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The abuse or non-medical use of prescription drugs remains a growing concern for health care providers, employers, and the general public. According to the 2006 National Survey on Drug Use and Health from the US Department of Health and Human Services, the number of people reporting the use of prescription pain relievers ranked fourth after marijuana and other illicit drugs. Additionally, the number of men reporting use at the time of the survey was higher than women.

Prescription pain relievers, specifically opioids, are the most commonly abused form of prescription drugs. While these pain relievers are a useful medical tool that help people recover from serious injury and cope with chronic pain, they are highly addictive drugs, especially for those at a greater risk of developing drug addiction or those who have abused drugs or alcohol in the past.

Men working in fields with a high risk of injury, such as construction, logging, commercial fishing, and professional sports, may be at a greater risk for addiction to prescription drugs. Injuries incurred in these lines of work can be severe and debilitating. During recovery and physical therapy, prescription painkillers are commonly prescribed to alleviate chronic pain, which helps with physical rehabilitation.

Yet for many men, especially those whose injury is severe and recovery is slow, depression can set in. Feelings of uselessness from the inability to work, changes in finances, and even psychological damage can facilitate a dependency on the drugs, even after the real pain has subsided.

Signs of Prescription Drug Addiction After Injury

The signs of prescription drug addiction often mimic those of other addictions, but may be harder to recognize. A person addicted to prescription pain relievers often exaggerates their pain levels, long after the pain should have subsided. They may try to switch doctors, claiming they are unsatisfied with their treatment, in hopes of securing new prescriptions. A set back in recovery where progress was once being made, especially with claims of increased pain, may also signify addiction.

If a person is attempting to secure medication without a prescription through online pharmacies over seas or out of the country or attempts to alter their prescription through forgery, this is a strong indicator of addiction. Lastly, if the use of prescription pain relievers seems to alter the user’s mood, or they are going through their prescription too quickly, addiction could be the cause.

While workplace injuries alone are not the only risk factor of prescription drug addiction, they are a risk factor, especially for men. If you or a loved one has become addicted to pain relievers, prescription drug addiction recovery at Mark Houston Recovery in Texas is designed to provide support for the whole person, with a focus on regaining life skills, including financial sanity and goal setting. The 90-day recovery center aids men in recovery and relapse prevention, providing a longer time for transitioning than traditional 30-day centers.

With licensed Chemical Dependency Counselors, Mark Houston Recovery provides extended care in conjunction with programs focused on rebuilding life skills to help all residents regain control of their lives after addiction.

Tags: Addiction, Drugs //