Find withdrawal symptoms of pain killers and what treatment is available for pain killer abuse in this article.

Since this area differs significantly depending on which group of pain killers one is discussing, they will be handled separately.

Aspirin, Acetaminophen, and NSAID Withdrawal and Treatment

For aspirin, acetaminophen, and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), the term withdrawal does not have the same meaning as for drugs that are habit-forming or addictive. In most cases, the person who stops abusing these substances will simply have to deal with whatever pain - physical or emotional - they were being used to address, and the possible damage to the body, if any, caused by the abuse.

This could be stomach bleeding, ulcers, or analgesic nephropathy - toxic injury to the kidneys that can be caused by chronic use of aspirin, acetaminophen, or NSAIDs. Needed treatments may include: 

• providing a different source of pain relief if the abuse was overuse of these substances as pain killers 
• addressing any kidney problems, such as kidney failure, including dialysis 
• addressing any ulcerations of the stomach or small intestines, including medications to kill bacteria and reduce acid levels so the tissue can heal

It was reported in June of 2006 that NSAIDs can increase the risk of a heart attack • even when used as directed, and any cardiovascular damage caused by abuse would also need to be addressed.

Opioid Withdrawal and Treatment 

• Opiod Withdrawal Symptoms

Symptoms of withdrawal from opioids • which may occur even in legal long-term use (in which case, the issue is physical dependence, not addiction) • include the following: 

• restlessness 
• pain in bones and muscles 
• insomnia 
• diarrhea 
• vomiting 
• cold flashes with goose bumps (the origin of the term “cold turkey”) 
• involuntary leg movements 


• Opioid Treatment

Treatment for an overdose is similar for the various opioids, and depending on time since ingestion, may include a combination of the following: 

• Medicines to treat symptoms, such as depressed respiration 
• Treatments to remove the pain killer from the system, such as 
  • Activated charcoal 
  • Laxatives 
  • Gastric lavage (washing out the stomach) 
• Intravenous fluids

A different narcotic (called an antagonist) may be administered to reverse effects of the overdosed substance.

Treatment may be specially tailored if the opioid was taken in combination with another substance (such as Vicodin®, which contains acetaminophen as well as hydrocodone).

Treatments for addiction include pharmacological substitutes that relieve symptoms and reduce cravings, such as methadone and buprenorphine; and opioid blockers, such as naltrexone, which help to prevent relapse.

Pain Killer Abuse Withdrawal and Treatment Sources

• nlm.nih.gov
• healthsentinel.com
• drugabuse.gov

Related Article: Pain Killers Signs and Names >>