Painkiller Addiction - Effects and Reasons of taking Painkillers

Can one get addicted to Pain killers? The answer is ‘yes’. When one becomes dependent on Pain killers and cannot do without it then it can be called a Painkiller Addiction. Believe it or not many people are addicted to painkillers like Aspirin and Dispirin without even knowing of the dangers. Pain killer abuse or addiction needs immediate help before it’s too late. I have already written hubs on the reasons why one should Quit Smoking or Stop Consuming Alcohol . Pain killer also could become such a  habit which may end up having dangerous consequences. But no need to lose hope as you can get out of this habit by following the steps which I would write about in this hub too.

Talking of Dispirin Addiction, I had a friend who popped dispirin into her mouth two at a time at the slightest sign of pain. She would not take water to swallow Dispirin, but would keep the tablets under her tongue and allow it to dissolve. She calls Dispirin her magic medicine for all sort of pains, be it a head ache, stomach ache, tooth ache or joints pain. She told me that no other medicine would work for her even if she tried. One day I noticed her putting 2 pills to her mouth even when she did not have any pain and when I asked her she told me that she would get a headache after some time and that she is having the tablet to prevent it from appearing. She also told me that there were days when she took 8 dispirins on a single day and that she has become too much dependent on this Pain Killer and that she likes the taste of Dispirin. She further told me that she has been taking this painkiller almost every day for over a year. After having a talk with her she admitted that she needs help to come out of the habit. And she conquered the habit too! It takes a strong commitment but believe me it is possible.

Addictions to Painkillers, Alcohol etc happens because one suppresses or shuts down the body’s production of endorphins which are natural opiate pain killers by taking pain killers. And when this happens one starts to crave for the drug that replaced the endorphins with. Your body needs the endorphins. Addictions to Anti-Depression, Anti-Anxiety and Pain Pills can cause serious health issues. It is said that 1000 tablets of a painkiller in a lifetime can lead to kidney failure. Pregnant Woman should avoid taking aspirin as there is an increased risk of miscarriage and can affect the baby's growth and may slightly increase the risk of a placental abruption. Sometimes it can delay labor and increase the risk of heart and related lung problems in the child and bleeding complications for the mother and the child. Children also should not be aspirin or dispirin. I recall reading in a forum that a 4 year child after having dispirin (the major ingredient of dispirin is aspirin too) had a lung collapse and went into coma. Even for adults, Consumption of these pills can lead to incessant bleeding or ulceration and can destroy the immune system. One of the main effects of taking Aspirin is diluting the blood. In the long run ladies who are addicted can have irregular and prolonged Menstruation. Other side effects of pills include Heartburn, nausea, stomach ulcers, ringing sensation in ears, worsening of asthma, skin rashes, blood disorders, stomach upsets, drowsiness, dry mouth, urinary retention, constipation, liver problems, hair loss, hallucinations, irregular heartbeat, impotence, inability to sleep, constipation etc.

Why do people get addicted to Pain Pills, Antidepressant and Sedatives etc?

Too much of anything is poison. This is also the case with medicines. When one becomes addicted to pills it is a case where the cure becomes a disease. It is observed that people get addicted to all sort of medicines be it a pain killer, antidepressant, sedative, antacid or even a cough syrup. In majority of the cases the addiction starts when people start treating themselves. The easy availability of drugs over the counter without prescription or governmental control is another reason for this addiction. Many times ignorance about the side effects makes people consume such medicines for longer periods of time.

How can a Pain Pill addiction be cured?

First of all, the patient has to undergo a complete detoxification to get rid of toxins in the body. Once that is done itself there would be a noticeable improvement in the condition of patient. Read more on the Importance of Detoxification .

The second step is to exercise self control and making some changes in their way of living. This includes going into a healthy diet and exercising. Meditation, running, yoga, walking etc are good practices and can be included in the changes. If one can follow the lifestyle of ancestors it would be good.

The Third step is turning to Nature . Nature has a cure for every illness or health condition. Moreover treatments like homeopathy, ayurveda etc have no side effects.

If you are addicted to the pill it is time that you control your addiction than allowing the pill to control you. Seek help of experts and get rid of this health condition permanently.