Painkiller Addiction

What is prescription painkiller addiction?

Common Addictive Painkillers: Codeine, Darvocet, Demerol, Dilaudid, Hydrocodone, Lortab, Morphine, Opiates, OxyContin, Percocet, Percodan, Ultram and Vicodin

Addiction to prescription drugs is a serious health concern. Non-medical use of prescription drugs like opioids, central nervous system (CNS) depressants, and stimulants can lead to abuse and addiction, characterized by compulsive drug seeking and use.

Addiction occurs most frequently among people who use pain relievers, CNS depressants, or stimulants as prescribed. Patients, healthcare professionals, and pharmacists all have a responsibility to prevent misuse and addiction. For example, if a doctor prescribes a pain medication, CNS depressant, or stimulant, the patient should follow the directions for use carefully, and also learn what effects the drug could have and potential interactions with other drugs by reading all information provided by the pharmacist. Physicians and other health care providers should screen for any type of substance abuse during routine history-taking with questions about what prescriptions and over-the-counter medicines the patient is taking and why.