by prescription only, however can be purchased illegally via various routes.
Groups of painkillers include:
- Paracetamol and NSAIDS (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs)
Common product names include: - Ibuprofen
- Panadol
- Efferalgan
- Doliprane
- Aspirin
- Naproxen
- Piroxicam
- Nabumetone
- Meloxicam
- Sulindac
- Ketropofen
- Tolmetin
- Paracetamol and opiate combinations drugs
Common product names include: - Co-codamol
- Tylex
- Panadeine
- Disprol
- Dihydrocodeine
- Codydramol
- Oxycodone
- Hydrocodone
- COX-2 inhibitors (form of NSAIDS)
Common product names include: - Celecoxib
- Valdecoxib
- Rofecoxib
- Opiates and morphinomimetics
Common product names include: - Morphine
- Diamorphine
- Pethidine
- Codeine
- Oxycontin
How does an addiction to painkillers develop?
Some people develop physical and psychological addictions to painkillers due to an initial prescription for pain relief. In these cases it is extremely important to get the right professional help to detox safely and negate the effects of withdrawal. Additionally, it is vital to get professional support to formulate an ongoing pain management plan if the addiction arose from a need for pain relief. Other painkiller addictions develop out of people using painkillers to come down from using other drugs, such as speed or other amphetamines. However a painkiller addiction has develop, it is vital to get suitable help in a clinic that can help address the physical and psychological affects of painkiller abuse.
Risks
An addiction to painkillers can present serious physical risks. Abusing painkillers can cause potentially fatal liver damage and the risk is further increased when overdoses occurs. Painkillers carry significant side effects that can not always be predicted, this is especially true when painkillers are taken with other substances, i.e. alcohol or methamphetamines. The chances of an accidental overdose are high and any more than the stated dose prescribed for a specific aliment should be considered dangerous.
Getting the right treatment for a painkiller addiction is life changing and can be life saving.
