People become addicted to drugs for a variety of reasons and with each day that passes their addiction can become more severe. Painkillers have become one of the most widely abused drugs in today's society. A medication originally prescribed to ease severe pain has turned into what is now an addiction for millions of people.

Sadly people often become addicted to drugs quickly and often without even realizing it. This is especially true for people who have been the victims of severe accidents that have resulted in constant chronic pain. For thousands of abusers an addiction to painkillers started from doctors who did not foresee their patients becoming addicted.

Most people become addicted to painkillers as a result of an ongoing legal prescription, while many others have obtained painkillers from illegal sources. After recreational consumption of narcotic painkillers over a short period of time some people have become addicted to them. One reason becoming addicted to narcotic painkillers is easy to do is because of the euphoric sensation they produce.

Individuals who have addictive personalities are especially prone to easily becoming addicted to narcotics. The dangers of this type of addiction are far more serious than any legal implications imposed. Just as any other drug damages the body so do narcotic painkillers.

Not only is the body at risk, so are the addicted individual's personality and lifestyle choices. At first this addiction is seemingly harmless, but if left overlooked it has been known to be the cause of damage in relationships. Thousands of families are broken and lives forever changed as a result of painkiller abuse.

People who have become addicted to painkillers often have more difficulty obtaining the drug of their choice. This is especially so for those who are not able to get a legal prescription. Obtaining painkillers on the street is often impossible and always expensive. Withdrawal symptoms are severe and can lead to aggression, inner withdrawal, seizures, coma, and often death.

Individuals who have a family member that is addicted to painkillers are no stranger to the immense and emotional trauma it imposes. Their loved one is likely to experience withdrawal symptoms that result in fits of rage. If you are in a situation where a loved one's painkiller abuse is becoming a problem, or has been a problem, it is easy to feel helpless in such a hopeless situation.

Though at times giving up on that person may feel like thats the only thing to do, it is not. Contacting a drug rehabilitation center will play a key role in helping a loved one kick their addiction. Getting involved with a support group will be a tremendous first step for all involved.

Learning how to deal with a loved one's addiction is a crucial factor in communicating with them about their addiction. Nagging and fighting with them certainly will not help. Being there for them emotionally and encouraging them to get involved with a rehabilitation program 800-303-2482 is about the only way to help them.

If they are obtaining narcotics from a physician it may be wise to consult with him or her about the problem. Because of the serious nature of this type of addiction many individuals have to be weaned off of narcotics through other types of medications. If in this situation it is important to remember that painkiller abuse is every bit as serious as any other addiction and family members who are addicted need support and understanding more than anything else.