If you’re exploring different pain management options, bear in mind that the most potent painkillers aren’t necessarily the safest. While they may ease your pain within minutes, they might also put you at risk of pain medication addiction. This is precisely why you should think twice before taking opioids; every year, thousands of Americans lose the battle against them.

Therefore, learning as much about painkillers and prescription drug addiction as possible before starting your treatment is of vital importance.

This article will cover the key things you should know about prescription pain relievers and opioid use disorder (OUD) to avoid falling victim to it.

What Are Prescription Pain Medications?

Prescription pain medications are an umbrella term for drugs with pain-relieving properties that can only be obtained by prescription. Also known as analgesics, these drugs can be local (e.g., topical medications) or systemic (for instance, opioids).

Many medications fall under this umbrella, and they are classified into different types—opioids, NSAIDs, etc.—based on how they work. Some pain medications, such as Vicoprofen® (hydrocodone/ibuprofen), contain two different painkillers as active ingredients for enhanced potency.

Depending on their type, pain relievers can alleviate various types of pain, such as headaches, post-surgery or injury pain, and chronic pain associated with diseases like cancer.

Painkillers Effects

Pain relief is the primary effect of painkillers. Local analgesics reduce pain along with all other sensations in the specific area they’re applied to, whereas systemic painkillers like opioids relieve pain throughout the entire body.

Importantly, prescription pain medications differ from anesthesia in that they don’t result in a loss of consciousness. However, some painkillers can cause sedation, which could also prevent you from driving or operating heavy machinery.

Besides pain relief, opioid medications also cause euphoria, increasing the risk of opioid abuse.

Side Effects of Using Painkillers

Painkillers can cause various side effects, such as:

• Constipation
• Stomach ulcers
• Gastrointestinal bleeding
• Liver, kidney, and other organ damage
• Drowsiness
• Lightheadedness
• Sedation
• Respiratory depression
• Nausea and vomiting
• Itching
• Difficulty urinating
• Seizures
• Dry mouth
• Weight changes
• Fatigue
• Changes in heart rate and blood pressure

Some of these side effects are more common among certain painkillers than others. 

Acetaminophen, for example, is associated with a risk of liver damage, whereas those who take NSAIDs may be more susceptible to gastrointestinal ulcers and bleeding. Meanwhile, opioids carry an exceptionally high risk of respiratory depression.

If your doctor prescribes you pain relievers, follow their instructions very carefully to minimize the risk of serious side effects and a painkiller overdose.

8 Most Common Types of Prescription Pain Medication

Now that we’ve covered the basics, let’s explore opioids, NSAIDs, and other common types of prescription pain medication in greater detail:

#1. Opioids

Opioids are medications that interact with opioid receptors in the central nervous system (CNS) to relieve moderate-to-severe pain. Due to their potency and high potential for abuse, dependence, and addiction, they are typically only prescribed for pain that cannot be treated with non-opioid pain relievers.

Some of the most common prescription opioids include:

• Hydrocodone
• Codeine
• Oxycodone
• Morphine
• Tramadol

Opioids come in many different forms, including but not limited to tablets, capsules, suppositories, and injectable solutions. Once consumed, they bind to opioid receptors, preventing pain signals from reaching the brain and altering the perception of pain.

#2. NSAIDs

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) alleviate pain, ease inflammation, and reduce fever. They are often used for menstrual pain, toothaches, and musculoskeletal disorders like arthritis, among other conditions.

Depending on their potency, they can be obtained with or without a prescription (e.g., aspirin is a popular over-the-counter NSAID). Diclofenac, ketorolac, and fenoprofen are common prescription NSAIDs.

NSDAIs hinder the activity of cyclooxygenase (COX) enzymes, decreasing the production of prostaglandins, hormone-like chemicals associated with pain and inflammation.

#3. Acetaminophen

Acetaminophen is a drug used to treat mild-to-moderate pain and fever. While it can be bought over the counter, certain acetaminophen combination products can only be obtained by prescription. It is often combined with opioids like hydrocodone (Vicodin®), oxycodone (Percocet®), and codeine (Tylenol® with Codeine) to enhance their effects.

Like NSAIDs, acetaminophen works by preventing COX enzymes from producing prostaglandins. However, while NSDAIs work throughout the body, acetaminophen only works in the CNS, thus not reducing inflammation.

#4. Antidepressants

Antidepressants are typically used for mental health conditions, but some of them are also used to treat pain. Duloxetine (Cymbalta®), for example, is FDA-approved for pain management and used for chronic pain, such as that associated with fibromyalgia.

Though the exact way in which antidepressants relieve pain isn’t known, it is believed to be associated with their effects on serotonin and norepinephrine.

#5. Anticonvulsants

Though anticonvulsants are traditionally prescribed for seizures, some of them are increasingly used for neuropathic pain. These include gabapentin, carbamazepine, and pregabalin, all three of which are FDA-approved to treat pain. They work by disrupting the transmission of pain signals originating from nerve damage.

#6. Muscle relaxants

Muscle relaxants like carisoprodol, cyclobenzaprine, and tizanidine are used to treat muscle-related symptoms such as spasms, stiffness, and pain. They ease pain by stopping nerves from sending pain signals to the brain.

#7. Topical analgesics

Topical analgesics are applied to the skin to alleviate muscle, nerve, and acute and chronic joint pain. They are available in sprays, gels, lotions, rubs, and creams, and they provide local pain relief.

#8. Corticosteroids

Corticosteroids—cortisone, prednisone, and hydrocortisone—are anti-inflammatory medications. They soothe swelling, stiffness, and pain by acting on the immune system and reducing inflammation.

What Type of Pain Medication is Addictive?

Opioids are the most addictive type of pain medication, though other painkillers, including muscle relaxants, can also lead to dependence, especially when abused.

Repeated opioid exposure alters brain chemistry, creating additional opioid receptors, which leads to tolerance. In other words, if you take opioids for a prolonged period of time, you’ll eventually stop feeling their effects without increasing the dosage, which is a sign of opioid dependence.

Once this happens, your body starts to rely on opioids to function normally. Their absence leads to uncomfortable opioid withdrawal symptoms like vomiting and muscle aches. This is when many opioid users begin to take opioids just to feel better, even though they may no longer suffer from pain.

The bottom line is that everyone, without exception, can develop a dependence on opioids if they take them long enough, as these medications induce neurochemical changes.

Untreated opioid dependence can develop into an addiction, which also manifests in psychological symptoms. People addicted to opioids struggle to control their opioid use, even though it harms them.

Opioid Dependence and Addiction Symptoms

Opioid dependence differs from opioid addiction in that it is characterized by two physical symptoms: tolerance and withdrawal symptoms upon discontinuation or dosage reduction. 

Meanwhile, opioid pain medication addiction is marked by the inability to control opioid use despite its harmful effects. However, it can also manifest in various other behavioral, physical, and psychological symptoms, like:

• Confusion
• Slurred speech
• Suicidal ideation
• Breathing problems
• Low impulse control
• Deterioration of mental health
• Isolation from family and friends
• Unsuccessful efforts to control opioid use
• Attempts at hiding or lying about opioid use
• Preoccupation with obtaining or using opioids
• Failure to fulfill professional or family obligations
• Gastrointestinal problems (nausea, constipation, etc.)
• Doctor shopping, forging prescriptions, and other illegal ways of obtaining opioids
• Opioid abuse (i.e., taking opioids not as intended, such as for recreational purposes)

Preventing Opioid Pain Medication Addiction

The only way to prevent opioid pain medication addiction is not to take these drugs in the first place. If possible, explore non-opioid treatment alternatives before initiating opioid therapy.

If you must use opioids, take the following safety measures to minimize the risk of opioid dependence and addiction:

• Carefully follow your doctor’s instructions while taking your medication.
• Do not increase your opioid dose without talking with your doctor.
• Consult with your doctor to ensure all medications, supplements, etc., you take can be safely used with opioids.
• Inform your doctor about any side effects you experience after taking opioids.
• Never mix opioids with other substances, including alcohol, that your doctor hasn’t approved of.

Opioid Painkiller Abuse Statistics

Here are some opioid painkiller abuse statistics that illustrate the extent of the opioid epidemic in the United States:

• In 2022, 8.5 million Americans over the age of 12 misused prescription pain medications, 45.1% of whom abused hydrocodone.
• Just above 83,000 Americans lost their lives to an opioid overdose in 2022, with over 75,000 of them overdosing on synthetic opioids like fentanyl.
• People who abuse prescription pain medications are nearly 20 times more likely to develop a heroin addiction.
• More than 2.1 million Americans battled opioid use disorder in 2016.
• Almost 4% of Americans abuse opioids every year.

Developing Opioid Use Disorder (OUD)

OUD is a treatable disease characterized by compulsive, problematic opioid use. It is the preferred term for opioid addiction. Unfortunately, people with OUD often experience financial, emotional, social, and other problems due to opioids, yet they find it virtually impossible to stop taking them.

If you take opioids, you should seek professional help as soon as you notice that you might’ve become dependent on them. Opioid dependence can eventually turn into an OUD, especially if you abuse the medication.

It’s also not uncommon for opioid-dependent people to start using illegal opioids if they can no longer obtain opioids through their doctor.

Illicit opioids are even more dangerous than prescription ones, as you never know what exactly you’re buying. Therefore, even a small amount can lead to a potentially fatal opioid overdose.

Though an OUD can wreak havoc on your life, the good news is that it can be successfully treated. The key to picking the proper treatment is assessing whether or not it addresses the root cause of opioid dependence. Treatments that fail to do this—rapid detox, for example—often lead to relapse, increasing the risk of overdose and death.

ANR Treatment for Opioid Dependence and OUD

Accelerated Neuro-Regulation (ANR) is an ultra-modern opioid dependence treatment developed by Dr. Andre Waismann. This life-changing treatment has helped close to 25,000 people safely and effectively overcome opioid dependence within a matter of days.

ANR’s high success rate is attributed to the fact that it is the first and only treatment that tackles the underlying causes of opioid dependence. The ANR treatment restores the central nervous system to its original state by re-regulating the endorphin-receptor system to its normal levels. As a result, it eliminates withdrawal symptoms and negates the risk of relapse.

Moreover, ANR is not only highly effective but also very safe. The treatment is tailored to each patient’s medical history and needs and is carried out in an ICU setting of accredited hospitals by highly experienced board-certified healthcare professionals, ensuring your safety.

If you want to learn more about ANR, don’t hesitate to contact us for a free consultation—we’ll be happy to answer your questions and guide you toward a lasting recovery!

Key Takeaways

Hopefully, you found this article helpful in learning more about pain medication dependence and addiction.

Before you go, let’s summarize the key points we covered:

• Aside from pain relief, painkillers like opioids, NSAIDs, and muscle relaxers can lead to various side effects, such as respiratory depression, stomach problems, and vomiting.
• Out of all prescription painkillers, opioids carry the highest risk for pain medication addiction.
• ANR is an ultra-modern treatment that can help you overcome opioid dependence by rebalancing the endorphin-receptor system.