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When people are struggling with painkiller addiction, a number of questions come up. Here are some of the most common questions concerning painkiller addiction that we receive here at Michael’s House in Palm Springs.

If I Have a Prescription for Painkillers, Will I Develop Painkiller Addiction?

No. Many people take painkillers for brief periods and then stop taking them without a problem. The smallest dose possible and a doctor who makes sure you have an exit strategy can help ensure that your painkiller prescription doesn’t turn into painkiller addiction.

It is important to recognize that most people who develop a painkiller addiction do so when they begin taking a regular prescription after an acute injury or as a treatment for chronic pain.

Does Physical Dependence Equal Painkiller Addiction?

No. Again, a number of people take prescription painkillers every day and do not develop painkiller addiction. Becoming physically dependent upon prescription painkillers is almost inevitable with long-term prescriptions. Painkillers are opioid-based, which means they bind to the opiate receptors in your brain and intercept your experience of pain. Over time, you need more and more of the drug to experience the same pain killing effects; this is the hallmark of physical dependence. Without psychological addiction, it’s nothing more.

What Are the Signs of Painkiller Addiction?

There are a number of signs of painkiller addiction, and the most important one is psychological addiction. When your opiate painkiller binds to the opiate receptors in your brain, it triggers a euphoric response via the pleasure pathway. This feeling is addictive to many; they crave it and seek it out by increasing their painkiller dose or supplementing their prescription with other drugs and fraudulent prescriptions. This behavior is another sign of painkiller addiction. Other signs include: losing your job, emptying your bank accounts, fighting with family members and co-workers, all because of painkiller abuse.

Can Painkiller Addiction Kill Me?

Yes. Painkiller addiction can kill you slowly or it can kill you quickly. In the short-term, during painkiller addiction, you risk accidental overdose or death due to negligent choices under the influence. Driving under the influence is another common -and deadly – problem associated with painkiller addiction. In the long-term, extended painkiller addiction can mean respiratory problems, liver failure, heart disease, heart failure and more.

Your painkiller addiction can also kill others. Having large amount of painkillers around the house can tempt teens to experiment and end up overdosing as a result. Also, your negligence under the influence can mean accidents that hurt your loved ones.

How Do I Stop Painkiller Addiction?

At Michael’s House, we can help you break free from painkiller addiction with our painkiller addiction treatment program. Here we offer a variety of different types of painkiller detox followed by therapy and counseling as well as a number of alternative, holistic treatment options. Followed by aftercare services that include group sessions and personal therapy as well as other referrals to local treatment options, you are guaranteed a solid, well-rounded painkiller addiction treatment. Contact us at 1-877-345-8494 now to get more information about our painkiller addiction treatment program.