Do I Have a Pain Pill Dependency

Many people who end up with a pain pill addiction had never even experimented with drugs or alcohol in the past. The addiction to pain pills grew slowly as a response to pain from a car accident, sports injury or medical condition that progressed. Often we hear about an actor, celebrity or athlete that is in rehab due to a benzo addiction or addiction to pain relievers. When this hits your own family member or yourself, you see how this can occur. You may have been just following the directions on the medication bottle and not been an abuser.

Though some people do use pain killers as a recreational drug or to deal with an emotional headache, other people began taking prescription pain killers because of a physical condition such as a football injury or fall at work. One’s pride and lifestyle may have had to even radically change due to losing one’s athletic career or getting on disability at work from an injury.

One reason why people may not be conscious that they have an addiction problem is because there was no prior history of similar behavior. As a counselor, I see patients who report that they never did anything excessively and were always the model of a life of caution. They are disturbed and surprised to see that they have a pain killer problem. For some, this realization makes them feel very vulnerable and can create a sense of being a failure.

If you believe that yourself or someone you love may have become dependent on medication used to control pain, it is important to see a physician to have this evaluated.  Please don’t postpone this as the process of weaning yourself off the pain meds can only get harder. You will learn healthier ways to deal with pain using alternative aids such as physical therapy, aquatherapy, yoga and medication. Your doctor can help you withdraw and suggest an outpatient or rehab center to accomplish this without going through it yourself. You also will learn about medications that you can use to deal with pain that are less addictive.

You have the power to change your life or help someone you love. Read more about Benzo Addiction and Prescription Pill Addiction

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