Painkiller addiction is a growing problem nationwide, and California is no exception. Many people who are prescribed painkillers for legitimate medical reasons can become addicted to them over the long term, leading to a range of physical and psychological issues. If you are struggling with painkiller addiction, reach out to La Fuente Hollywood at 888.903.9898 to learn more about our substance abuse treatment center in California.
What Are Painkillers?
Painkillers are medications that relieve pain caused by various conditions, such as injury, illness, or chronic conditions. They can be bought over the counter or require a prescription, depending on the type of medication. Over-the-counter painkillers include ibuprofen and acetaminophen. Prescription painkillers belong to the class of drugs known as opioids. Some common examples of prescription painkillers are:
- Fentanyl (Abstral)
- Hydrocodone-acetaminophen (Vicodin)
- Morphine (Kadian)
- Oxycodone (OxyContin)
- Oxycodone-acetaminophen (Percocet)
Opioids are much more potent than over-the-counter painkillers and carry a risk of addiction. They induce euphoria in addition to pain relief, so they are much more likely to be abused.
Do You Need a Painkiller Rehab Program in California?
If you use opioid drugs recreationally, you may need a painkiller rehab program. Using prescription painkillers solely to get high will quickly lead to addiction. However, you can still develop an addiction if you take opioids with a valid prescription from your doctor.
Here are some signs that you may need to consider a California painkiller treatment center:
- You have developed a tolerance to the drug – Over time, your body can build up a tolerance to painkillers, just like any other addictive drug. You will know you have become tolerant when you need to take higher doses to achieve the same level of pain relief. If you feel a strong desire to take more medication than advised, you may need help from a painkiller rehab program.
- You experience withdrawal symptoms if you stop taking the drug – If you try to discontinue your prescription or cut back your dosage and notice symptoms like anxiety, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, and insomnia, you are going through withdrawal. This means that your body has become dependent on the drug, and you need professional support to come off it.
- You are neglecting your responsibilities – The purpose of prescription painkillers is to alleviate pain so you can get on with your life. But if your painkiller use is causing you to neglect your responsibilities and you are missing excessive days at work or school, neglecting your family or social life, or neglecting your personal hygiene, it may be a sign that you need painkiller rehab.
Painkiller addiction can also have negative consequences, leading to problems with your finances or relationships. Finding a reputable painkiller rehab can help you course-correct your life.
How Can a Painkiller Rehab Program Help?
Withdrawal from painkillers can produce uncomfortable symptoms like nausea, vomiting, stomach cramping, and anxiety attacks. These symptoms can interfere with your recovery, especially if they become severe. At a painkiller rehab program, addiction treatment specialists help you safely overcome a physical addiction to opioids.
Detox staff work to alleviate the discomfort of withdrawal using a variety of methods, such as:
- Reducing anxiety with medications such as benzodiazepines (Xanax, Ativan)
- Minimizing pain and cravings with medications like buprenorphine, Suboxone, and methadone
- Applying nutrition therapy to address dehydration and nutrient deficiencies
Medication and strategic nutrition are excellent starts to recovering from opioid addiction but do not address the underlying causes of painkiller abuse. While in a painkiller rehab program, you will also attend counseling sessions. Through individual and group therapy, you will explore your triggers for substance use and learn how to deal with them more constructively. Examining and restructuring unhealthy thought patterns will also help you move forward in your recovery.
Choose La Fuente Hollywood for Your California Painkiller Treatment Center
At La Fuente Hollywood, our painkiller rehab programs are designed to help individuals overcome their addiction and regain control of their lives. We combine medication-assisted treatment (MAT) with therapy and support to help you manage the physical and emotional aspects of addiction and develop the skills and strategies needed to maintain long-term sobriety. Call us today at 888.903.9898 or reach out online to enroll in our high-quality painkiller rehab program in California.