Pain Medication Addiction Help

Pain Medication Addiction

Painkiller addiction is one of the most widespread and least understood addictions in society today. Painkiller addiction is often defined by a compulsive use of painkillers that lead to harm or some form of dysfunction, and the continued use of painkillers in spite of this harm or dysfunction. There are several formats in which pain medications are distributed from over the counter medications to the addictive prescription based pain medications.

Trying to diagnose early signs of painkiller addiction in yourself or a loved one can be very tricky. Recovery Direct are experts in assessment of pain medication addictions and the most appropriate models of treatment.

Prescription Painkiller Drug Addiction Rehabilitation

You can turn it around now! Get real help with prescription painkiller addiction in South Africa.

Help for Painkiller Addicts

Prescription medications are most frequently prescribed in a way that will decrease the chances for patients to develop dependence, tolerance or addiction. Most pain medication is only prescribed on a short term basis. When these prescription drugs are over used or misused, the risks of dependence and addiction start to emerge. Using prescription medication outside of what is prescribed by your doctor is a clear sign of a developing addiction to pain medications.

Opioid Pain Medications

Opioid drugs function by blocking the opioid receptors in the brain and spinal cord. They limit the transmission of pain messages to the brain and so inhibit the brain’s ability to process “feeling pain”.[/su_box]

Painkiller Types

Low-efficacy opioids include codeine which is often used in combination with over the counter painkillers like paracetamol and ibuprofen. Moderate-efficacy opioids include dihydrocodeine, common in tilidine and tramadol. These opioids are designed for moderate pain relief – they should not be taken with other opioids or alcohol. High-efficacy opioids are designed for more extreme pain relief and includes morphine and pethidine.

Need Help With Your/Loved one’s Pain Medication Addiction?

Recovery Direct’s specialised addiction and trauma counsellors are specialists in handling patients with painkiller addiction issues.

Prescription Opioid Addiction

Street Names	Commercial Names	Common Forms	Common Ways Taken	Schedule
Captain Cody, Cody, Lean, Schoolboy, Sizzurp, Purple Drank With gluteth- imide: Doors & Fours, Loads, Pancakes and Syrup	Codeine (various brand names)	Tablet, capsule, liquid	Injected, swallowed (often mixed with soda and flavorings)	II, III, V**
Apache, China Girl, China White, Dance Fever, Friend, Goodfella, Jackpot, Murder 8, Tango and Cash, TNT	Fentanyl (Actiq^®, Duragesic^®, Sublimaze^®)	Lozenge, sublingual tablet, film, buccal tablet	Injected, smoked, snorted	II**
Vike, Watson-387	Hydrocodone or dihydrocodeinone (Vicodin^®, Lortab^®, Lorcet^®, and others)	Capsule, liquid, tablet	Swallowed, snorted, injected	II**
D, Dillies, Footballs, Juice, Smack	Hydromorphone (Dilaudid^®)	Liquid, suppository	Injected, rectal	II**
Demmies, Pain Killer	Meperidine (Demerol^®)	Tablet, liquid	Swallowed, snorted, injected	II**
Amidone, Fizzies With MDMA: Chocolate Chip Cookies	Methadone (Dolophine^®, Methadose^®)	Tablet, dispersible tablet, liquid	Swallowed, injected	II**
M, Miss Emma, Monkey, White Stuff	Morphine (Duramorph^®, Roxanol^®)	Tablet, liquid, capsule, suppository	Injected, swallowed, smoked	II, III**
O.C., Oxycet, Oxycotton, Oxy, Hillbilly Heroin, Percs	Oxycodone (OxyContin^®, Percodan^®, Percocet^®, and others)	Capsule, liquid, tablet	Swallowed, snorted, injected	II**
Biscuits, Blue Heaven, Blues, Mrs. O, O Bomb, Octagons, Stop Signs	Oxymorphone (Opana^®)	Tablet	Swallowed, snorted, injected	II**

Possible Health Effects
Short-term	Pain relief, drowsiness, nausea, constipation, euphoria, confusion, slowed breathing, death.
Long-term	Unknown.
Other Health-related Issues	Pregnancy: Miscarriage, low birth weight, neonatal abstinence syndrome. Older adults: higher risk of accidental misuse or abuse because many older adults have multiple prescriptions, increasing the risk of drug-drug interactions, and breakdown of drugs slows with age; also, many older adults are treated with prescription medications for pain. Risk of HIV, hepatitis, and other infectious diseases from shared needles.
In Combination with Alcohol	Dangerous slowing of heart rate and breathing leading to coma or death.
Withdrawal Symptoms	Restlessness, muscle and bone pain, insomnia, diarrhea, vomiting, cold flashes with goose bumps (“cold turkey”), leg movements.
Treatment Options
Medications	Methadone Buprenorphine Naltrexone (short- and long-acting)
Behavioural Therapies	Behavioural therapies that have helped treat addiction to heroin may be useful in treating prescription opioid addiction.

Drug addiction issues are not limited to illicit drug use. Prescription and over the counter medication play a significant role in the greater addiction picture, especially on the painkiller front. Recovery Direct are experts in helping patients addicted to painkiller medication. Chat to one of our addiction counsellors today to get the help you need.