What is Demerol?

There are many different kinds of prescription medications designed to help individuals manage pain. Meperidine, which is better known as Demerol, is a useful pain medication. But, Demerol is a potent medication that can lead to dependency if it is abused, misused, or if someone has physiology susceptible to developing an addiction. As a narcotic opioid useful for treating pain, individuals can follow their doctor’s directions and become addicted if they are not careful. If you are wondering what Demerol is, the drug was created in 1938 and is used to treat moderate to severe pain, and is manufactured in pill and liquid form.

The drug was a popular choice for pain management treatment throughout the 20th century after its release in 1943, especially for labor pain. Demerol remains popular in Europe but is less common in the United States due to the risks associated with its addictiveness. In addition, since Demerol is an opioid, it is highly addictive and prone to misuse and abuse. Beaches Recovery can help individuals and those who care about them better understand how prescription medications can lead to addiction and find the treatment necessary to heal.

What Is Demerol?

So, what is Demerol? Demerol was one of the most common pain killers in the United States throughout the 1940s until the 1970s. Demerol was thought to be safer and more effective than other opiates like methadone, and doctors believed Demerol was also less addictive.

However, Demerol is now rare outside of hospital settings due to its high risk for abuse and discovery that it was just as dangerous and addictive as other prescription opiates. It comes in pill and syrup form and can also be administered via intramuscular and intravenous injections and increases Serotonin levels.

While Demerol is no longer a common medication, it is still useful for:

• Sedation before operation
• Treating Diverticulitis
• Pain management after surgery
• Severe chronic pain
• Trauma-related pain

At Beaches Recovery, we believe in educating people about the risks involved with potent medications.

The Risks of Demerol Addiction

After answering what Demerol is, you may wonder what the possible risks associated with it are. Demerol’s side effects most notably include a high potential for addiction. This drug is an opioid and works by increasing Serotonin levels in the brain. It creates a feeling of euphoria and is very dangerous when mixed with other drugs and substances.

Using this drug also puts you at risk for Serotonin Syndrome. Therefore, taking it in combination with other medications and substances that increase Serotonin levels can lead to serious medical issues.

Demerol decreases heart rate and can depress respiratory functions, making it very dangerous if you overdose. Some other side effects include:

• Dizziness
• Nausea
• Constipation
• Sedation
• Seizures
• Physical dependence

Because this drug is highly addictive, you can experience serious and troublesome withdrawal symptoms if you immediately stop using it. Once you have become physically dependent on the drug, it is important to seek medical treatment for withdrawal, which can cause dehydration, pain, insomnia, and mood swings.

Learn More About Beaches Recovery’s Prescription Drug Rehab Center

If you wonder what Demerol is, it is important to know that it is a highly addictive opioid that is dangerous to mix with other medications. However, if you or a loved one is looking for the best prescription drug rehab Jacksonville, FL offers, Beaches Recovery has the expertise to help you on your journey towards recovery. We offer several addiction treatment programs, each designed to meet the specific needs of clients. Our programs include:

• Residential treatment
• Partial hospitalization program (PHP)
• Intensive outpatient program (IOP)
• Outpatient treatment
• Sober living program

Across all our programs, individuals take advantage of numerous therapeutic options, such as:

• Individual Therapy
• Group Therapy
• Family Therapy
• Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy
• Dialectical Behavior Therapy
• EMDR Therapy
• Trauma & PTSD Therapy
• Experiential Therapy
• Equine Assisted Therapy
• Nutrition Therapy
• Yoga Therapy

Call us at 866.605.0532, or contact us online to learn more about our first-class addiction treatment programs.