How to Quit Painkillers

Painkiller addiction is quite common nowadays. While quitting painkillers can be difficult, thanks to many outlets of support, it's not impossible. If you or a loved one are trying to quit painkillers, there are specific steps to take to kick the addiction.

Instructions

• 1

  Determine your level of addiction by talking with your doctor. While all levels of addiction are serious, they vary in length and severity. For some, like those who have only taken painkillers for a short time following surgery, quitting can be as easy as tapering dosage down until the drug is no longer needed. Others with heavy addictions won't be able to quit this way. This is why it is important to talk to a doctor or counselor to determine what kind of treatment you will need to quit.

• 2

  Set up detox. Detox is a period of time in which heavy abusers of painkillers cleanse their system of the drug. The safest way to detox is in a rehab center or medical facility which can monitor your health as your body adjusts to the absence of painkillers. Talk to you doctor about where and when you should go and expect detox to last anywhere from seven to 10 days.

• 3

  Talk to your loved ones about your plans to quit and the treatment you will be receiving, in order to let them know your intentions and get the proper support you'll need.

• 4

  Set up a support system after detox. Again this may be determined with your doctor and the people in the detox facility and will also depend on the length and level of addiction. Treatments can vary and include outpatient rehab, in which you report to rehab daily for counseling and support but do not reside in the facility. Another option is inpatient rehab, which is much like outpatient only you live at the facility for a period of time. Or, you may do counseling and therapy sessions at a different facility following detox.

• 5

  Find support outside the facility. Your facility may help you do this, but when quitting painkillers it is important to set up a support system in your daily life that will keep you from returning to painkillers. One of the best outside support systems is Narcotics Anonymous, which can be found across the United States and offers numerous kinds of meetings and outreach to help you cope with quitting painkillers.