Pain Pill Addiction

Certain medications that are commonly prescribed to treat pain can also cause addiction.  Pain pill addiction is quite different from the physical dependence that develops and includes both a strong sense of urgency to use the drug paired with a psychological “need” for the drug.  Pain pill addiction is a psychological and behavioral response that develops in certain people who use narcotic pain medications either as prescribed or for recreational purposes.

The idea that pain pill addiction only plagues those who abuse the drug couldn’t be more wrong.  In fact, as many as 80% of all individuals who are prescribed pain pills will find themselves suffering from some level of addiction to the drug.  The inconsistent thoughts that pain pills are only addictive when they are taken for recreational purposes should be addressed very thoroughly by doctors prior to giving their patients these dangerous and highly addictive drugs—but the sad truth is, most doctors never speak with their patients about the dangers of addiction.

Who is at Risk of Pain Pill Addiction?

Pain pill addiction does not play favorites to any single type of individual.  The rich and poor alike are at risk of becoming addicted, the young and old alike are at risk of becoming addicted, and those of every race, religion and economic status are all equally at risk of becoming addicted.  It is estimated that as many as 80% of all pain pill addictions are the direct result of an individual taking a medication that they were once legitimately prescribed to take.

There are some factors that can increase the risk of becoming addicted.  They include:

• Previous addiction issues
• Current addiction to other drugs
• Being depressed or suffering from mental health problems
• Suffering abuse or trauma

Preventing Pain Pill Addiction

There are some ways to prevent yourself or a loved one from becoming addicted to pain pills even if they are prescribed to you for legitimate reasons.  First, talk with your physician about the pills that you are prescribed and find out what the potential for addiction is with the medication.  Then consider the above factors and whether they have any significance in your life.  Are you already addicted to another drug or to alcohol?  Have you suffered from addiction in your past or did a close family member suffer from addiction?  Have you been abused or suffered a recent trauma such as injury or death of a loved one?  All of these factors should come into play when you decide how likely you may be to fall victim to addiction.

If you do take a pain pill, consider the fact that you will likely develop a tolerance to the medication and that you will have to be prepared to appropriately deal with this tolerance build up without developing an addiction.  Speak with your doctor about ways that you can deal with tolerance without increasing your chances of pain pill addiction occurring.