How could something so good turn out to be so bad? That’s a question often posed by prescription medication users who become addicts. Yes, doctor prescribed painkillers to help patient’s get relief from pain. When those medications are misused or abused, the results can become tragic.
Pain medications almost always contain some form of opiate. Opiates are the operative ingredient found in heroin. Heroin is one of the most highly addictive illicit drugs on the planet. Along with a bevy of distressing side effects, opioids also produce some rather dangerous withdrawal symptoms. Anyone addicted to painkillers has to be conscious of these withdrawal symptoms should they choose to stop using. Here’s a sampling of said withdrawal symptoms:
- Severer muscle and stomach cramps
- Respiration and pulmonary issues
- Diarrhea and vomiting
- Convulsions and tremors
- Hallucinations
Under no circumstance should someone addicted to painkillers try to stop on their own. It would be prudent for the individual to seek help from a professional, reputable drug rehab facility.
The Detox Process
Prior to getting help for any personal issues that may have led to their addiction, most addicts need time to detox. Detox can be administered in-house at a rehab facility or through a dedicated detox facility. Clinicians will generally prescribe a detox program based on the depth and longevity of the patient’s addiction.
The primary objective of detox is to get patients through the withdrawal process with a minimum of discomfort. This can be a real challenge for patients addicted to painkillers. For the most part, they are placed in a medically monitored detox program. Under the watchful eye of medical professionals, patients are monitored on a constant basis. If a patient starts to show signs of distress, doctors have the ability to prescribe medications that should help the patient move forward.
During the detox process, there are three primary concerns:
- Patients will have difficulty breathing
- Patients will exhibit a substantial loss of appetite
- Patients will have difficulty sleeping
It might take a patient up to a week to clear the most serious withdrawal symptoms, but once the patient gets clear, they should be ready to focus on therapy and counseling.
If you are ready to seek help for your addiction, we are ready to provide that help. You can get started on recovery by calling us at 844-903-2111
