Painkiller addiction is serious as it can affect anyone. If you’re forced to take a common painkiller like Ibuprofen, then it’s surprisingly easy to build up a dependency to it. Before you know it, your life can’t function without taking multiple pills per day. As a result, you end up suffering from addiction.
How do people get addicted to painkillers?
Painkillers are used to do just that, kill the pain. They’re available everywhere, and you don’t even need a prescription to buy them but often prescription painkillers will be stronger. This means they’re easily accessible, which is one of the reasons so many people suffer from painkiller addiction in the UK.
The problem stems from the fact that you take this medication to treat an underlying issue. More often than not, the issue is chronic pain. Whether that’s from an injury or another health condition, the simple fact is that painkillers like Ibuprofen offer near-instant relief.
Consequently, it’s easy to slip into a cycle where you depend on Ibuprofen to function properly. You feel like you need it to get rid of chronic pain, and this leads to you taking more and more every single day – even when the underlying health issue has gone. Painkillers are highly addictive because they don’t just numb your pain, they also provide a slight sense of relaxation or euphoria – particularly when many are taken. Thus, Ibuprofen addiction is just a few steps away.
Painkiller addiction symptoms
You must act quickly if you suspect that you or someone you care about suffers from this addiction. The best way to do this is to identify the main painkiller addiction symptoms as soon as possible:
- Excessive sweating
- Lack of sleep
- Dilated pupils
- Slurring of speech
- Buying a large number of painkillers
- Lack of focus
- Hallucinations
- Confusion
- Severe mood swings
- Depression and anxiety
- Continued use of painkillers after the initial pain or health problem has gone
- Always carrying painkillers around wherever you go
There are so many symptoms to be wary of, but these are the main ones to look for. If you spot any of them, then you need to act fast!
The dangers of painkiller addiction
When taken correctly, painkillers like Ibuprofen have few risks. They are designed to help treat your pain, but Ibuprofen addiction can lead to some serious health concerns.
The problem is when you start taking more than you need. This can lead to liver and kidney damage, along with damage to your stomach. The more painkillers you take, the more tolerant your body becomes. As such, you’re forced to take even higher doses to see the desired effects. In turn, this leads to more severe issues like problems breathing, extremely low blood pressure, and the risk of overdose.
That’s right, an overdose is a very real risk with painkiller addiction, and it can ultimately lead to death.
Treatment for Painkiller Addiction
You don’t have to suffer from this addiction forever. Treatments are available, and they start with a detox. This helps flush out all the toxins from your body and almost resets your system to what it was like before your Ibuprofen addiction.
Of course, this is easier said than done, but we’re here to help you with all of it. We can help you get through your detox safely while managing any withdrawal symptoms you experience. Other treatments are likely required, such as counselling and behavioural therapy.
Our rehab clinic will provide all the answers you need to beat your addiction and get back to normal. If you suffer from this problem yourself, or know of someone who does, then get in touch with us today to learn how we can help.
