Addiction to Painkillers: Symptoms & Treatment

They may also exhibit secretive behavior, hiding their usage from friends and family. Though Ibuprofen is a non-addictive drug, it can affect a person’s well-being if a dependency is created with the drug. An individual may feel as though they cannot adequately function unless they are continually taking the drug. This could be harmful physically, psychologically, socially, and financially. One in five U.S. adults (over 50 million Americans) suffer from chronic pain and taking over-the-counter pain medication is typically the first line of defense. However, reliance on these types of medications may actually increase pain.

Unravelling the Truth About Ibuprofen Addiction

Evoke Wellness has been treating over-the-counter addiction for decades. We have seen the most downtrodden OTC addicts arrive here and reclaim their energy for life drug-free and leave healthy. We provide one-on-one, small group, cognitive, and dialectical behavioral therapy, psychiatric assessments, and professional aftercare support to all patients in the OTC rehab. Is no, there may be a connection between ibuprofen misuse and addiction to other substances. Misuse of ibuprofen and over-reliance on it for pain management can indicate a broader pattern of behavior that may predispose individuals to substance misuse or addiction. In the quest for pain relief, many people turn to over-the-counter medications, with ibuprofen being one of the most common options.

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Some research has suggested a link between long-term use of NSAIDs including ibuprofen and gastrointestinal (GI) reactions including gastrointestinal bleeding and peptic ulcer disease. Other medications may be prescribed to protect the stomach if long-term use of ibuprofen is also prescribed. Consequently, it’s easy to slip into a cycle where you depend on Ibuprofen to function properly. You feel like you need it to get rid of chronic pain, and this leads to you taking more and more every single day – even when the underlying health issue has gone.

Potential Health Risks of Long-Term Use of Ibuprofen:

Ibuprofen is a medication belonging to the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAIDs) class and is typically used to manage mild to moderate pain, reduce fever, or decrease inflammation, stiffness, https://ecosoberhouse.com/ and swelling. Nonprescription Ibuprofen may be used to relieve pain from muscle aches, headaches, menstrual period, backaches, toothaches, and the common cold. Your healthcare provider will conduct a formal assessment of your symptoms and medical history in order to diagnose your condition, determine its severity, and develop a treatment plan. Ibuprofen works by inhibiting the production of substances (such as an enzyme known as cyclooxygenase or COX) that cause pain, inflammation, and fever. It is meant for short-term relief of symptoms, and the dose can range from 400mg to 800mg, four times per day.

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Our goal is to empower individuals and families bysimplifying the search for effective care, offering guidance and support throughout the recovery journey. Whetheryou’re looking for local rehab centers or specialized addiction treatment services, we’re here to help you takethe first step toward lasting freedom and a brighter future. Although ibuprofen is not considered a highly addictive substance like opioids or benzodiazepines, it can still be abused and lead to adverse consequences.

• Psychological dependence refers to mental cravings or emotional attachments that develop from using a substance, which can be driven by factors such as stress relief or habit formation.
• For example, the best painkiller to ease your headache may not be the best one for your backache.
• These remedies have limited side effects and can be safely used to treat arthritis pain and other inflammatory conditions.
• At the very least, we can direct you to proper medical help in your local area.

The Thin Line Between Use and Misuse

Although ibuprofen is a typically safe medication when used correctly, it can poison the body if large enough amounts are taken. Upon further questioning, the woman revealed that she had been taking about 20 tablets of can you get addicted to ibuprofen ibuprofen tablets daily (∼4 g/d) for the last three months to control her ankle pain. Doctors should always take time to prescribe the appropriate drug with its proper dosage. Patients should always seek the advice of medical personnel before beginning any treatment.

Identifying the Risks and Consequences of Long-Term Ibuprofen Use and Dependence

This article explores the symptoms, causes, diagnosis, and treatment of ibuprofen addiction. Over 11% of ibuprofen users take over the prescribed dosage and have the potential to become dependent on the medication, says Angeleena Francis, LMHC, Vice President of Operations at AMFM Healthcare. If you take recreational drugs, such as cannabis, cocaine or heroin, while you’re taking co-codamol, you’re more likely to get the serious side effects of the codeine in co-codamol.

• For more information, see best practices for medication-assisted treatment.
• That said, there has been one rare case study documenting moderate substance abuse disorder after continuously taking more ibuprofen than prescribed.
• Someone can become psychologically dependent on ibuprofen, mainly if they use it habitually, not just for physical pain relief but also as a way of dealing with deeper emotional or psychological problems.
• As the most used over-the-counter (OTC) painkilling ingredient, ibuprofen is used by millions of people every day to reduce fever symptoms, as a headache remedy, chronic bone and joint pains, muscle aches, PMS cramps, and so on.
• This often involves exploring non-drug options like physical therapy, massage, acupuncture, and mindfulness practices such as deep breathing, meditation, and yoga.

Inform your doctor if you are expecting a child or if you have any plans to do so. This medicine may interfere with normal labor and delivery and endanger an unborn child. If your doctor determines that you must take this drug between weeks 20 and 30 of pregnancy, you should take it at the lowest effective dose for the shortest possible Oxford House time. Inform your doctor or pharmacist about allergies before using ibuprofen, aspirin, or other NSAIDs (such as naproxen or celecoxib). Inactive chemicals in this product have the potential to trigger allergic reactions or other issues. While occasional use of this drug within the recommended dose is generally thought safe, care and proper consultation should always take place before using any OTC drug for the first time.