Signs You Might Be Accidentally Addicted to Pain Medications 

Pain medications serve an important medical role. Painkillers are a powerful tool for people with temporary pain, such as those recovering from an accident or surgery, as well as those with chronic severe pain, to relieve their suffering and discomfort. However, the potency of opioid medications like oxycodone, hydrocodone, and morphine can make these drugs very addictive, and the consequences of abusing opioids can be devastating. That’s why it’s important to know the signs of addiction to pain medications — and where to turn for help if you or a loved one is struggling with prescription drug addiction.

Why Do People Get Addicted to Pain Pills?

Anyone who takes an opioid painkiller is at risk of becoming addicted to pain pills, unfortunately. While the risk is rather low if you’re just taking medication as directed for a short time, the potential for abuse and addiction begins to rise the longer you take them. Even legally prescribed medication can lead to addiction in people with chronic pain. 

The Mayo Clinic says there are several factors that can put someone at a higher risk of developing an opioid use disorder:

• They’re younger (in their teens or 20s).
• They have a personal or family history of misuse of alcohol or other drugs.
• They’re unemployed, living below the poverty line, or otherwise living under a lot of stress.
• They’ve had legal problems in the past, including a previous charge of DUI.
• Their personal history includes problems with work, family, or friends. 
• They have serious depression, anxiety, or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
• They’ve been a victim of physical or sexual abuse.
• They’re prone to risk-taking behavior.
• They use tobacco products heavily.

In situations like this, it’s important to know the signs of addiction to pain medications so you can monitor your at-risk loved ones. According to the Mayo Clinic, people who take opioids regularly will begin to develop a tolerance, meaning their bodies won’t make as many “feel-good” endorphins. When that happens, they might feel like they should increase their dosage to avoid withdrawal symptoms like pain, anxiety, and other physical things. 

How Do You Know if You’re Addicted to Painkillers?

If you’re wondering about the potential signs of addiction to pain medications in your friend or family member, there are general changes to watch for, according to the Mayo Clinic: 

• Taking an opioid without a prescription.
• Using an opioid in a manner other than its prescribed use (taking more than the prescribed dose or taking a drug just for the way it makes you feel).
• Taking a painkiller “just in case,” even if you don’t have pain.
• Mood changes and swings.
• Borrowing medicine from other people, trying to get more prescriptions written, or seeking the same prescription from multiple doctors.
• Poor decision-making abilities.
• Spending much of the day trying to get more opioids.

What Happens When You Stop Taking Medication Cold Turkey?

Now that you understand the signs of addiction to pain medications, you might be tempted to try to quit on your own. While it’s important to find a way to overcome prescription drug addiction due to its long-term impact on your physical and mental health and to avoid an overdose, it is not recommended to quit cold turkey at home. This is because withdrawal symptoms can begin relatively quickly, especially if your body is dependent on the most addictive painkillers.

According to MedlinePlus, early withdrawal symptoms can include things like agitation and anxiety, aches, insomnia, sweating, and runny nose. Late withdrawal symptoms like cramping, diarrhea, dilated pupils, and nausea and vomiting are also possible. A World Health Organization publication says opioid withdrawal can be uncomfortable and difficult without medical support, and many people will feel like they have a very bad flu. The good news is it usually isn’t life-threatening. Still, people who quit cold turkey and make it through the withdrawal symptoms without professional support are much more likely to relapse.

How Long Does It Take to Withdraw from Painkillers?

According to a World Health Organization publication, withdrawal symptoms of short-acting opioids like heroin will begin 8 to 24 hours after last use and continue for 4 to 10 days. Long-acting opioids, such as methadone, will prompt withdrawal symptoms 12 to 48 hours after the last use, and the withdrawal will continue for 10 to 20 days. During this time, patients could experience rather uncomfortable opioid withdrawal symptoms like: 

• Nausea.
• Vomiting.
• Anxiety.
• Insomnia.
• Hot or cold flushes.
• Sweating.
• Muscle cramps.
• Watery discharge from the eyes and nose.
• Diarrhea.

While the symptoms of withdrawal can be quite painful or uncomfortable, it’s important to remember that professional help can make the process much more manageable. At Resurgence Behavioral Health, our medical detox program gives you access to round-the-clock monitoring, medications to help manage your withdrawal symptoms and feel better, and medical assistance as your body rids itself of toxins. By getting help from the experts at our medical detox facility, you can become stable and get through the physical side of withdrawal. You’ll then be prepared for your prescription drug rehab program after detox, where you’ll receive treatment, support, and therapy to overcome the emotional and mental aspects behind your addiction.

Resurgence Can Help if You See the Signs of Addiction to Pain Medications

Opioid addiction is, unfortunately, a very common problem across America, and its consequences and potential to lead to a deadly overdose are tragic. However, these tragedies are preventable, and experts can help you or a loved one get the help you need if you see the signs of addiction to pain medications. At our drug rehab center in Riverside, California, we can provide you with medically supervised detox, inpatient or outpatient prescription drug rehab, effective one-on-one and group therapy options, and other treatments, as well as aftercare support and services even after your treatment is completed. Resurgence Behavioral Health is here to help if painkillers have taken control of your life. Take the first step to recovery today by calling us at 855-458-0050.

External Sources

• Mayo Clinic — How Opioid Use Disorder Occurs
• Mayo Clinic — How to Tell if a Loved One Is Abusing Opioids
• National Library of Medicine — Withdrawal Management
• Medline Plus — Opiate and Opioid Withdrawal

David Rofofsky
After growing up in New York, David chose to get help with substance abuse in California because of the state's reputation for top-tier treatment. There, he found the treatment he needed to achieve more than nine years of recovery. He's been in the drug and alcohol addiction rehab industry for eight years and now serves as the Director of Admissions for Resurgence Behavioral Health. David remains passionate about the field because he understands how hard it is to pick up the phone and ask for help. However, once the call is made, someone's life can be saved.

Research | Editorial