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I’m Addicted to Pain Pills, How Do I Stop?

by Recovery Guide Real Recovery Starts Here
Pain pills, otherwise known as opioids, are highly addictive medications that are prescribed to relieve pain. While opioids are extremely effective in relieving pain, it is easy to become addicted to them. Pain pill addiction has become an epidemic in the United States. The National Institute on Drug Abuse reports that 2 million Americans abuse opioids.

When you abuse drugs like opioids, your brain and body begin to believe they need the substance for survival. As you begin to develop a tolerance for the dosage you’ve been prescribed, you may find that you need more medication to relieve your pain. This often leads to opioid dependency. Once you are dependent on pain pills, it can become difficult to stop. 

If you are addicted to pain pills and are wondering how to stop abusing them, you’ve come to the right place. Let’s take a look at what opioid abuse is, how to get help for addiction, and when family intervention is necessary.

What is Opioid Abuse?

Opioid abuse and addiction are characterized by a powerful urge to use opioids. Opioids are medications prescribed by a doctor to help relieve pain. Addiction is a disease that affects your brain and behavior. At first, you probably had control over your opioid use. However, if you do not follow your doctor’s instructions for taking the medicine, your control can quickly fade away.

The signs and symptoms of opioid abuse can be physical, behavioral, and psychological. A clear sign of opioid addiction is not being able to stop using opioids. Other signs and symptoms of opioid abuse or addiction include:

  • Shallow or slow breathing
  • Physical agitation
  • Poor decision-making skills
  • Neglecting responsibilities
  • Irritability
  • Depression
  • Decreased motivation
  • Anxiety and panic attacks

If you are addicted to opioids, it is important to seek professional help. The only surefire way to beat opioid addiction is making a personal dedication to professional drug addiction treatment.

Signs That You Need Help for Opioid Addiction

If you are still wondering whether you need treatment for opioid addiction, there are a few signs to be aware of. A clear sign of opioid addiction is not being able to quit using opioids despite wanting to. Additionally, if you are addicted to opioids you may struggle with intense cravings and symptoms of withdrawal when you do not have the drug.

According to the Diagnostic Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM), opioid use disorder is diagnosed with the following criteria:

  • You take opioids in larger amounts or over a longer period than intended
  • You have a persistent desire or unsuccessful efforts to cut down or control opioid abuse
  • Experiencing cravings or a strong desire to use opioids
  • Your opioid use results in failures to complete obligations
  • Opioid use puts you in dangerous situations
  • You continue using opioids despite facing serious consequences
  • You have developed a tolerance to opioids
  • Withdrawal symptoms are present when you do not take opioids

If you identified with 2 of the previous statements, you may be suffering from mild opioid addiction. However, if you relate to 6 or more statements, your opioid addiction is severe and you should seek professional medical help.
 
When Family Intervention is Necessary

If you or a loved one are struggling with opioid addiction, professional treatment is necessary. However, sometimes addiction goes hand in hand with denial. If your loved one has a problem with pain pills and is denying that they need help, family intervention might be necessary.

Opioid addiction can be extremely dangerous, especially because opioid overdose is a common risk of opioid abuse. An opioid overdose happens when someone takes more of an opioid than their body can handle. Unfortunately, opioid overdoses occur frequently with individuals who are addicted to pain pills. Due to this, families of opioid addicts should pay close attention to their loved one’s addiction and intervene when necessary.

You may be wondering what you can even do when it comes to your loved one’s opioid addiction. An intervention is a family meeting where family members and friends emotionally appeal to their loved ones in hopes that they will accept professional treatment. If you notice that your loved one is struggling from a moderate to severe opioid addiction, family intervention may be necessary.

Connect With a Recovery Coach

If you struggle with opioid addiction and would like to stop abusing opioids, it’s time to connect with a recovery coach. Recovery coaches provide help to people who struggle with drug addiction. To explain, a recovery coach is similar to a life coach, but they emphasize addiction recovery. A recovery counselor can help you and your family find the professional addiction treatment programs you need to recover while providing you with advice, therapy, and resources. If you would like to stop abusing pain pills, contact a recovery coach for drug abuse today.

Michael Herbert, the Recovery Guide, has more than 30 years of experience working closely with individuals and families dealing with addiction and recovery issues. He is a seasoned Coach and can help you and your family establish long-term goals and access the tools you need for continued abstinence and recovery for the entire family. Get in touch with Michael today at 561-221-7677 to schedule an appointment.

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About Recovery Guide Junior   Real Recovery Starts Here

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Joined APSense since, June 16th, 2021, From Florida, United States.

Created on Nov 30th 2021 00:25. Viewed 335 times.

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