Pain pills can be extremely beneficial substances that help individuals manage chronic pain or recover from accidents or operations. However, many of these substances are powerful and addictive and can leave an individual in a narcotic haze. The best way to consume pain pills is with extreme caution. Failure to do so may result in pain pill addiction. 

Yet, knowing whether or not you or a loved one has developed a pain pill addiction or is in need of rehab for a pain pill addiction can be difficult. Fortunately, there are at least five signs to look for in determining if a person needs rehab for pain pill addiction.   

Understanding Pain Pill Addiction

Knowing what signs to look for is only the start of determining if a person has an addiction and requires treatment. It is also important to understand what pain pills are, how they work, and what a pain pill addiction is. 

What are Pain Pills?

Pain pills – also known as painkillers and more – are a type of drug that helps a person manage some form of pain. These pills come in a number of forms with varying ingredients. While there are some pain pills available over-the-counter, such as ibuprofen, the most powerful and potentially addictive pain pills are narcotics, which are prescribed by medical professionals. When abused, most narcotics will induce a narcotic haze, which is a state where the pills make a person feel mentally and physically numb – often causing them to sleep. 

Examples of Narcotics

There are several prescribable, narcotic pain pills, including:

• Codeine
• Fentanyl
• Hydrocodone
• Hydromorphone
• Morphine
• Oxycodone
• Tramadol

What is Pain Pill Addiction?

A pain pill addiction is a disorder that develops when a person has an impaired ability to stop or control their consumption of pain pills. Typically, a person with an addiction to substances like pain pills will experience both physical and mental dependence on the substance or substances. Physical dependence occurs when a person is unable to function without pain pills, while mental dependence occurs when a person consumes pain pills in response to certain emotions, mental states, and more. 

5 Signs You Need Rehab for Pain Pill Addiction 

Although there are significant differences between pain pill use and pain pill abuse, it can often be difficult to observe them or even to admit that you or someone you know may have a problem. These are five signs to help determine whether or not you or someone you know may need rehab for a pain pill addiction: 

1. Constantly Thinking About Pain Pills 

Occasionally thinking about pain pills is normal. For example, a person needs to think about their pain pills in order to remember to take them, to take the correct amount, and to refill their prescription if necessary. However, if a person finds themselves constantly thinking about their pain pills, it can be a sign of dependence, which is often an indicator of addiction. A person watching the clock and anticipating their next dose or craving pain pills are also some alarming signs of a need for rehab for pain pill addiction.  

2. Taking More Pain Pills than Prescribed

Any narcotic pain pill prescribed by a medical professional will come with specific instructions on how to consume them. The instructions that accompany these pills are important because most narcotics can be dangerous when consumed in excess. Narcotics pain pills are powerful and addictive. Consuming more of them than prescribed is both a sign of addiction and also the beginning of developing an addiction. More importantly, consuming more pain pills than prescribed can lead to several health risks, including a high risk of overdose, which can result in death.  

3. Switching and Searching for New Doctors 

Another seemingly ordinary but potential sign of needing rehab for a pain pill addiction is switching or searching for new doctors. This can be a normal practice – if a person’s health and wellness is their reason for doing so. However, if a person is switching or searching for new doctors in order to obtain or maintain a supply of pain pills, this is another alarming sign of a pain pill addiction. Doctors will limit the number of pain pills a person can receive for a reason: to keep them healthy and avoid addiction. Finding a way around this limit can be dangerous and is more than likely the result of an addiction.  

4. Obtaining Pain Pills Outside a Pharmacy 

Much like the previous sign, if a person is obtaining pain pills outside a pharmacy and without a prescription from a doctor, it is another strong sign of pain pill addiction. As stated, narcotic pain pills are powerful, addictive, and dangerous substances. The restrictions placed on them are for the safety of their users. Ignoring these restrictions and consuming them anyway is drug abuse, which often leads to drug addiction. Ignoring these restrictions and obtaining pain pills in other ways is drug abuse and a strong sign of pain pill addiction.    

5. Using Pain Pills for Prolonged Periods of Time 

Narcotic pain pills can be helpful for individuals dealing with extreme or chronic pain. However, they are not a solution to pain and cannot be used for prolonged periods of time. Narcotic pain pills are addictive and using them over extended periods of time will more than likely lead to a pain pill addiction. If a person has been taking pain pills for a long time, they have almost certainly developed a pain pill addiction. 

How Rehab Can Help Put an End to Narcotic Haze

Treatment for pain pill addiction can be found at a rehabilitation facility – also known as rehab. These facilities employ addiction specialists who utilize a variety of treatments and therapies to help individuals become sober and remain sober. After detox, a patient will engage in these treatments and therapies in order to learn more about how their addiction formed and how they can effectively cope with it moving forward.  

In Need of Local Treatment for Pain Pill Addiction? 

If you or a loved one is living with a pain pill addiction and in a seemingly constant state of narcotic haze, help is available! At Knoxville Recovery Center, our team of addiction experts offer several therapies to help a person overcome their pain pill addiction. Contact us today to learn more!