More than nine million Americans abuse or misuse a prescription painkiller. Not all of these people are addicted to their medication. However, anyone who misuses a painkilling medication faces a seriously increased addiction risk. Fortunately, effective treatments are available for painkiller addiction and serious painkiller abuse. If you’re affected, you will find these kinds of treatments in a high-quality opiate rehab center in Colorado.
What Is Painkiller Abuse?
The term prescription drug abuse can describe the misuse of any addictive medication. In the U.S., three classes of medication are responsible for most cases of abuse or misuse. Opiates, also known as opioids, rank at the top of this shortlist.
How does a pattern of abuse develop? Not every case occurs in the same way. However, this kind of pattern frequently triggers euphoria, a profound form of pleasure. All opiates produce varying degrees of euphoria. When they experience this powerful sensation, some people try to recreate it as often as possible. To do so, they may take part in forms of misuse such as:
- Taking their prescribed medication more often than directed
- Consuming larger doses of their prescribed medication than directed
- Doing things to increase the drug effects of their medication
- Using a medication not prescribed to them by a doctor
All of these actions meet the common, everyday definition of painkiller abuse.
Diagnosable Abuse and Prescription Drug Addiction
There is also a more formal definition for painkiller abuse. This definition applies to people whose misuse has led to serious issues such as:
- Problems at work, home, or school linked to your painkiller use
- Painkiller-related damage to your important relationships
- Recurring use of painkillers in risky or dangerous situations
All of these issues are indicators of serious, diagnosable painkiller abuse. This level of abuse interferes with your ability to lead a daily functional life.
Formally defined painkiller abuse is not the same as painkiller addiction. However, the two problems are closely related. They’re both examples of the same diagnosable illness: opioid use disorder or OUD.
Treatment for Painkiller Abuse and Addiction
If you have OUD, you need the help provided by an opiate rehab center. This is true for people affected by addiction. It’s also true if your OUD is related to painkiller abuse. Why? Addiction and serious, non-addicted abuse are deeply intertwined problems. Frequently, they occur together. And if you have two or more symptoms of either problem, you qualify for an OUD diagnosis.
How do addiction specialists treat OUD? The typical recovery plan includes both medication and psychotherapy. Medication helps you avoid serious withdrawal symptoms when you stop using painkillers. It can also help you avoid relapsing once you’ve reached initial sobriety.
Therapy allows you to get at the root causes of your OUD. It does so, in part, by helping you understand the nature of your problems. Therapy also helps you change harmful habits of thought, emotional response, and behavior. In addition, it provides you with practical methods of staying painkiller-free in everyday life.
Seek Prescription Drug Addiction Treatment From the Experts at Northpoint
At Northpoint, we specialize in the treatment of painkiller-related OUD. We also specialize in the treatment of OUD related to illegal drug use. In addition, we offer comprehensive care for all other forms of prescription drug addiction.
Regardless of the source of your problems, our customized approach supports your recovery. In all cases, we rely on evidence-based treatments for your condition. And we combine those treatments with secure, comfortable surroundings. To learn more about our many services, call us today at 888.450.2153. You can also contact us through our online form.