Painkiller addiction is a bigger problem than most Americans know. We’re sharing the top reasons to enroll in a pain killer rehab in Los Angeles, here:
You get a headache, you take an aspirin, right? And if you’re in a lot of pain, your doctor will prescribe something. What they don’t tell you is how easily that can lead to painkiller addiction. In just the same way street drugs, like heroin, can get you hooked, so can prescription painkillers. And it’s a very hard habit to kick. Prescriptions for drugs like Oxycontin, Vicodin, Percocet and others are some of the most powerful and commonly prescribed painkillers on the market today. Prescription painkiller use usually begins innocently and for valid reason: perhaps you’ve had surgery, or been injured, and the pain is just too much to handle. Painkillers are legal and prescribed by doctors, so the common misconception is, they must be safe. However the opiate epidemic currently overtaking the US, has shown that they’re not only unsafe, but extremely dangerous and potentially lethal.
It’s Still An Opioid
The thing is, those painkillers are opioids, just like heroin. Codeine, morphine, fentanyl, oxycodone, and hydrocodone all fall into this opiate category. They work by convincing your nervous system and your brain that there is no pain. And guess what? Your brain, and your body, starts to enjoy that feeling and gets hooked. Anybody can be at risk of this happening, particularly those who have already shown addictive behaviors. Now check out the statistics. There has been an incredible rise in the number of opiate-related overdose deaths. And when you look at the most prescribed meds in the US, hydrocodone aka. Vicodin, is right up there at the top. Because these painkillers are prescribed by doctors: the inherent dangers, high potency and elevated chance of addiction, are often overlooked until it’s too late.
Prescription Painkiller Addiction On the Rise
Fentanyl, too, is a major concern, being around 50 times stronger than heroin – and 100 times stronger than morphine. It should be no surprise, then, that rehab clinics in Los Angeles are now dealing with more prescription painkiller addictions than ever before. If you or a loved one are currently dealing with any kind of addiction, please read these 10 reasons to consider checking into painkiller rehab:
Don’t Go It Alone
We all like to think we can conquer anything, but ridding yourself of an addiction is one of the hardest things you’ll ever do. Trying to do this alone – especially in a familiar environment, like your home – is virtually impossible. By choosing residential rehab you are not only surrounding yourself with supportive professionals, but it also removes you from the daily triggers that prompt your drug use.
Don’t Become Another Statistic
More than 15,000 people died from prescription opioid overdoses in the US in 2015 alone. You might think you’ve got your addiction under control, but chances are, you’re fooling yourself. By enrolling in a painkiller rehab clinic in Los Angeles, you will receive the help and support you need, in an ideal environment, designed to help you kick the habit for good and avoid becoming one of those tragic statistics.
Sharing Your Experiences
You’re not alone. More than 1000 people every day are treated in US emergency rooms for incorrect use of a prescription drug. Spending time in rehab will better educate you on the different types of prescription drugs, and their effects. It will also show you that you’re not the only one fighting addiction. By sharing your experiences and fears with others, you will find it easier to get sober.
Restore Your Self Respect
Believe it or not, most addicts loathe themselves for what they are doing. They feel like failures and are ashamed and embarrassed. In rehab, you learn to lose those labels. Rehab shows you that addiction can affect anyone – especially prescription painkiller addiction. Male or female, young or old, across all demographics. It’s not the addiction that defines you, it’s your choice to beat it.
Restore Health And Vitality
Addiction can creep up on you and, before you know it, you are not only hooked but also suffering horrendous side effects. Even if you feel great while you’re high, you will progressively feel worse every time you come back down. As your body gets more reliant on the drug, you will experience more side effects and debilitating withdrawal symptoms when it needs more. It’s common to get flu-like symptoms, like fever, aches and pains, insomnia, lack of appetite, etc. And the longer you keep this cycle going, the more you are reducing your health, immune system, and even your lifespan.
Treat The Cause
Treating the cause, as well as the effect, is essential. In most cases, addiction starts for a reason. True, some people naturally have addictive personalities but, for many, the drugs, alcohol or other addiction is covering up a bigger problem. When you join a quality rehab, for painkillers or any substance abuse, you will be treated as a ‘whole’. Health professionals look beyond the addiction to your lifestyle, background, medical history, and mental state, to ascertain the root cause. Only by committing yourself to this process can you truly get well again.
Protect Your Baby
If you have a young child or are planning a family, painkiller rehab is essential. Other methods will take longer, and don’t guarantee success. Your loved ones need you to be healthy and well, especially if you have or are expecting a child. If you are pregnant, or hope to be, there’s a shocking fact you need to be aware of: research shows that over the past decade, the number of babies born addicted to opiates has tripled. This figure includes both legal and illegal opiate use.
Learn To Avoid Your Triggers
The primary goal of rehab is to kick your addiction for good. While treating the problem yourself may work in the short-term, it is generally not a long-term solution. There’s a huge risk that you will fall back into your old ways the moment something goes wrong. By spending time in painkiller rehab, you will go far beyond simply curing the addiction. You will learn how to recognize, and control your triggers. You will also be given the tools to deal with inevitable life problems without drug use.
Someone To Talk To
Whether you’re dealing with drug or alcohol rehab, there is another huge benefit to enrolling in a residential rehab program: counseling. Let’s face it, everyone is busy and in you home or work environment people often don’t have the time to truly listen. Painkiller rehab takes a holistic approach to your addiction, with trained counselors on hand to listen and advise. Sometimes, a good listener is all it takes.
I Don’t Have A Problem
Do you fall into this category? You think you’ve got it under control, but you crashed your car, lost it at work, or forgot to pick the kids up from school. These could be early signs of addiction. Have you noticed a change in behavior in a partner or friend? Do they seem withdrawn? These may be signs of addiction. Even at this stage, it is worth considering rehab. That way you can stop the habit before it becomes a life threatening problem.
It’s Time To Get Help and Painkiller Rehab May Be The Answer
If you’ve got a substance abuse problem, and expert help is available to you, why wouldn’t you seek it out? A sad fact of life is that out of nearly 23 million Americans who require treatment for drug or alcohol addiction, less than 1% receive help. Los Angeles is considered one of the best places to get treatment, with an accessible drug and alcohol treatment industry that is constantly evolving and in a positive environment. If you or a loved one need help, now’s the time to get it. Muse Treatment has addiction specialists standing by ready and able to help you now.
