Prescription pain killers are commonly used after surgery or injury to reduce pain. If overused, however, they can pose health risks. Prescription pain killers can be toxic to the body if they are abused or overused. Many users of prescription pain killers can easily become addicted. Addiction to pain killers is just as serious and life-threatening as addiction to any illegal drug. It can also be just as difficult to discontinue use. The effect that pain killer addiction has on the health and well-being of an addicted person can be immediate.
Side Effects
According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, pain killers are a safe and effective form of treatment when used as directed. Because pain killers are extremely potent drugs, however, taking them in large qualities or for an extended period of time can be damaging to the body. Individuals who become addicted to pain killers can experience serious side effects. Addicts of pain killer medications can experience heart and respiratory complications including heart palpitations as well as slower breathing. A body that is addicted to pain killers may lead to other sicknesses including depression. Depression can be due to the psychological effect that addiction has on the brain.
Withdrawal
Pain killers are used to prevent the brain from releasing certain chemicals so that the pain being experienced is blocked. As a result, the brain is in a euphoric state. The body can become dependent on the drug making it difficult to function without it. This dependency is what makes the addiction so dangerous and difficult to break. Serious withdrawal symptoms can occur within a few hours from the last dose. According to "The American Psychiatric Publishing Textbook of Psychiatry," the effect that withdrawal has on the body includes chills, muscle spasms, panic attacks, and vomiting. A sudden cessation of pain killer usage has consequences that can lead to heart damage and seizures. It is strongly recommended that professional help be sought for treatment of painkiller addiction.
Overdose
Those addicted to pain killers risk the chance of overdosing. The main ingredient in pain killers is acetaminophen. Acetaminophen is found in many over-the-counter pain relief drugs. There are extremely large amounts of acetaminophen and additional pain numbing chemicals found in prescription pain killers. Opioids such as morphine and codeine are commonly found in prescription pain killers as well. According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, drug companies that use these agents must evaluate whether the benefits outweigh the risks. Acetaminophen overdose can results in jaundice, convulsions, and severe internal pain. In severe case, overuse can cause irreparable liver damage that can be fatal.
