Painkillers: Warning Signs of Addiction
Painkillers: Warning Signs of Addiction
Maybe you’re not taking care of yourself like you usually do. You’re less concerned about your personal hygiene or the way you look.
Or you feel moodier than usual. Do you feel angrier? Have your eating habits changed?
Changes in sleep are another sign. People who become addicted to drugs like morphine and codeine are known to sleep their days away, often in a locked, dark room, Jay says.
Have you stepped back from your responsibilities? Maybe you haven't been paying your bills like you used to, neglected household chores, or called in sick to work. If you’re ignoring your children, your responsibilities, or life in general, it’s time to ask for help, Jay says.
If you recognize yourself or someone you love in any of these signs, even if you're not sure it's addiction, your next step is to ask for help and get more information.
It can be easy to misuse painkillers, even when you try not to. “The key is honesty -- honesty with physicians, trusted friends, addiction professionals, but most of all with ourselves,” Schrank says.
Don't be afraid to talk to your doctor. He can refer you to a treatment center or addiction specialist.
Or you can call a local drug treatment center, which has addiction experts who are trained to recognize the signs and give you the help you may need. Look for a center that’s certified by the state you live in.
You can also call 800-662-HELP (4357), the national helpline run by the U.S. government's Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. It provides free, confidential information and referrals about substance abuse and mental health.
Painkillers: 7 Warning Signs of Addiction
7. You’re not quite yourself.
Maybe you’re not taking care of yourself like you usually do. You’re less concerned about your personal hygiene or the way you look.
Or you feel moodier than usual. Do you feel angrier? Have your eating habits changed?
Changes in sleep are another sign. People who become addicted to drugs like morphine and codeine are known to sleep their days away, often in a locked, dark room, Jay says.
Have you stepped back from your responsibilities? Maybe you haven't been paying your bills like you used to, neglected household chores, or called in sick to work. If you’re ignoring your children, your responsibilities, or life in general, it’s time to ask for help, Jay says.
What to Do
If you recognize yourself or someone you love in any of these signs, even if you're not sure it's addiction, your next step is to ask for help and get more information.
It can be easy to misuse painkillers, even when you try not to. “The key is honesty -- honesty with physicians, trusted friends, addiction professionals, but most of all with ourselves,” Schrank says.
Don't be afraid to talk to your doctor. He can refer you to a treatment center or addiction specialist.
Or you can call a local drug treatment center, which has addiction experts who are trained to recognize the signs and give you the help you may need. Look for a center that’s certified by the state you live in.
You can also call 800-662-HELP (4357), the national helpline run by the U.S. government's Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. It provides free, confidential information and referrals about substance abuse and mental health.
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