Painkillers

A painkiller (or an “analgesic”) is any member of the group of drugs used to relieve pain. Most painkillers are safe when taken as directed, but many people abuse them, which can lead to addiction. Morphine, oxycodone, hydrocodone, and codeine are among the most addictive painkillers.



Articles Related to Painkillers

One in Five Wisconsin Teens Have Abused Prescription Drugs

A new study shows that one in five Wisconsin teenagers have abused prescription pain killers. This is the first time the Department of Public Instruction (DPI) has asked about teenage prescription drug abuse in its annual Youth Risk Behavior Survey.
December 29th, 2009 | Prescription Drug Addiction | Read More

Steven Tyler in Rehab for Painkiller Addiction

Steven Tyler, lead singer of the band Aerosmith, has entered a treatment center for pain management and an addiction to prescription painkillers resulting from 10 years of performance injuries, according to People magazine.
December 23rd, 2009 | Prescription Drug Addiction | Read More

Be Smart About Prescription Addiction: What You Don’t Know May Kill You

How long has it been since you’ve done a complete inventory of all the prescription medications and over-the-counter drugs you have in your home? Do you even know what you have? Some of those old containers of pills, solutions, drops and creams may be long past their expiration date. Chances are,...
December 14th, 2009 | Prescription Drug Addiction | Read More

Burt Reynolds Enters Rehab

Actor Burt Reynolds, 73, has checked himself into a rehab facility in West Palm Beach, Florida, to be treated for an addiction to painkillers. The actor’s manager, Erik Kritzer, said in a statement that Reynolds was struggling after a recent back surgery and “realized that he was in the prison of...
September 15th, 2009 | Prescription Drug Addiction | Read More

Prescription Drug Abuse Called an Epidemic in Kentucky

In 2005, prescription drug abuse killed more than 8,500 Americans, and it is estimated that more than 7 million Americans abuse prescription drugs every year. In fact, the DEA reports that opioid painkillers like Vicodin and OxyContin now cause more overdose deaths than cocaine and heroin combined. While...
July 8th, 2009 | Prescription Drug Addiction | Read More

The Dangers of Demerol

By Leslie Thompson “Demerol, Demerol. Oh, God, he’s taking Demerol” are very poignant lyrics from Michael Jackson’s 1997 song “Morphine.” With Jackson’s shocking death on June 25, 2009, many questions have arisen, the most popular one being whether he died from a drug overdose. Jackson...
July 2nd, 2009 | Addiction in the Media | Read More

Drug Use in Health Care

As anyone who’s seen the show knows, Nurse Jackie, the title character of Showtime’s new hospital drama, depends on narcotic painkillers like OxyContin, Vicodin, and Percocet to make it through each day as an ER nurse. She suffers from chronic back pain, and is seen snorting or drinking powdered...
June 23rd, 2009 | Prescription Drug Addiction | Read More

Danny Gans’ Death Linked to Painkiller Dilaudid

Las Vegas performer and comedian Danny Gans was known as “The Man of Many Voices,” and made his name through song, dance, and impressions ranging from Sammy Davis Jr. to Kermit the Frog. He was a permanent performer throughout Las Vegas, but his life ended abruptly at the age of 52 on May 1, 2009. A...
June 10th, 2009 | Prescription Drug Addiction | Read More

The Realities of Dilaudid

The brand name for hydromorphone, Dilaudid, is a drug that is used to relieve moderate to severe pain and severe, painful dry coughing. A derivative of morphine, it is a centrally-acting analgesic drug of the opioid class. In many countries, this drug is replacing morphine and heroin when one or both...
May 18th, 2009 | Prescription Drug Addiction | Read More

Chris Benoit’s Doctor Sentenced to 10 Years for Illegal Prescriptions

In June of 2007, 40-year-old professional wrestler Chris Benoit hung himself after strangling and killing his wife and their seven-year-old son. Many people believe that a combination of the drugs Benoit took, including steroids and testosterone, and the multiple concussions he suffered during his wrestling...
May 12th, 2009 | Prescription Drug Addiction | Read More