People often associate addiction with alcohol, smoking, and narcotics. Surprisingly, you may get addicted to the most unexpected substances, and painkillers are one of these. While you take over-the-counter or prescription painkillers for relief from chronic pain, they may do more harm than good. Most painkillers have side effects that come with prolonged use, but addiction is another concern you shouldn’t overlook. After all, it is harmful in any form, even if you cannot seem to live without a seemingly harmless pill. Thankfully, you can steer clear of the damage by taking the right measures on time. Here are some expert-recommended tips to curb the risk of painkiller addiction.
Use common sense
When you use over-the-counter medicines for dealing with pain, your common sense is your best guide. Go through the instructions carefully and read dosage advice. You can even seek the pharmacist’s recommendation on the apt medicine, dosage, and frequency. If the medication does not seem to work, seeing a doctor is the better option. It is easy to abuse OTC drugs just to save time on medical appointments, but you shouldn’t do it.
Follow doctor’s orders
Self-medication has dire consequences, and addiction is one of them. The advice to avoid addiction to prescription painkillers is to follow the orders of your doctor. When a specialist recommends a medication for a specific condition, they also suggest the dosage. You must stick to the recommendation, even if it doesn’t seem to work. In that case, you can consult the doctor for a change in the drug or dosage.
Look for alternatives
While painkillers give you more control, they may not be the best option if you suffer from a chronic health issue. Similarly, a history of drug and alcohol abuse makes you a high-risk candidate. Look for natural alternatives such as CBD to alleviate pain without the risks of addiction and side effects. You can use novel products like a CBD Transdermal Patch if you do not want to use it orally. Apply it on the affected area to experience lasting relief. You need not worry about addiction because CBD is non-psychoactive.
Beware of early warning signs of addiction
It is easy to overlook the early warning signs of painkiller addiction because they are often subtle. Awareness of these warning signs can save you from getting deeper into trouble as you can act on time. Running out of a prescription before time means you are going beyond the recommended doses. You are in a fix if you use multiple doctors to get prescriptions or lie to them about a need for painkillers. Keeping track of usage of OTC medicines is also important. Act early and get help if you notice anything amiss with your habits.
Painkiller addiction is hard to handle because most people fail to take it seriously. It is a real problem, and you must make sure you don’t fall prey to it, no matter how harmless these medications seem. They can easily make you lose control over your life if you aren’t conscious enough.
