Prescription Painkiller Information
Opioids are narcotic
painkillers and are commonly prescribed for pain relief. These drugs have
become so prevalent that more than 4 million Americans are current non-medical
users of these prescription drugs. There were significant increases in the
lifetime prevalence of use from 2003 to 2004 in several categories of pain
relievers among those aged 18 to 25.
Among the compounds that fall
within this class are morphine, codeine, and related medications. Morphine is
often used before or after surgery to alleviate severe pain. Codeine is used
for milder pain. Other examples of opioids that can be prescribed to alleviate
pain include oxycodone (OxyContin—an oral, controlled release form of the
drug); propoxyphene (Darvon); hydrocodone (Vicodin); hydromorphone (Dilaudid);
and meperidine (Demerol), which is used less often because of side effects.
Even doctor-approved long-term use can lead to physical
dependence—the body adapts to the presence of the substance and withdrawal
symptoms occur if use is reduced abruptly. This can also include tolerance,
which means that higher doses of a medication must be taken to obtain the same
initial effects. Note that physical dependence is not necessarily the same as
addiction—physical dependence can occur even with appropriate long-term
use of opioid and other medications. Addiction, as noted earlier, is defined as
compulsive, often uncontrollable drug use in spite of negative
consequences.
The effects of prescription painkillers can be similar to
heroin, as they are all in the same opiod class of drug. Withdrawal symptoms
from opiates include restlessness, muscle and bone pain, insomnia, diarrhea,
vomiting, cold flashes with goose bumps ("cold turkey"), and involuntary leg
movements. Long-term use of opioids can lead to physical dependence and
addiction. Taking a large single dose of an opioid could cause severe
respiratory depression that can lead to death.
© 2009 Drug-Free Alliance