Prescription painkillers like Oxycontin and Vicodin are widely prescribed in the United States for chronic pain of arthritis and cancer as well as for injuries. They are generally opiate-based, and act just like heroin or morphine when introduced into the bloodstream. They physically affect certain receptors in the brain, and when abused, chemically alter the way the brain functions. Addiction to painkillers is widespread, and deliberate abuse is rising yearly as thrillseekers and accidental addicts use these drugs to get high on their natural euphoric effect.

Addiction to painkillers is a terrible side effect of modern medicine and one of the most worrisome trends for drug enforcement agencies, schools, and medical professionals across the U.S. In 2007, they were the drug of choice for 2.1 million people first trying illicit drugs, in this case, painkillers diverted from medical use. Over 1.7 million people were addicted to painkillers in 2007; non-heroin opiates accounted for nearly 10% of all admissions for drug treatment and rehabilitation.

2007 National Study on Drug Use and Health
U.S. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration

Painkiller addiction is marked by an intense need for the drug long past the time when pain is actually an issue. Drugs like Oxycontin, when abused, can induce intense cravings and obsessive efforts to obtain more. This leads to high crime rates for pharmacy theft, illegal prescriptions, and a great deal of “doctor shopping” to find someone who will write another prescription. People who suspect a loved one may be addicted to painkillers should watch for:

• Confusion
• Sleepiness and apathy
• Dizziness
• Weakness
• Nausea
• Slow breathing (opiate painkillers have a depressive effect on heart rate and breathing)
• Pinpoint pupils
• Seizures

 In addition, hard core abusers may possess drug paraphernalia to help in “shooting” or snorting the powder obtained by crushing the prescription tablets.

Treatment for painkiller addiction generally is similar to that for any opiate. Methodologies include both medication and behavioral modification. Naltrexone, buprenorphine, and methadone are the most commonly used medications. Because addiction to painkillers can bring on intense withdrawal symptoms, often within a few hours of the last dose, management of the symptoms is necessary both to prevent unpleasant side effects and to encourage the patient to continue the process of detoxification. These less destructive drugs are prescribed in the short term to mimic the painkiller’s effect while weaning the patient off the questionable substance.

Of the 13,000 drug and alcohol treatment centers in the United States, only a small percentage offer medication treatment programs for opioids and are certified to administer closely-controlled drugs like buprenorphine. People with a painkiller addiction may be referred to a hospital or detox center for the initial withdrawal phase, and then to a treatment program to complete the recovery process. Detoxification must be accompanied by counseling in order to be effective. Painkillers create an intense emotional dependency beyond the physical effects. Treatment for painkiller addiction therefore involves a long-term process of weaning the patient off the drug, and teaching him how to avoid relapse.