Simcoe Addiction and Mental Health

Pain Killer Addiction, Painkiller Addiction, Painkiller, Painkiller, Pain Killer Addiction Treatment

Pain Killer Addiction: Going Beyond Pain Relief

When you’re in agonizing pain after a medical procedure your only focus is to manage that pain. Usually, doctors will prescribe a form of a painkiller to help you cope with the stress your body is dealing with. Throughout the healing process, your concern is on healing, not the potential negative consequences of medications.  The tricky thing with painkillers is that they eliminate the pain and bring upon feelings of euphoria as they increase your natural endorphins, making you feel amazing. That sensation of euphoria, more often than not, results in pain killer addiction.

Canadian Statistics show:

Reports from StatCan explore the Canadian population and reported levels of opioid use. An article written in 2019 showed that roughly 3.7 million Canadians said that they used painkillers. These pain medications are marketed as Percocet, OxyContin, and Tylenol but their drug derivates are morphine, codeine and oxycodone. To have a better understanding of opioids and their derivates, we have written a comprehensive article that you can read here. 

Beyond pain relief

Among the 3.7 million Canadians who reported use of the pain killer medication, 15.4% engaged in some form of problematic use of the medications. Some people reported that they used the medication to get high while others simply reported using it for any reason other than pain relief. Of that 15.4%, 2% indicated that they had tampered with an opioid product before taking it and 7% reported they abused the pills (taking them more often than they should or taking many more than they are prescribed).

Taking a closer look: Toronto

Most recently, the data shows a 2 fold increase in the number of fatal suspected opioid overdose calls attended by the Toronto Paramedic Services since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Common Pain Killers

According to the National Institute On Drug Use, these are the most common and addictive painkillers:

Fentanyl- Stronger than morphine, fentanyl is often used to treat patients with severe or post-surgical pain. Although it can be legally prescribed by a doctor, this drug can also be obtained illegally. Unfortunately, it is common for fentanyl to be used in counterfeit drugs and to be cut into illicit drugs such as heroin and cocaine. 

OxyCotin- Its name is the brand name for extended-release oxycodone.  It is taken in tablet format-used to treat patients with moderate to severe pain. 

Morphine- A natural opiate prescribed to treat severe and ongoing pain. 

Percocet- Very similar to Oxycotin, it combines acetaminophen and oxycodone.

Codeine- A natural opiate that is commonly prescribed as a pain reliever. The relief only lasts a few hours, it is found in Tylenol 3 which has to be prescribed. 

Common Treatments of Pain Killer Addiction

Methadone

Classified as an opioid medication, it is used for the first phase of opiate withdrawal and as the longer-term maintenance phase. It eases drug cravings and helps to prevent withdrawal symptoms after the cessation of pain killers. It’s important to remember that this drug is classified as a schedule II medication due to its high potential for abuse. 

Suboxone

Prescribed as a medication used in treating those addicted to opioids, illegal or prescribed.  It contains buprenorphine and naloxone.  Buprenorphine works as an opioid agonist which blocks the opiate receptors and reduces a person’s urges. Naloxone helps reverse the effects of opioids. Together, these ingredients work to prevent withdrawal symptoms associated with pain killer addiction.

Recovery Process at Simcoe

We offer family, group as well as individual counselling sessions. These all help the afflicted person find the root causes of their addiction in a comfortable and safe environment. Our services include emotional and mental as well as physical support for people addicted to pain killers like OxyCotin, morphine, Percocet

Combining substance abuse and mental health treatment allows individuals with both issues to find the help they need. Prescription drug addiction treatment in Ontario also includes trauma therapy.

Dealing with a painkiller addiction can be beyond frustrating. Here at Simcoe Rehab, we have the tools to help out. If you have any questions feel free to contact us, we’d be happy to help.