What are the Symptoms of Painkiller Addiction?

Many Americans depend on prescription painkillers to relieve discomfort from injuries, surgery, and chronic conditions. However, 52 million people in the US admit to non-medical painkiller use. Painkiller addiction isn’t always as apparent as other forms of drug abuse, but there are clear symptoms of painkiller addiction. If a friend or family member starts showing warning signs, seek immediate inpatient medical detox treatment in Florida.

Physical Symptoms of Painkiller Addiction

When someone is high on prescription painkillers, the most obvious sign is miosis or “pinpoint pupils.” Their pupils will remain constricted even in dim lighting. Painkiller addiction symptoms often include developing a blistering red rash, especially on elbows and knees. Opioids may cause their faces to become flushed and warm like a fever.

During the peak effect of painkillers, addicts will look extremely drowsy. Individuals may exhibit droopy eyes, yawn frequently, or even doze off. Dark circles may appear under their eyes to display their tiredness. Some prescription painkiller addiction signs mean suffering blackouts or hallucinations.

People who are physically dependent on painkillers go through withdrawal if a dosage is missed. Withdrawal creates intense flu-like symptoms. Addicts may have moderate to severe nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and muscle pain when experiencing detox. Watch for recurrent sudden trips to the bathroom. Attending a drug detox center in FL provides a safe solution for painkiller withdrawal that lessens the symptoms of painkiller addiction.

Social Symptoms of Painkiller Addiction

Prescription drug abusers typically will exhibit changes to their social behaviors. Becoming high will take precedence, so they may abstain from their normal daily activities. Addicts often isolate themselves away from hobbies and social clubs they once enjoyed. Individuals may abandon their previous friendships to spend time with others engaged in similar drug use.

Taking painkillers will impair the person’s ability to concentrate and stay motivated. Rather than seeking help to detox, most addicts constantly focus on avoiding withdrawal. As a result, they neglect their responsibilities. A significant drop in academic or work performance is a major red flag.

Symptoms of painkiller addiction also mutate the person’s personality. Addicts may become agitated, hostile, and defensive, especially when other people voice their concerns. They might go to great lengths to hide their addiction and end up leading a double life. Quick shifts in energy and mood could signal prescription drug abuse.

Seeking Addiction Treatment

When these symptoms of painkiller addiction appear, the drug detox center in FL can help. Successfully overcoming addiction will require professional guidance through the withdrawal stage of drug detox. Once painkillers are removed from the body, healing begins through addiction treatment programs. Programs and therapies at Beaches Recovery include:

• Men’s and women’s addiction rehab in FL
• Dual diagnosis treatment in Jacksonville
• Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT)
• Dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT)
• Experiential therapy program in FL

You don’t have to fight the battle to recovery alone. Contact Beaches Recovery to overcome the terrible burden of addiction. Call 866.605.0532 to enroll at a drug detox center in FL today.