Abusing painkillers has become very popular, especially for teenagers. However, painkiller addiction is not just limited to teenagers — people of any age can easily become hooked on painkillers. Prescription drug abuse is now second only to marijuana as the most common type of illegal drug use. According to the website Pain Killer Abuse, about one in five young people has abused painkillers, and nearly 2.5 million people begin abusing painkillers each year.

The most commonly abused painkiller depends on geographic region and drug availability. Most painkillers are taken as pills, but they may also be in the forms of liquids, powders, or suppositories. Some popular painkillers include:

• Opium: A drug made from the seeds of the opium poppy and is used to produce heroin; used for pain relief
• Codeine: Found in Opium and similar to but weaker than morphine; used as a painkiller
• Morphine: A very powerful drug; used as a painkiller and sedative
• Fentanyl: A man-made drug derived from opium and administered as a skin patch or taken orally; used as a painkiller usually for treating cancer patients
• Hydrocodone: Sold as Vicodin, Lortab, or Lorcet, and often combined with acetaminophen; used as a painkiller
• Oxycodone: Sold as OxyContin, Tylox, Percodan, or Percocet; used as a narcotic painkiller

According to The Anti Drug website, symptoms of painkiller addiction include drowsiness, the inability to focus, apathy, lack of energy, reduced pupil size, flushed face and neck, constipation, nausea, vomiting, and depression. If an individual abuses painkillers for a long period of time, the person can become addicted and experience withdrawal symptoms when not on the drug.

If you or people you know are suffering from painkiller addiction, please contact Solace Counseling. We can create a customized treatment plan for each person. Painkiller addiction affects the entire family, and Solace Counseling also offers family counseling. Learn how to help yourself or a loved one by downloading our free eBook on painkiller addiction.