People who get addicted to painkillers need to take more and more of the drug to get the same high. They might try to visit different pharmacies (prescription drug sellers) so no one realizes that just one person is buying all these pain pills. (Photo information)
Signs of Painkiller Abuse and Addiction
Painkiller abuse can make you throw up.
Painkiller abuse makes the pupils (the black circle in the center of each eye) get very small.
Painkiller abuse can cause constipation (trouble having a bowel movement).
When people smoke, snort, or inject painkillers, they get a stronger reaction than they would if they swallowed the pills. The high might be stronger, but it's even more dangerous and can cause problems breathing.
People who get addicted to painkillers need to take more and more of the drug to get the same high.
People who are addicted to painkillers might secretly visit many different doctors to get as many painkiller prescriptions as they can. Then they might visit different pharmacies (prescription drug sellers) so no one realizes that just one person is buying all these pain pills. This is called "doctor shopping" and it is not safe.
People who are trying to stop abusing painkillers might:
- Have pain in muscles and bones
- Get chills
- Throw up
- Have diarrhea ("the runs")
- Feel nervous, angry, or very sad
- Be unable to sleep
They will feel a very strong need to take the drug.
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