Painkillers, which can include prescription opioids, can be incredibly addictive. Used as prescribed by a doctor, they are not likely to lead to addiction, especially when used for a short period of time. However, some people can develop painkiller addiction if they use these drugs for a long period of time or if they use a prescription that’s not right for them. Our goal at Georgia Addiction Treatment Center is to help you stop using. We provide therapy and support to help you maintain sobriety long-term.
How Does Painkiller Addiction Begin?
Many people start using painkillers by following their doctor’s prescription. They use the drug when they have pain. This may be due to an illness or accident. The drug works by reducing the pain signals that the brain receives, effectively turning off the pain. However, several things can happen after this. The stages of addiction include:
- The trying-out stage: Some people never make it past this stage. They use the drug for what it is supposed to do and then stop using it when they no longer have pain.
- Regular use of the drug: In the next stage, a person starts to use the drug on a common basis. This is when a pattern begins to form. They can still stop, but they are used to using it.
- Increasing use and risk-taking: At the next stage, the person starts to realize that continued use of the drug is dangerous. However, they are willing to take on the risk because they haven’t experienced anything negative just yet.
- Dependence forms: Routine use leads to dependence. At this stage, a person cannot stop using painkillers. When they do, they feel intense symptoms of pain, often accompanied by headaches, mood swings, insomnia, and nausea.
- Substance use disorder: The final stage occurs when a person cannot get through daily life without having access to the drug. At this point, they are psychologically dependent and unable to stop using without some type of intervention.
Soon, the addiction becomes the most important part of their life. At this point, treatment becomes critical.
Prescription Drug Addiction
Opiate abuse is not uncommon even when a person just uses his or her prescription. Using too much of the drug is common. Doctor shopping is also likely to happen. That means a person is seeking out the painkillers from multiple prescribers because their specific prescription is not enough.
Prescription drugs can lead to addiction. Even if you think the drug is safe to use, it can cause addiction in many people.
How Treatment Can Help You Overcome Painkiller Addiction
At any stage of the process, it is possible to get help for your addiction. That means working closely with a team of professionals to learn what type of treatment can help you. Our professionals offer a range of care options that may offer the support you need. That includes treatment such as:
- Men’s rehab center
- Women’s rehab center
- Intensive outpatient program
- Partial hospitalization program
- Outpatient treatment program
In these programs, medications can help a person to break some of their dependence and start the process of gaining mental stability. In addition, any underlying mental health condition, such as depression or anxiety, can also be treated effectively. Through psychotherapy, you’ll also learn how to live a healthy lifestyle and how to control negative thought patterns so you can minimize negative outcomes.
Expect Exceptional Care When You Call Georgia Addiction Treatment Center
Painkiller addiction can lead to numerous health complications, mental health disorders, and an unhappy life. If you are ready to change this to start on a healthy future, call Georgia Addiction Treatment Center. Our team of dedicated professionals can answer all of your questions when you call 833.641.0661 or connect with us online.
At Georgia Addiction Treatment Center, we understand that every person struggling with addiction is unique. That means that every person’s path to recovery must be unique as well. With more than 40 million Americans suffering at the hand of addiction, it is more important than ever that we address this crisis head-on. We specialize in helping patients who are battling substance use disorders. More specifically, treat the whole person by diagnosing the issues that lie beneath and feed their addiction. It is an approach that has made us one of the premier addiction treatment centers in the area. By learning more about Georgia Addiction Treatment Center and our unique approach, you can take the first steps on your road to recovery.
