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Do People Use Painkillers for Emotional Pain?

image of mature woman looking sad while wondering do people use painkillers for emotional pain

Have you ever taken a painkiller to numb not just physical pain but emotional pain as well? You’re not alone. Many people turn to painkillers in an attempt to cope with their emotions.

But is this really a solution?

Painkillers, especially opiate painkillers, are highly addictive. It doesn’t matter who you are. Taking prescription medications like OxyContin, hydrocodone, Xanax, Vicodin, Fentanyl, or codeine could build up a tolerance to opioid drugs. Physical tolerance is a primary characteristic of prescription painkiller addiction. Tolerance often drives individuals to use more and more medications to achieve the desired effects.

At Michael’s House, we believe that using painkillers to numb emotional pain is not a sustainable solution. It can lead to addiction and other negative consequences, including overdose and death. Instead, we encourage individuals to seek healthy coping mechanisms and therapy for their emotions. Reach out to Michael’s House at 760.548.4032 to better understand the risks of painkillers for emotions and to learn more about our painkiller rehab center.

Why Do People Choose Painkillers for Emotional Pain?

People become addicted to prescription painkillers for several reasons, but attempting to self-medicate emotional pain is high on the list. The emotional reasons why some people may misuse substances can be broken down into four different categories:

  1. Inability to handle pain
  2. Feelings of unworthiness
  3. Need for approval from others
  4. Need for control, numbing, or relief from anxiety or stress

If you are using painkillers to deal with emotional pain, know that help is available. Addiction treatment at Michael’s House can provide the tools and support you need to break free from addiction and learn healthier ways of coping with emotions.

Inability to Handle Pain

Unfortunately, many people experience overwhelming emotional pain in childhood and experience feelings like helplessness and loneliness as a result. However, as an adult, it is possible to learn to manage these feelings in a healthy way without turning to drugs for assistance. Taking a narcotic or opioid drug doesn’t disappear feelings or problems. Instead, when the effects of the drug wear off, the original problem is still there.

Feelings of Unworthiness

Feelings of unworthiness may come from not receiving the affection you needed as a child or the perception that you did not get what you needed from the adults in your life. A child may speculate on the cause and decide they do not deserve to be loved. These feelings can create a deep-seated sense of shame. Sadly, these feelings can follow individuals into adulthood and hinder them, even if they find a loving partner, friends, or community.

Taking painkillers may seem like the only way to feel better. Unfortunately, the mechanism of opiate addiction is such that, over time, without the pills, people feel even worse than they did before they started.

Needing the Approval of Others

Approval from other people is a core need for most individuals. While wanting and needing recognition is healthy, it can be debilitating if too much importance is placed on the opinions of others. Sometimes, individuals turn to substance use as a way to numb social anxiety or quell worries about what other people think.

Needing Control

The need for control is another reason a person may turn to painkillers. The fact that life is uncontrollable is scary. Unfortunately, painkiller addiction can become dangerously out of control, too. You may be able to control your mood with the first pill, but the second, third, and fourth pills can control you.

Risks of Using Painkillers to Numb Emotions

It’s no secret that people live in a world full of stress and pain. To cope with these negative emotions, many people turn to painkillers to numb the pain. While this may offer some temporary relief, some risks are associated with painkillers to numb emotions. First, numbing emotions can lead to an increased reliance on painkillers. Over time, this can lead to addiction and dependency.

Additionally, numbing emotions can prevent people from dealing with the root cause of their pain. By numbing emotions, people are avoiding the situation that is causing them stress or pain. This avoidance can lead to further emotional damage in the long run. Finally, numbing emotions can make it difficult to experience positive emotions. When individuals attempt to numb emotions, they numb both the good and the bad. This can lead to a general sense of emptiness and disconnection from others.

Some other significant risks of using painkillers for emotions can include:

  • Physical health problems
  • Financial strain
  • Relationships strain
  • Loss of job or career

If you feel like you are relying on painkillers to numb your emotions, know that help is available. Treatment at a specialized facility like Michael’s House can provide the support and tools necessary to break free from addiction and address the underlying emotional pain.

Find Treatment for Painkiller Addiction at Michael’s House

Healing from painkiller addiction is possible. At Michael’s House, we know that facing pain and discomfort can be an illogical thought, and we are here to help you every step of the way. At Michael’s House, we have the tools and resources you need to become healthy again. We can help you break your addiction to opioids or other substances with a painkiller detox and rehab program that is personalized to suit your needs. Contact Michael’s House at 760.548.4032 today for more information on the risks of using painkillers for emotions.

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