How many times have you had a minor headache and ran to the medicine cabinet or took painkillers just before you start your period so that you won’t feel the expected pain? Have you ever tried to convince your doctor to prescribe something much more stronger than what he had previously prescribed for you? Well, these are signs that you could be addicted to painkillers.
What are painkillers?
Painkillers are pills that are used to relieve or reduce pain. They have different functions and they may be given for a specific purpose, for example, for a toothache or post-surgery pain. There are two types of painkillers – over-the-counter painkillers and prescription painkillers. Over the-counter painkillers can be bought without a prescription, while prescription painkillers are those that need a prescription from an authorised prescriber to be legally bought. When used appropriately, they can alleviate minor pain for a one-time user or improve the quality of life for someone who’s suffering from a chronic pain. Painkillers are easily available over the counter so they’re more vulnerable to being abused.
