Almost everyone will experience some type of pain at some point in their life. Whether it is physical or emotional, the need for relief can be overwhelming. When you are experiencing chronic pain, it may seem like the only option that provides any relief is a prescription medication. The problem with this thought process is that many people take these medications for too long and develop a dependency on them for everyday functioning. If you think you might be developing an addiction to prescription pain pills, there are warning signs to look out for to make sure you get help before things get worse!
You Might Be In Denial
If you are addicted to painkillers, it is likely that you will be in denial about the problem. You may not want to admit that there is even a problem in the first place. People that are suffering from an addiction will often try to convince themselves that they can stop whenever they want. However, this is just a symptom of the problem and it should be clear if you recognize some of these other warning signs for what they really mean.
You Possibly Have A Gateway Event
Most people that suffer from a pain pill addiction will have experienced what is called a gateway event. This can be anything from an injury to surgery, but it usually involves some type of procedure where you have prescribed medications for the first time. Opiates such as oxycodone and hydrocodone are often prescribed to manage pain after surgery. When you take these medications for the first time, your body can develop a dependency on them very quickly.
Tolerance Signs Are Increasing
When you take painkillers frequently, your body will build a tolerance for them quickly. This means that the amount of medication you take each time has to be increased in order to feel any effects at all. You may start out with just one or two pills every day before work and find yourself up to four or five after only a few months. If this is happening, it should be clear that there is an issue here that needs attention immediately!