Many people can suffer from painkiller addiction. Painkillers, including prescription opioids, are given to people who struggle with significant pain and acute situations, such as recovery after surgery. Yet, even if you follow the doctor’s orders, you may find yourself dealing with addiction. Knowing the signs of painkiller addiction is critical to getting the help you need to avoid the worst outcome. Our team at Crestview Recovery can offer the support you need if you are addicted to painkillers. Our holistic drug rehab therapy helps you overcome a variety of different issues and helps you live a life that is free from drug or substance use.
Signs of Painkiller Addiction
Using painkillers for any need should be done very carefully. As soon as you can stop using them, you should. If you have chronic pain and debilitating health conditions, work closely with your doctor to ensure you can safely stop taking them or switch to a non-addictive solution. Knowing the signs of painkiller addiction can help you see when it may be necessary to take this step.
Needing to Use More
Do you need to use more than what your doctor prescribes for you? As you take opioids, which are what most common painkillers are, they begin to alter the way the brain communicates within itself. It also starts to form tolerance. That means your body needs more and more of the same substance to reach the same level of pain-free living.
Running Out Too Soon
If you are using more of your prescription than what the doctor orders, that can indicate there is a problem with your drug use. You may even be trying to use additional drugs to try and stretch out the use. Some people begin using illicit painkillers as a way to help them.
Intense Withdrawal
Many people can define addiction and dependence by what happens when they do not get the drugs they are using. You may feel intense pain, discomfort, and even feel physically ill when you stop using the drugs that you have relied on for pain relief. You may be moody or unable to concentrate. These are signs of painkiller addiction and you should seek treatment from a traditional outpatient treatment program or an intensive outpatient program (IOP).
What Should You Look for?
You may spot some signs of painkiller addiction in your loved one. This includes:
- Thinking about their drugs often
- Financial struggles as they try to find more
- Doctor shopping
- Withdrawing from family and friends
- Stealing medications from others
- No longer having an interest in activities they enjoyed
- Struggling with work or home responsibilities
What Can You Do?
There is help available if you find that you are struggling with drug addiction. At Crestview Recovery, we offer a range of treatment options to provide fast help. This may include:
- Partial hospitalization treatment (PHP)
- Mental health therapist in Portland OR
- Rehab aftercare support
- Mental health disorder treatment
When you are facing the signs of painkiller addiction, do not wait. You already know there is a problem. Help is available to you. Crestview Recovery also offers a variety of therapy options to help you through treatment. These include individual therapy for drug and alcohol addiction, group therapy, and a family therapy program. We help you find what works best for you.
Find Help at Crestview
If you see the signs of painkiller addiction in yourself or your loved one, act quickly to get help. Our team at Crestview Recovery has the resources to help you. Even if you are unsure if you can stop or if you should, let our therapists help you gain insight into what’s happening. To get started, call 866.262.0531 to speak to our counseling team.
Since 2016, Dr. Merle Williamson, a graduate of Oregon Health Sciences University, has been the Medical Director at Crestview Recovery, bringing a rich background in addiction medicine from his time at Hazelden Treatment Center. He oversees outpatient drug and alcohol treatments, providing medical care, setting policies, detox protocols, and quality assurance measures. Before specializing in addiction medicine, he spent 25 years in anesthesiology, serving as Chair of Hospital Pharmacy and Therapeutics Committee and Chief of Anesthesia at Kaiser Permanente. This experience gives him a unique perspective on treating prescription drug addiction.
