Back Pain Drug AddictionBack pain drug addiction. Does one lead to another? They can, especially if you are prescribed opioid drugs, such as Vicodin and Percocet to ease your pain.The Necessity and Danger of OpiatesThere are times when opiates are wonderful, life-saving drugs to have. For the elderly who suffer from high blood pressure, pain medications are literally life-saving, keeping blood pressure down while easing terrible pain.But with all opiates there is also the risk of becoming addicted with injuries such as back pain. Drug addiction is a risk that increases when you begin to abuse these drugs. How Abuse BeginsThe problem with opioids is the body begins to build up a tolerance to these drugs, and you eventually need more and more of the medication to get the same effect. At the same time, your sensitivity to pain actually increases, so that after awhile, you feel pain far more intensely.Also, because opioids temporarily ease symptoms such as depression and anxiety, people may be tempted to take the pills to ease these emotions instead of just easing their pain. Mixing these opioids with other drugs is another way they can become addictive. Back Pain Drug AddictionAn addiction to opioids is certainly not inevitable, because there are other ways to treat back pain. Most people who are suffering from back pain don't need such powerful painkillers. Instead, they can use non-addictive, anti-inflammatory drugs such as Motrin or Advil. Even Tylenol will work to ease back pain. In addition to these, try seeing a chiropractor, osteopath or homeopath.Even if you have recently had back surgery and need the more powerful opioids, you generally only need them for a short while, just long enough to begin therapy and start to recover. Once you are done with the pills, flush them down the toilet. Even if you won’t abuse the opioids that your doctor has prescribed for you, your teenage daughter or son could. How Do You Know if You are Addicted?Unfortunately, most people who have a back pain drug addiction don't see it themselves. It is only when the drug has pushed them to extreme lows, such as stealing pills from the elderly, getting arrested for stealing money or blackouts - that they realize there is a problem. At that point, they will need to go into rehab to ease their bodies off the prescription pain medications. |
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