Painkiller Abuse Leads To Addiction

We have seen many celebrities succumbing to death involving prescription drug overdose. From the legendary icons Elvis Presley and Marilyn Monroe, to modern day icons Heath Ledger and Michael Jackson. Whether the cause of deaths were suicide or accidental overdose, the stigma on prescription drugs, particularly painkillers, has already been etched on the minds of many people.

As if these deaths were not enough, last month's headline about Aerosmith's Steven Tyler getting into rehab due to painkiller addiction once again brings to fore the risk and danger of painkillers.

Painkillers are prescription medication intended to block pain pathways in the body. This medication is administered to patients suffering from chronic pain. Experts believe that it is very unlikely for a patient who is regularly taking painkillers with a doctor's prescription and direction to get addicted to the medication, much less a normal person.

While some painkillers may be potentially addictive, the only sure way for it to happen is when a person abuses it – meaning to say, it goes beyond the bounds of prescription and direction of use. Usually, painkiller abuse is associated with a desire to derive a euphoric sense of well-being. - Ramon Bravante