Imagine coming home from the hospital after surgery or an illness. You go to the pharmacy to fill a painkiller prescription prescribed to relieve pain as your body heals. Gradually, you may find yourself using the pills more frequently than recommended or taking more than the prescribed dosage. As the days and weeks go by, you find yourself shopping for different doctors who will prescribe you more pain killers. Are you ready to break your painkiller addiction?
Come to Atlanta Detox Center in Atlanta, Georgia, to learn to end your painkiller abuse and begin your recovery in our prescription drug addiction treatment program.
What Are Prescription Painkillers?
Prescription painkillers provide comfort to countless patients across the globe. When used according to directions, painkillers can alleviate pain while you heal. Painkillers consist of opioids, including Demerol, Percocet, Oxycontin, and Vicodin. While they can be potentially helpful, these medications are also highly addictive.
If you have developed a physical dependency on painkillers, it’s important to recognize the signs so that you can get into a reputable drug detox program as soon as possible. Our drug detox center in Atlanta, Georgia, offers a medical detox center supervised by medical professionals and experienced therapists.
Signs of Painkiller Addiction
If someone you love has become hooked on painkillers, you can observe their behavior and look for physical and cognitive changes that indicate they have a painkiller use disorder. Individuals with several of these symptoms may benefit from a prescription drug detox program such as the one at Atlanta Detox Center.
Behavioral symptoms for painkiller addiction include:
- “Doctor shopping,” which is going to multiple doctors to obtain painkiller prescriptions
- Withdrawing from friends and family
- Slurred speech
- Lying about painkiller use
- Stealing medication prescribed to someone else
Some physical symptoms for painkiller addiction are:
- Pupil dilation
- Heavy sweating
- Constipation
- Lower blood pressure
- Itchiness
Cognitive and psychosocial symptoms for painkiller addiction may consist of:
- Depression or mood swings
- Disorientation
- Confusion
- Irritability
The Effects of Painkillers on Mental Health
Most people understand that prescription painkillers are powerful drugs that often lead to addiction. Without seeking substance abuse treatment programs, it may be hard or impossible to stop using painkillers on your own. An effective substance abuse treatment program can help you cope with cravings and learn how to avoid people in places that trigger a relapse.
Continuing prescription painkiller abuse can lead to dire consequences, including suicidal ideations. If you drink alcohol or take other drugs in addition to your painkiller abuse, you can develop a polysubstance addiction. Taking more than one drug at a time complicates your detox and recovery programs, especially if you use drugs that impact your body in opposite ways.
Other consequences of untreated painkiller abuse include the following:
- Arrest and incarceration
- Job loss
- Isolation
- Homelessness
- Financial distress
- Separation or divorce
What You Can Expect During Withdrawal
When you stop taking prescription painkillers in detox or through your own efforts, you will typically have withdrawal symptoms that threaten your physical health and well-being. That’s why it’s essential to go through the process in a supervised program with access to medical professionals.
Withdrawal symptoms for painkillers include powerful cravings, watery eyes, extreme agitation, fever, tremors, vomiting, diarrhea, and nausea. Many clients also report muscle and bone pain and difficulty sleeping during the first days of detox.
Enter Our Painkiller Addiction Treatment Program Today
At Atlanta Recovery Center in Atlanta, Georgia, we rely on evidence-based care in our detox and recovery programs. We also offer an alumni program for clients who need extended support to maintain clean living. If you are ready to give up your painkiller addiction and put faith in your future, contact us today by calling 470.450.2355 or completing our secure online form to find out more about our substance abuse treatment options for painkiller abuse.
