At Serenity House Detox & Recovery Florida, we provide tailored programs to clients with substance use disorders. Our painkiller detox program focuses on the needs of those with a physical dependency on opiate painkillers. Whether your painkiller addiction resulted from drugs prescribed to you or through other means, we can help you clear your body of toxic substances and prepare for an addiction recovery program. Contact our team today at 866.294.5306 to learn about your treatment options.
Types of Painkillers
There are three primary types of painkillers, with opioids largely responsible for the high rate of painkiller addiction.
Paracetamol
Paracetamol is an analgesic. It’s used to lower temperatures during a cold and can be found in many over the counter medications for flu and cold remedies.
NSAIDs
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or NSAIDs include naproxen, ibuprofen, diclofenac, and aspirin. NSAIDs are primarily available over the counter but are part of some prescription medications. For example, doctors sometimes prescribe aspirin in low doses for specific health conditions.
Opioids
There are weak opioids and opiates, also called strong opioids. Weak opioids such as codeine and dihydrocodeine effectively treat severe pain. Overuse can lead to addiction and adverse effects. Strong opioids include oxycodone, morphine, and tramadol. These drugs are also prescribed, typically in a hospital setting.
What Are the Most Common Painkillers?
Medical professionals sometimes prescribe opioid painkillers for severe, chronic pain. They work by binding brain receptors and blocking pain signals. Ideally, it would be best not to use narcotics longer than four months to avoid accidental painkiller addiction.
Common narcotics include the following:
- Codeine
- Meperidine
- Morphine
- Hydromorphone
- Oxycodone
- Fentanyl
- Hydrocodone
- Tramadol
Painkiller Addiction and Precautions
If your doctor prescribes painkillers, carefully follow the instructions to avoid habit-forming behaviors. For example, your medical practitioner may instruct you only to use the medication when you have severe pain. Allow the medicine to wear off before taking another dose to avoid dependency.
What Are the Side Effects of Painkillers?
Taking painkillers can result in drowsiness, so you should avoid heavy machinery, driving, or drinking alcohol while taking pain medication. Some painkillers cause constipation, so it’s essential to get plenty of exercise and drink lots of fluid while taking them. You can try taking painkillers with food to avoid nausea an upset stomach.
If you stop taking painkillers, you may experience withdrawal symptoms.
Painkiller withdrawal may cause the following symptoms:
- Craving for painkillers
- Mood swings
- Diarrhea
- Drowsiness or insomnia
Report these symptoms to your medical provider right away to avoid dependence and addiction.
Am I Addicted to Opioids or Other Types of Painkillers?
After completing your prescription for opioids, you may experience a range of withdrawal symptoms. If you feel that you have become addicted to painkillers, medical detox can help you safely clear them from your body while minimizing the pain and discomfort of withdrawal symptoms.
If you or a loved one recently finished a prescription of painkillers and have the following symptoms, you may have become addicted:
- Taking more pills than prescribed
- Stealing painkillers
- Finishing the prescription early
- mixing pills with alcohol and other drugs
- Visiting different doctors to get a painkiller prescription
Seek Painkiller Addiction Detox
Taking painkillers for an extended period of time puts you at a greater risk for overdose and other negative consequences. Serenity House Detox & Recovery Florida offers a range of detox treatment programs for specific types of painkillers, including the following:
We understand that painkiller addiction often occurs accidentally. However, you need help to kick the habit and resist cravings. Contact us at 866.294.5306, or contact us online today if you are ready to put aside the pills and return to a life free of drug addiction.
