Prescription painkiller addiction is a serious condition, affecting over two million individuals each year. Addiction can be a slippery slope that often begins with a real need for painkillers and a prescription for the medications given. It is essential to recognize the signs of painkiller abuse so that you can help your loved one seek painkiller addiction treatment.
At Blueprint Recovery Center, we provide effective opiate addiction treatment to help patients regain their health and stability. For more information about our painkiller addiction treatment options, reach out to our team online by filling out our contact form or calling 833.654.1004.
Behavioral Signs of Painkiller Abuse
There are several key behavioral signs that you may observe when someone suffers from an addiction to painkillers. These signs can include:
- Visiting multiple doctors – One sign of prescription painkiller abuse is seeking prescriptions from various medical professionals, also known as “doctor shopping.” Painkillers are controlled substances, which means that patients often have to find new providers to get more medication within a short window of time. If you notice your loved one visiting multiple doctors for the same condition, it may be a sign that they are suffering from opiate addiction.
- Mood swings – People who are abusing painkillers may have drastic mood swings. Opiate addiction targets the brain’s reward center, producing pleasurable chemicals when medications are taken. Without continuous doses of painkillers, patients can face sudden, negative moods. Once they obtain painkillers, they may rapidly switch to a more calm demeanor. Although mood swings are not enough to indicate prescription painkiller abuse on their own, it could be time to talk to your loved one about seeking help when they are present in conjunction with other signs.
- Frequent lying – Another sign of prescription painkiller abuse is a story that constantly changes. You may notice that a loved one starts to lie about minor things, like where they go during the day or timelines of events.
Physical Symptoms of Opiate Addiction
Prescription painkiller abuse can take a toll on a person’s body. Once the body becomes dependent on the drug, an individual can start to experience harsh withdrawal symptoms when they cannot obtain it.
Some of the physical symptoms of painkiller abuse can include:
- Itchy skin
- Slurred speech
- Constipation
- Nausea or vomiting
- Small or pinpoint pupils
- Seizures
- Coma
The physical symptoms of painkiller abuse can quickly become fatal if a patient does not receive treatment in time. This is why it is so vital to support your loved one through opiate addiction treatment. Seeking help could save their life.
Psychological Symptoms of Opiate Addiction
You may notice your loved one showing signs of depression as they fall deeper into painkiller addiction. Opiates cause mood changes that are closely linked to depression, anxiety, and agitation. In some extreme cases, patients who are addicted to painkillers experience psychosis.
Patients who have taken high volumes of opiates and other prescription pain killers may become out of touch with reality. They may start to suffer from delusions, hallucinations, and irrational behaviors in some cases. These symptoms can intensify during withdrawal.
Seek Opiate Addiction Treatment at Blueprint Recovery Center
At Blueprint Recovery Center, we are dedicated to helping our patients feel supported and cared for as they navigate their journey to recovery. It is possible to overcome prescription painkiller abuse with the proper treatment. Our empathetic, compassionate staff is always on hand to guide you or a loved one through the different phases of opiate addiction recovery. If you are concerned that you or a loved one has become addicted to prescription painkillers, help is available. You can contact us at Blueprint Recovery Center at 833.654.1004 or visit our website to learn more today.
