At study entry, the participant disclosed that, in the past three months, she had taken prescription drugs (specifically ibuprofen) in greater amounts than prescribed to treat her pain or discomfort. She also reported chronic pain for the past 20 years “all over or mostly all over [her] body.” The Brief Pain Inventory, an instrument that assesses both intensity of pain and interference of pain in one’s life, was administered (Cleeland, 1991). On a standard 10-point pain scale, with 0 representing no pain and 10 representing “pain as bad as you can imagine,” the participant reported that in the past week, on average, her pain was a 6; she rated her worst pain in the past week a 7. By comparison, the average pain score among all 250 participants enrolled in the study was 5.3. The daily activity her pain most interfered with was sleep (rated 7 on 10-point pain scale). The level of pain interference reported by the participant was comparable to the level reported by other cohort participants.
Signs and Symptoms of Ibuprofen Addiction
Join us on this journey as we navigate the intricacies of Ibuprofen addiction, unveiling the truth about its risks, and fostering hope and healing on the path to recovery. Ibuprofen addiction is a treatable condition, and early intervention can help prevent serious health and life problems. It’s important to use Ibuprofen only as directed by a doctor or on the label to avoid addiction and other health problems. For some people, Ibuprofen may be a way of “numbing” not only physical pain, but emotional pain as well. It is not just illegal or prescription drugs that can cause problems and regular Ibuprofen users should be aware of the pitfalls. Patients who need extra-strength ibuprofen often require a prescription to access that medication, though standard-strength ibuprofen is readily available without a prescription.
Physical Symptoms of Painkiller Abuse
As with the entire NSAID family, patients will most likely exhibit chronic headaches when they start to develop a dependence on Ibuprofen. These headaches do not have a malignant origin in nature but are termed as “drug-induced rebound headaches” because our body is not used to functioning without high levels of painkillers in our system. The longer the time between doses of medication, the stronger and more prolonged the headaches can last. Still, individuals have the option can you get addicted to ibuprofen to have their primary care physician seek out drug treatment services on their own by using dedicated hotlines and online support platforms. Excessive dependence on ibuprofen, particularly for managing chronic pain, may lead to both mental and physical addiction. It’s essential to recognise that although ibuprofen can be effective for short-term relief from acute pain, its abuse has potential consequences much worse than the initial discomfort it was meant to alleviate.
Identifying the Risks and Consequences of Long-Term Ibuprofen Use and Dependence
Ibuprofen, the active ingredient in Advil, is among the drugs that are known to trigger rebound headaches when taken in a way that’s “off-label,” such as in larger doses or more often than is recommended on the label. Ibuprofen is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) commonly used to treat pain and fever. It is important to follow the instructions on the package or your doctor’s instructions when taking ibuprofen. There are many alternatives to ibuprofen, including acetaminophen, naproxen, and aspirin. It is important to discuss any new medication with your doctor before taking it to ensure it is safe for you.
- In some cases, however, patients turn to Ibuprofen as a treatment for chronic pain conditions.
- This will be more of a psychological dependence and patients will be unable to mentally function unless they are able to take this medication.
- Complicated chemical pathways in your body result in chemicals being released if there’s inflammation or damage in any one part of your body.
- This may lead to the risk of developing a tolerance or dependency on the drug due to feeling as though they cannot function normally without the Ibuprofen.
- At a separate visit, the participant completed a detailed interview-based assessment of lifetime drug use; she denied any illicit drug use in her lifetime (McLellan et al., 1980).
- If you suspect that you or a loved one have an ibuprofen addiction, Francis recommends seeing a licensed mental healthcare professional right away.
What are the Risks Associated with Long-Term Ibuprofen Abuse?
They may experience withdrawal symptoms when they try to stop taking the medicine, like headaches, muscle aches, and irritability. Physical dependence is highly possible with chronic use, and withdrawal symptoms are probable when a person stops taking painkillers. The intensity of the withdrawal symptoms is directly tied to the specific painkiller used, daily intake, time between doses, and length of abuse. Some people’s health and personality can play a role in the severity and duration of their withdrawal process. Accordingly, the purpose of this report is to describe a case of a 58-year old woman with ibuprofen misuse (taking more than prescribed) and DSM-5 moderate NSAID use disorder. NSAIDs, generally thought to have little or no addictive potential, are not classified as a controlled substance; in fact, they have been used as a replacement for placebo in pain-related clinical trials (Adams et al., 2006).
Behavioral Symptoms of Painkiller Usage and Abuse
If you have any questions when picking up your medication, you can ask the pharmacist or call your doctor for clarification. No matter what, don’t take any more than the recommended daily amount for any over-the-counter medication, including ibuprofen. If you’re concerned about how much ibuprofen you’re taking and the impact your Advil use is having on your health, we’re here to help. Our team of compassionate, experienced addiction experts is available to speak with you about your concerns— 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Ibuprofen use can cause a host of uncomfortable side effects ranging from constipation and nausea to dizziness, rashes, itching, and swelling around the eyes, face, and hands.
- These will vary per person because factors such as age, size, weight and general health play a part as well as the amounts taken and possible interaction with other drugs.
- While there are no known cases of psychological dependence on ibuprofen, it is important to use the drug as directed and only when necessary.
- There are also medications and behavioral therapies that can help individuals overcome a painkiller addiction.
- The good news is that these disorders are treatable anxiety conditions that can be successfully diagnosed and treated.
For men and women who have suffered a traumatic event or have unresolved emotional issues, their dependency on Ibuprofen may result out of a psychological need to anesthetize pain. Nonprescription Ibuprofen is available for purchase over the counter in several forms, including concentrated liquid drops, tablets, chewable tables, and in liquid suspension. The maximum over the counter use is approximately 1200 mg per day, and under medical prescription, the upper limit for consumption may be as high as 3200 mg per day.
taking up to 800 mg of ibuprofen a day?
Among the 9.9 million people aged 12 or older who misused prescription pain relievers in 2018, an estimated 5.5 million, or 2% of the population, misused hydrocodone products, making it the most commonly misused type of painkiller. Oxycodone products were the painkiller of choice for an estimated 3.4 million people, or 1.2% of the population, which included OxyContin, Percodan, Percocet, Roxicodone, and generic oxycodone. About 718,000 people misused buprenorphine products, 269,000 misused prescription fentanyl products, and 256,000 misused methadone. Like short-term effects, the long-term physical effects can differ depending on the painkiller being abused and the length of abuse. Chronic users who develop a tolerance may begin taking higher and more frequent doses to achieve pain relief and/or the high they crave. The brain is full of molecules called receptors that receive signals from other parts of the body.
What is Ibuprofen, and what are its legitimate medical uses?
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