People become addicted without even knowing it is happening. They become addicted without any intention of doing so. When the prescription for pain medicine runs out the user often wants to continue feeling the euphoric affects of the medication, therein lies the problem. The desire to continue feeling good becomes more important than what is best for them, then the user must find a way to keep getting that medication, or something similar to produce the euphoric feelings.
Most people enjoy feeling good (emotionally and physically), but to achieve the feelings because of medication/drugs is not acceptable. Upon the discontinuance of pain medication is usually when the trouble materializes. Whether it be from pain pills or street drugs, the basic results are the same. The chemicals that reduce pain also produce a feeling of euphoria. Medically recognized, euphoria is an emotional and mental state of elation and well-being. This affect of the medication can be quite pleasing to many people. It may be so enjoyable that it feels as if all of the users troubles have disappeared and there is an over whelming feeling of happiness and contentment.
Does It Keep Taking More and More To Feel Better?
One of the many problems with the chemistry of pain medication is tolerance. In other words, it takes more and more medication to achieve the same result. For example, if were prescribed one pill every six hours, within a few weeks or a month it will take more pills, more often, to achieve the same affect.
Some people do not care for the effects of the medication, others, simply, fall in love with it. The euphoric feeling from pain medication is very similar to the feelings produced by heroin. The main difference between medication and street drugs is the intensity and the speed of the feeling of euphoria and pain relief. Receiving pain medication in an IV at an emergency room, is almost equal to the experience of heroin user when they “get a hit.” You can probably now see why people will continue using medication, even after their pain is gone. The feeling of euphoria can be quite tempting, for some, it is irresistible, and they will find someway, somehow, to get that feeling again. When that desire overpowers everything else, it is called Addiction.
