Whether you’re taking a prescription medication for chronic pain or for temporary pain that resulted from an injury, it’s possible to become addicted to these medications, which occurs when your brain and body are no longer able to stop taking the medication without suffering from severe withdrawal symptoms. If you’ve recently been prescribed opioid medications, it’s important that you are aware of the slippery slope that leads to addiction.
Understanding Opioids
Opioids are certain types of medications that are designed to treat severe pain or pain that lasts for a lengthy period of time. These medications are commonly prescribed to individuals who have suffered from an injury as well as patients who have just recently undergone surgery of some kind. No matter what’s causing the pain, opioid medications are commonly prescribed in situations where over-the-counter pain relievers don’t suffice. Since opioids will temporarily reduce the amount of pain a person is going through, it’s very easy to become addicted to these medications.
Over time, your body will get used to the drug, which means that you’ll need to take more of the medication to get the same amount of pain relief as you once did. For people who suffer from chronic pain, it’s important to be very cautious when taking these medications.
Avoiding Addiction
When you’ve received a prescription for an opioid medication, there are a variety of steps that you could take to reduce the likelihood of becoming addicted to the medication. These medications are often safer to use for acute injuries where the medication only needs to be taken for three days or less. If you suffer from chronic or long-lasting pain, opioids can be more dangerous territory. Make sure you ask your doctor about non-pharmacological therapies and pain medications that are less addictive.
When you are prescribed with opioid medications, it’s important that you pay strict attention to the dosage requirements on the bottle. Taking a higher dose or taking too much of the medication in a short period of time will heighten your risk of becoming addicted. You should also get rid of any unused opioids in your medicine cabinet to avoid temptation in the future. Becoming addicted to opioids can happen to anyone, which is why you should always be careful when taking opioids.
