5 Signs of Prescription Pill Addiction
The National Institute on Drug Addiction (NIDA) has named addiction to prescription pain killers as the most pervasive substance of addiction behind alcohol in the United States. Though it is possible to take pain medications as prescribed without developing an addiction, it is increasingly more common that those who manage chronic pain with opiate painkillers like Codeine, Morphine, Methadone, OxyContin and more will soon build up a tolerance and become addicts.
If you’re unsure whether or not the title of prescription pain pill addict can rightfully be assigned to you or someone you know, ask yourself these questions:
* Have you been managing chronic pain for a long period of time with a prescription opiate?
* Have you noticed that your moods and energy have taken a down turn, that you’re not so interested in hanging out with people the way you used to?
* Do you spend a lot of time thinking about the prescription, like checking the clock to see if it’s time to take your next dose or figuring out how to get more pills?
* Has your dose been increasing steadily over time?
* Do you tend to black out and forget whole chunks of time, forget to follow-through on your commitments or get defensive when someone close to you suggests that your meds are changing you?
If you answered ‘yes,’ to any of the questions above—or if you think that someone you love could easily answer ‘yes’—then you are addicted to your pain killer prescription.
Addiction is not a life sentence, however. With the latest developments in medicine and government legislation concerning opiates, it’s easy enough to treat your addiction in the privacy of your own home. With a prescription to Subutex or Suboxone and a dedicated treatment plan, you can not only kick your addiction to painkillers but avoid the withdrawal symptoms associated with opiate detox at the same time. It really couldn’t be easier. Why waste anymore time?
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December 24th, 2007 at 8:55 pm
I am on suboxone and my experience wazs quite different that what was written about the medication. I wazs on 3-8mg pre day at first and 4 pre day after (max dose0 and was still bedridden for 3 days during withdrawal. I could not get up and eat, etc until the 4th day. I also haven’t seen the decrase in cravings reported by the literature. I still have compulsions frequently during the day.
Waht is your experience/
January 9th, 2008 at 2:35 pm
Depending upon body weight, your previous addiction and dose, your experience will vary. In general, your buprenorphine dose should be high enough that you do not feel physical symptoms of withdrawal from other opiates. Mental clarity is one of the immediate benefits. Did you notice that at all?
One thing that Suboxone does not treat, however, is psychological addiction and if you’re stressed out about using or have been living an addicted lifestyle for a long time to the extent that your days are often spent “staying well” then you need to address this other side of addiction. NA meetings are one way to go and may provide the support you need. Let me know how you feel!