Painkiller Addiction

As per a 2012 survey published by the American Pain Society, around fifty million Americans suffer from chronic or significant chronic pain. Moreover, in 2012, over two hundred and fifty million prescriptions were dispensed for opioid painkillers that could lead to painkiller addiction. That is enough for adults in the US to have a bottle of pills, the CDC (Centers for Disease Control) and Prevention reports.

What Is Painkiller Addiction?

Painkiller opioids interact with opioid receptors in the brain, intercepting the pain sensations. They also slow heart rate, breathing, and blood pressure and induce relaxation. Several painkillers, including Oxycontin, Vicodin, Dilaudid, methadone, and fentanyl, are classified as Schedule II regulated substances by the DEA (Drug Enforcement Administration). Even though they have acknowledged medical use, they also have an increased potential for misuse, diversion, and dependence.

The NIDA (National Institute on Drug Abuse) reports that about fifty-four million Americans have misused the most addictive painkillers at least once. Taking these drugs can lead to psychological and physical dependence as the brain gets used to the chemical modifications occurred by their interference. For example, when a painkiller drug enters the brain, loads an opioid receptor, and depresses the CNS, it also enhances the presence of endorphins and dopamine. 

What Are The Symptoms Of Suboxone Withdrawal? 

Suboxone is a prescription drug used as part of an opioid treatment that comprises counseling and behavioral therapy. Suboxone, which includes naloxone and buprenorphine, can be an adequate medication for opiate dependence. Still, occasionally, it must be taken for extended periods after the person has stopped using addictive opioids. Despite its usefulness, Suboxone for pain treatment can also be addictive, creating identical withdrawal effects to other opioids. The symptoms of withdrawal from Suboxone are:

  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Anxiety, depression, and irritability 
  • Muscle and body aches
  • Fever 
  • Sweating and Headaches

The symptoms can differ in duration and severity, depending on how long people have been using Suboxone and the drug dose. Most physical withdrawal symptoms commonly decrease after a month, though psychological dependence can still stay. Like any other painkiller addiction substance, the withdrawal from Suboxone can last for numerous months. Though the significant physical symptoms will terminate after one month of not taking the drug, psychological signs can go on for multiple months.

Suboxone Treatment And Painkiller Addiction Recovery

Replacement Medications And Detox 

Physically, suboxone withdrawal is generally similar to an especially bad case of the flu, including symptoms like nausea, stomach pain, diarrhea, vomiting, sweating, muscle aches, insomnia, runny nose, and tearing of the eyes. The NLM (National Library of Medicine) says that withdrawal symptoms begin about twelve hours after the last dosage of an opioid drug. Autonomic processes of the CNS that the addictive painkiller has regularly suppressed can become hyperactive during withdrawal. Things like respiration, body temperature, blood pressure, and heart rate can be irregular.

Entry into a medical detox program is ideal for stopping using painkillers. Withdrawal signs that result from quitting a prescription opioid painkiller once dependence has formed can be incredibly uncomfortable; thus, it is not recommended to quit taking these drugs suddenly. However, medications planned for treating painkiller addiction can be helpful for someone who has been using pain pills for a long time. Well, medical detox is the safest way to approach withdrawal in a painkiller addiction recovery program.

Painkiller Addiction Treatment 

Detox and medications are used to quit using pain pills. They can be excellent tools to enable people to process these drugs out of the body and attain a safe physical balance; nonetheless, the emotional elements of drug dependence need to be dealt with. In addition, relapse is prevalent and can be dangerous after detox. Thus therapies and counseling and therapies are essential in helping to deter and minimize relapse. Behavioral therapies enable individuals to understand how to regulate cravings, identify and manage probable triggers for relapse, and form beneficial coping mechanisms for dealing with stress. Counseling and therapy sessions generally include both group and individual formats.

A residential suboxone withdrawal treatment program is frequently recommended in cases of long-term painkiller abuse. These programs can facilitate healing and wellness by attending to emotional and physical needs. For instance, counseling and therapy enhance self-reliance and emotional balance, while physical health improves with balanced and nutritious meals and regular physical activity. Malnutrition is a side effect of chronic drug use; exercise and eating habits can promote recovery. The brain will require time to revive its balance without drugs, and an extensive addiction treatment program can deliver the space and time for this to occur.

Addiction Rehab And Detox Treatment

Painkiller recovery treatment programs give a substantial foundation for deterring relapse and retaining long-term abstinence. It is significant to stay in a treatment program for long enough to permit the brain time to recover and for healthy habits. NIDA suggests that a person remains in a treatment program for at least ninety days. 

Support groups can also help. Twelve-Step programs, like NA (Narcotics Anonymous), deliver people with a healthy social platform of peers who can empathize and relate to each other. The alumni programs are different treatment programs that can also be helpful, as they keep people associated with their suboxone treatment program and others in identical circumstances. Surrounding oneself with others striving toward similar goals and support is helpful in recovery.

It is significant not to get complacent and to keep operating the program. Do not be afraid to connect to family members, trained professionals, mentors, or friends when cravings occur. Talking it out and keeping an open line of contact is essential to resisting temptation.

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