Addiction to Pain Meds Like Oxycodone

When a person experiences an injury or undergoes surgery, it is a common practice for the doctor to prescribe painkillers to help the patient get through the initial stages of recovery. After a period of time, the physician will reduce and eventually stop prescribing the medication. For most patients, they are able to continue recovery without incident. However, a small percentage of patients will experience addiction to pain meds.

For those who have become addicted to them, they will turn to other sources to obtain more. Often, the first resource people will turn to is other doctors. Emergency rooms across the country are accustomed to seeing addicts come in looking to get more medication. They will generally send the patient away without prescribing more of the substance.

In that case, addicts will turn to the streets to find more OxyContin or other painkillers to satisfy their cravings. These drugs are unregulated and expensive. Because they are available in supply limited only by financial concerns, the addict may begin to consume even more than they had originally.

A similar problem occurs when users go to the Internet to find more drugs. Not only can the person get as much as they can afford, these present the additional problem of not coming from pharmacies that meet medical standards. Often, they are produced in third world countries. They may contain harmful fillers or have other problems.

For those that have become addicted to pain medications, treatment is the best choice. Addiction centers can help a person get clean from these harmful substances.

If you or someone you know has developed a problem with painkillers, it is best to seek help immediately. In treatment, resources are available to help the addict learn how to live without drugs. It is never too late to ask for help.

Medical Marijuana Can Be Habit Forming

 

More and more states are passing legislation that legalizes marijuana for medical purposes within those states. For the majority, the marijuana does actually serve a medical purpose and is quite helpful in treating many debilitating diseases such as epilepsy, chronic pain, and even for the treatment of some forms of cancer. While the drug is a miracle drug for those suffering from a variety of diseases, it is also still a drug and carries with it the risk of abuse and can be habit forming.

While there have been limited studies into whether or not cannabis can cause physical addictions or not -- there has shown little concern over the risk of addiction with marijuana -- the drug does indeed carry a risk for forming of habitual use. This means that individuals using medical marijuana may develop a habit of continuous use, regardless of the perceived medical benefits. Smoking the marijuana itself seems to be the form of use that most often leads to habits.

For those that are using medical marijuana, and fear that they have formed a habit of the continual use of medical marijuana, there are plenty of programs that can help you end the abuse of medical marijuana. Just as those that are legitimately prescribed painkillers can form an addiction, so can those that are prescribed marijuana. In both cases there are treatment programs and drug counseling that can help you to remove your dependency on marijuana. These programs will assess the benefits of marijuana use over the negatives, and will sort out your options for alternative therapies if necessary.

Rehabilitation is Important for Drug Addicts

 

Addiction is something that usually creeps slowly into the life of a person. What may have begun as weekend parties or medication after an accident can turn into full blown addiction before a person even realizes it. This addiction can destroy every aspect of life, including work and family. Because of this, it is important that addicts get treatment as quickly as possible.

If you are ready to get rid of your addiction and reclaim your life, the first thing you need to do is find a rehabilitation center in your area. Finding out about the treatment options available will help you to determine how to proceed. If possible, you may want to ask a loved one to help you through this part of the process. Because drugs interfere with normal thought processes, it may be difficult for you to figure out what you need to do.

Remember that rehabilitation is critical for getting your life back on track. You may have lost your job or even several jobs due to your addiction. Once you have went through rehab, you will find it easier to find a new job. Many employers respect those who have addressed their problem and are willing to give a recovering addict the opportunity to become financially self sufficient again.

It is likely that your relationships with friends and family have also suffered due to your addiction. Once you have been through rehab, you will have the opportunity to rebuild those relationships. Your family loves you and wants what is best for you. Even if they have quit talking to you, it is likely because it has become too painful for them. Going into rehab will show them that you are serious about changing your life.

The staff at a rehabilitation center can help you to repair these aspects of your life. When you first arrive, the trained professionals will assist you in getting through the withdrawal period. This can be physically, mentally and emotionally painful. You may receive some medications to help you through the detoxification period.

Then, the staff and other patients will become a great source of support as you look at the various ways addiction have effected your life. You will also learn new skills to help you deal with the problems in life more efficiently. You will attend group and individual therapy sessions. Many centers also have a time for your family to attend sessions with you. During these, you can discuss the various issues your addiction has caused in these relationships. It is the beginning of healing.

The center will also help you figure out a plan for staying clean once you get out. This will include finding various forms of support. Follow their instructions so that you can continue to rebuild your life.

Do not allow addiction and fear to continue to rule your life. Going to rehabilitation will help you to get the help you need to rebuild every aspect of your life.