painkiller abuse
Overusing relief medication
Painkiller abuse is the misuse of pain-relieving drugs, particularly opioids like oxycodone or hydrocodone, by taking them in ways other than prescribed—higher doses, more frequently, or without a prescription.
The line between treating chronic pain and developing dependence is notoriously blurry, which has fueled widespread addiction: The opioid crisis began with painkiller abuse.
- opioidsReceptor-binding pain relievers
- addictionCompulsive substance reliance
- substance use disorderCompulsive intake despite harm
- overdoseHarmful excess intake
- emergency roomHospital crisis department
pills · prescription · prescription refill · dependence · withdrawal · cold turkey · narcotics · tolerance · relapse · pharmacy · pill mill · fentanyl · codeine · morphine · detox · rehab · rock bottom · family intervention
painkiller abusesobriety
Unimpaired mental state
abstinence · recovery · clean living · opioid recovery · teetotalism
pain, pains, painful, painfully, painless, painlessly, paining, pained, kill