Pain Killers

Painkillers are the most commonly used drugs next to marijuana, and almost half of the teens abusing prescription drugs are taking painkillers.

Understanding why painkillers become so addictive:

Long-term use of painkillers can lead to physical dependence. The body adapts to the presence of the substance and if one stops taking the drug abruptly, withdrawal symptoms occur. Or the body could build up a tolerance to the drug, meaning that higher doses have to be taken to achieve the same effects.

Like all drugs, painkillers simply mask the pain for which they are taken. They don’t “cure” anything.

Symptoms of withdrawal include:

Restlessness, muscle and bone pain, insomnia, diarrhea, vomiting, cold flashes with goose bumps (known as “cold turkey”), and involuntary leg movements.

Serious risk factor of opioids is respiratory depression, high doses can cause breathing to slow down to the point it stops and the user dies.