Recently we have been talking a lot about pain medication addiction and overdose. When a person becomes addicted to any drug, one of the most difficult things about quitting is withdrawal. In this article, we are going to go over some of the signs of pain medication withdrawal, and offer some tips for dealing with these symptoms and ultimately preventing addiction and overdose.

Withdrawal Symptoms

All drugs can lead to withdrawal once a person stops taking said drug. Even caffeine withdrawal can cause headaches, irritability, and other symptoms. But unlike caffeine addiction, which has relatively mild symptoms, opioid withdrawals can be unbearable. Here are some possible symptoms of opioid pain medicine withdrawal:

• Feelings of nausea and/or vomiting
• Aching muscles
• A craving for the drug
• Chills and goosebumps
• Diarrhea
• Enlarged pupils

Unfortunately many patients are too close to their situation to see that they are experiencing withdrawal symptoms. That’s why it’s a good idea for everyone to be aware of these symptoms so they can keep an eye on any family or friends who are taking prescription drugs.

Tips for Dealing with Withdrawal

The number one thing you can do if you start to notice symptoms of withdrawal in yourself or a loved one is to seek medical help. There are numerous medications that can help patients reduce withdrawal symptoms and get off of prescription opioids. But first and foremost you need to ask for help.

If you are experiencing withdrawal symptoms from one of your prescription meds, talk to your prescribing doctor right away. Catching these symptoms is key to curtailing addiction and overdose. Your pain medicine doctor can help wean you off of the drug while still keeping your pain at bay. The skilled physicians at Advanced Spine & Pain Clinics of MN have been helping Minnesotans with pain conditions for decades. Our doctors are acutely aware of the risks associated with prescription pain medication and take special care with each and every patient to talk about the steps necessary to avoid addiction. Contact us today to set up an appointment with one of our Minnesota pain relief physicians.