How Prescription Pain Relievers Can Lead to Addiction
It’s common for doctors to prescribe opioid painkillers after surgery or for those who are recovering from an injury. You might have been prescribed a medication such as Percocet to relieve pain after wisdom teeth removal or to relieve chronic pain associated with back problems. No matter why you’ve received this prescription, it’s important to understand the risks. All opioids have a potential for abuse, even if they’ve been prescribed legally.
Opioids not only block pain receptors but they cause a release of endorphins, which are feel-good chemicals. This can create a feeling of euphoria and well-being. Your brain associates the substance with this feeling and it soon becomes tempting to return to it. However, over time, your brain becomes numb to the release of endorphins. It takes more and more of the substance to create the same feeling. Increasing your dose can lead to dependence, where your brain and body come to rely on the substance to function.
If you’re struggling with opioid addiction, it’s important to go through detox with medical supervision. Withdrawal symptoms can be severe, but certain medications can help ease these symptoms and can make detox easier. At Next Wind Recovery, our opioid addiction rehab offers the care and supervision you need to begin recovery safely and with a strong foundation.