9781422270578

Unfortunately, substances like these (called opioids or opiates) can become physically addictive very quickly. Some people may experience signs of addiction almost immediately after taking an opioid. It is important to note that not all abused painkillers are opiates or opioids. Some types work in similar ways on the body but can create different types of addiction that vary, depending on a person’s body. Which Painkillers Are Abused? Before discussing painkiller addiction symptoms and the ways they can affect a person’s family, it is important to discuss a few of the most commonly abused types on the market. These fall into three separate categories, although one painkiller type is more commonly abused than the others. We’ll highlight the general effects of each to help you understand them more fully. Barbiturates These drugs fall under many different names, including commercial listings like Nembutal, Seconal, and Phenobarbital. On the street, they are also called barbs, reds, tooies, yellows, yellow jackets, phennies, and red birds. Barbiturates cause feelings of well-being, lowered inhibitions, impaired coordination, memory troubles, respiratory distress, euphoria, and pain relief when abused. People may abuse barbiturates with other downers, like alcohol, to produce a very potent high. Others create a speedball with uppers like cocaine or methamphetamine to create another type of high. Unfortunately, these painkillers are often easy to find, because they’re highly prescribed and may be sold by people who no longer need to use them or who want to make money.

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The Young Adult Drug Library: Painkillers