When recovering from a severe injury or surgery, painkillers can help one find some relief. When you use them following a physician’s instructions, painkillers can be a sure way of mitigating pain for short periods. Alongside giving pain relief, these painkillers often provide a sense of relaxed euphoria, and if they are used outside of their intended purpose, they can potentially cause addiction. If you or your loved one have a problem with painkiller addiction, you can find help in a substance detox center in Florida, like Serenity House Detox & Recovery.
How Does Painkiller Addiction Happen?
Painkillers are drugs produced as opiates (synthetically produced opioids), which are highly addictive substances. After prolonged use and abuse, individuals may develop tolerance to the substance, meaning that they will need to take in large amounts and more frequent doses to achieve the same euphoric high that the initial dosage gave them. Eventually, the physical dependence on these drugs can lead to cravings and relentless urges to continue using the substance despite having negative consequences.
What Are the Signs of Painkiller Addiction?
Addiction is a progressive mental disease, so it is critical to identify the signs early and seek timely treatment. Some of the signs to watch out for include:
Usage Increase
As a result of using painkillers for long, a person’s tolerance to the drugs may progressively increase. This need will create a need to take in large amounts to get the same effect, which creates a risk of overdosing.
Behavioral Changes
If your loved one develops some inexplicable shifts in moods and concentration, they likely have an addiction problem. Also, if your loved one spends less time with friends and family and loses interest in the things once enjoyed due to prioritizing painkillers, it is a red flag to pay attention to.
Time Spent Looking for Drugs
Spending large amounts of time visiting doctors to obtain a prescription for the drugs may be a sign of painkiller addiction.
Change in Daily Habits and Physical Appearance
If you notice changes such as a decline in personal hygiene, change in sleeping patterns, and reduced appetite, your loved one may be developing an addiction. Physical signs, such as glazed eyes and excessive sweating, may also indicate signs of painkiller addiction.
Defensiveness
A person struggling with addiction will try all they can to hide their problem. That is why you will find them getting defensive and angry when you ask them questions about addiction or when they feel at risk of being discovered.
What Are the Steps for Recovering from Painkiller Addiction?
If you are worried about your own or someone else’s painkiller addiction, it is important to seek your doctor’s prompt medical attention. Your doctor may refer you to an addiction treatment center for further treatment.
A good treatment program will consider individual needs. They’ll also consider the severity of the drug abuse and any other co-occurring mental health disorders. Some of the treatments to expect in a substance addiction treatment center in Florida may include:
- Individual therapy program
- Group therapy in Florida
- Family therapy program
- Cognitive-behavioral therapy program
- Dialectical behavior therapy program
- Dual diagnosis therapy treatment for co-occurring disorders
Find Help at Serenity House Detox & Recovery Florida
If you are looking for a painkiller addiction treatment program in Florida, look no further than Serenity House Detox & Recovery Florida. We offer a bespoke detox process that will help you mitigate withdrawal symptoms as you recover. Beyond detox, we will help you find the best program to help you continue with your treatment.
Let us support you on your road to recovery from painkiller addiction. Contact Serenity House Detox & Recovery Florida today at 866.294.5306, or contact us online to schedule a consultation and learn more about our addiction treatment programs.