Talking to a loved one about a pain pill addiction, which is often an opioid addiction, can be difficult. Whether seeking help or trying to help someone else, it can be challenging even knowing how to begin the conversation or what needs to be discussed. Although pain pill addiction is an extremely serious matter, there are a number of ways to begin and navigate a conversation about it. In having those discussions, relationships can grow, and change can be made. 

Pain Pill Addiction

Knowing how to discuss a pain pill addiction begins with learning more about what a pain pill addiction is and how it can affect a person.

What are Pain Pills?

In general, pain pills are a type of drug that aids in pain management. However, this category is extremely broad. There are hundreds of pain pills that each come with different ingredients and formulations. Although there are some pain pills available over-the-counter, like ibuprofen, the most potent and potentially addictive pain pills are narcotics, which are only available through a prescription from a medical professional or less than legal means. Most narcotic pain pills contain a natural or synthetic form of opium, making them opioids. 

Although pain pills primarily help with pain management, many narcotic pain pills will induce a narcotic haze. This is the name that describes the state when pain pills make a person feel physically and mentally numb. Oftentimes, a narcotic haze will induce sleep. 

Example of Narcotic Pain Pills 

There are numerous narcotic pain pills available by prescription or illegal means. These include: 

• Fentanyl
• Codeine
• Hydrocodone
• Hydromorphone
• Morphine
• Oxycodone
• Tramadol

What is Pain Pill Addiction?

A pain pill addiction, which is often an opioid addiction, is a disorder that can develop in a person where they have an impaired ability to stop or control their consumption of pain pills. Usually, an individual with a pain pill addiction will experience both mental and physical dependence on pain pills. This means that they are largely unable to function mentally and physically without consuming pain pills, which often makes pain pill consumption their highest priority. 

5 Good Discussion Topics About Pain Pill Addiction

Discussing any kind of addiction can be a challenge, especially a pain pill addiction. However, there are several topics a person can use in order to foster meaningful conversation about pain pill addiction and help encourage a person living with this addiction toward treatment. These topics of conversation include:

Drug Use vs. Drug Abuse

Pain pills are prescribable drugs. A person can receive them from a medical professional and use them to manage their pain. However, this does not mean that it is impossible to misuse and abuse pain pills. Any time a person consumes any drug in excess, not as instructed by their doctor, or after obtaining the drug illegally, it is drug abuse. 

This topic should not be used to confront someone. However, it can be used to educate a person on how not all drug use is proper use. In many cases, drug use is drug abuse, which is almost always unsafe.  

What Pain Pill Addiction Is

Unfortunately, many Americans have a flawed understanding of what addiction is. If a person is going to discuss a pain pill addiction with another person, it is important for everyone involved to have a proper understanding of what addiction is. Addiction is characterized by physical and mental dependence. While dependence can manifest in a number of ways, it usually means that a person physically craves whatever substance they are addicted to, while also using that substance as a means to cope with certain moods, emotions, or thoughts. 

The Side Effects of Pain Pill Addiction 

Pain pills, especially opioids, are dangerous to abuse. Many of these drugs come with a list of severe side effects. Learning more about what pain pill is being abused and the potential side effects can help steer a conversation on pain pill addiction toward the importance of treatment and help encourage a person to seek treatment.

The Benefits of Addiction Treatment

No discussion on addiction is complete without discussing the benefits of addiction treatment. Addictions, like opioid addiction, often wreak havoc on a person’s life, affecting their health, relationships, finances, occupation, hobbies, education, and more. Engaging in addiction treatment can restore these parts of a person’s life, making them a healthier and happier individual.  

Inpatient vs. Outpatient Treatment

While discussing the benefits of addiction treatment can be helpful, many people living with a pain pill addiction may still hesitate when it comes to seeking treatment. In many cases, this stems from a misunderstanding of what treatment looks like. There are two main types of addiction treatment: inpatient and outpatient. 

During inpatient treatment, a person is committed to living in a rehab facility for a certain period of time while they receive around-the-clock care and support. However, during outpatient treatment, a person does not have to remain in rehab 24/7. With outpatient, a person is required to check-in with the rehab for treatment, therapy, and so on. However, they are free to live their everyday life as normal otherwise. They can sleep in their own bed and even continue working. 

Rehab for Opioid Addiction and More

Effective treatment for an opioid addiction or other pain pill addiction can be found at one of the many rehabilitation facilities in the United States. These facilities utilize the expertise of addiction specialists along with mental health and medical professionals. Together, the experts in these facilities offer a variety of addiction treatments, tailoring them to a patient’s individual needs. In doing so, they can help a person with any kind of addiction become sober and stay sober.  

Looking for Local Pain Pill Addiction Treatment? 

If you or your loved one is looking to take conversations about pain pill addiction and opioid addiction a step further and seek treatment, contact us today! At Knoxville Recovery Center, our team of addiction specialists are more than happy to answer any and all questions you may have and create a treatment program that fits your unique needs. We are ready to help you overcome your addiction and live your best life.