Painkiller abuse is a particularly tricky problem to spot because painkillers have legitimate uses. Making it even trickier is that painkiller abuse can develop over time. Someone who starts out taking a painkiller for an injury can develop dependence and start to abuse the medication. What begins as a medication prescribed as necessary quickly becomes a destructive and expensive addiction. Spotting the signs of painkiller abuse early, in yourself or others, is key to getting help before it becomes a life-destroying problem.

Signs of Painkiller Abuse

There are many signs of painkiller abuse and not every person will show all of the signs. Each person will react to a substance differently so symptoms are not exactly universal but there are some common ones. For example, someone who engages in Percocet abuse may show behavior signs, such as:

• Visiting many doctors to get prescriptions
• Proving secretive about their activities
• Over-using their prescriptions
• Stealing someone else’s pills
• Withdrawing from family, work, or hobbies

You may also see physical signs of painkiller abuse. A few of the common symptoms include unpredictable sleep, dilated pupils, and heavy sweating.

Other common signs that show up include confusion, making bad decisions, depression, and severe mood swings. Therefore, if you see these signs in yourself or someone you love, it’s likely time to seek professional assistance. You can seek out treatment or stage an intervention. Regardless of how you do it, it’s vitally important to get treatment for painkiller addiction before it ultimately ends badly.

Detox

Most treatment programs for painkiller abuse start out with detox. A good medical detox program can offer medications, such as methadone, that help ease withdrawal symptoms. Detox helps you reach a stable place physically. Once you get stabilized, you can move on to a rehab program.

Rehab

Rehab programs use multiple treatment approaches and classes to help give you the best chance at long term sobriety away from signs of painkiller abuse. For example, some of the more common therapy approaches include:

• CBT
• Group therapy
• Family therapy
• Reality-based therapy model

Most rehab programs also spend time on pure education. You’ll often see classes that teach people about addiction itself. Most rehab programs also offer relapse prevention classes.

Relapse prevention courses focus on providing you with tools and techniques for managing triggers and avoiding high-risk scenarios. They may also provide you information about resources you can use if you find yourself tempted, such as hotlines or local support groups for signs of painkiller abuse.

Crest View Recovery Center

Crest View Recovery Center offers painkiller abuse programs, as well as other addiction therapy services. We focus on reality-based treatment, as it helps better prepare you for long-term sobriety. CVRC is located in Asheville, NC.

Sings of painkiller abuse can consume everything in your life from your job to your family and even your freedom. However, you can take protect those things and overcome your addiction with help from an excellent rehabilitation program. Call Crest View Recovery Center at 866-327-2505 and we’ll help you start your path to recovery.