Addiction to prescription painkillers is a disease that has become increasingly prevalent in the United States as well as many other industrialized nations. Narcotic pain medications, also known as Opiate, are commonly prescribed by doctors for the treatment of pain. Medications such as Vicodon, OxyContin and Hydrocodone are some of the most commonly prescribed medications that are given for anything from painful dental work to chronic pain like back pain, and post-surgery pain.



Often, patients continue taking this medication as prescribed and become physically dependent on the drug. Physical dependency means that even if they want to stop taking it, it becomes so uncomfortable due to symptoms of withdrawal that they can’t.

It is a complex physical process that causes this withdrawal and addiction to pain medicine, especially if the person has been taking the medicine for a long time. The human brain responds to the presence of pain medicine by increasing the number of receptors for the drug. This causes the nerve cells in the brain to cease normal function. Also, because the body is receiving opiates, it ceases to release it’s own natural painkillers, called endorphins.

The degeneration on nerve cells in the brain causes a physical dependency on this outside opiate source. If a person quits taking the drug, a painful series of physical changes occur. These withdrawal symptoms are not unlike the process that happens with illegal drugs.

To avoid these uncomfortable, unpleasant and often painful withdrawal symptoms, the patient may continue to take the pain medication, even if it is no longer needed for its original prescribed purpose. At this point, the patient is considered to be dependent or addicted to the pain medicine.

Developing an addiction to pain medication is a disease. It is nothing to be ashamed of, and it’s no one’s fault. Taking a painkiller causes a change in that person’s brain chemistry. Addiction is a physical disease, a chemical disease that requires expert medical treatment.

It is estimated that up to 7% of patients who are prescribed a narcotic to treat pain will become addicted. If you have become addicted to a prescription painkiller, you should seek medical help as soon as possible. There are many treatment centers and recovery programs available for people with the same problems. Remember, it’s not your fault, but it is up to you to take the first step and get help before your addiction starts to take control of your life.