Content
For many people, controlling pain without these medications simply isn’t possible. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 20.4% of American adults suffer from chronic pain. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications, like Ibuprofen, function in the body by decreasing the production of substances that cause fever, pain, and inflammation.
This type of dependence typically involves the body adjusting to a substance to the point where it experiences withdrawal symptoms upon cessation. With ibuprofen, physical dependence is rare but not entirely out of the realm of possibility, mainly when used in higher-than-recommended doses over prolonged periods. Long-term use can lead to the body adapting to its anti-inflammatory effects, potentially leading individuals to increase their dosage to achieve the same pain relief, creating a cycle that can be challenging to break. However, most concerns surrounding ibuprofen relate more to its side effects and the risk of damage to organs such as the kidneys or liver with long-term misuse. The line between the responsible use of ibuprofen and misuse is finer than many realize. Misuse can range from exceeding the recommended daily dosage to using the drug for extended periods without medical advice.
If you get skin blisters or redness, or if you suffer a sunburn, call your doctor right away. It could take up to two weeks of consistently using this medication for some illnesses (like arthritis) before you see the full effects. Sober living house In rare but severe cases, extreme overuse has been linked to rhabdomyolysis—a dangerous condition where muscle tissue breaks down, releasing proteins into the bloodstream that can cause kidney failure. Certain groups seem particularly vulnerable to developing problematic patterns with ibuprofen use. Feeling strangely urgent about taking ibuprofen even when pain is minimal or nonexistent.
Causes of Ibuprofen Dependency
To avoid dehydration, follow your doctor’s instructions to drink enough fluids. You should notify your physician immediately if the amount of pee changes. Rarely, this medication may lead to significant (and perhaps fatal) liver damage. If you have any liver damage symptoms, such as persistent nausea or vomiting, appetite loss, dark urine, stomach or abdominal discomfort, or yellowing of the skin or eyes, seek medical attention immediately. Remember that if your doctor has prescribed this medicine, it is because he or she has determined that the benefits to you outweigh the risks of side effects.
Safer Alternatives for Chronic Pain Management
Consult the package recommendations for the recommended dosage based on your child’s weight. If you need assistance picking a non-prescription product or have issues, speak with your pharmacist or doctor. Reaching out for help with medication concerns shows strength, not weakness. With the right support and strategies, you can find effective ways to manage pain while keeping risks to a minimum and maintaining your quality of life.
Withdrawal Symptoms of Ibuprofen Abuse
Liver damage is another potential outcome, especially when ibuprofen is combined with alcohol or other medications that stress the liver. For some, it begins with chronic pain conditions that seem to demand constant medication. Others may find themselves relying on ibuprofen to cope with stress or anxiety, using it as an emotional crutch rather than addressing underlying issues. In some cases, the addictive behavior stems from a misguided belief that more is better when it comes to pain relief. Accessibility to addiction treatment services is a cornerstone of a comprehensive strategy to combat ibuprofen misuse and addiction.
Although ibuprofen is a common and effective over-the-counter medication, its misuse can lead to dependency and other health complications. Commonly used for analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are among the most frequently used medications in the world. In spite of their prevalence, reports of NSAID misuse and NSAID use disorder are uncommon.
Misuse can lead to serious complications, including gastrointestinal issues, kidney damage, and cardiovascular problems. The participant was a 58-year-old, Black female of Haitian descent, living with HIV. The participant’s responses to questions designed to assess each specific DSM-IV and DSM-5 substance use disorder criterion are detailed in Table 1. In total, she met 4 out of 11 substance use disorder criteria related to her use of ibuprofen, which met the threshold for DSM-5 moderate substance use disorder (American Psychiatric Association, 2013). The participant denied using any drug non-medically other than ibuprofen in the previous 12 months.
If you’re concerned about your ibuprofen use or that of someone you love, reaching out for support is a sign of strength, not weakness. Learn more about our prescription drug addiction treatment center and how we can help. Many people find that exploring alternative pain management techniques opens up a whole new world of relief. Physical therapy, acupuncture, massage, and even certain types of exercise can significantly reduce pain without the risks of medication.
How do people get addicted to painkillers?
While addiction to ibuprofen differs from traditional addiction, ibuprofen can be misused. It’s essential to know when to seek expert assistance if you’re struggling with an addiction to ibuprofen. When a person takes the drug in doses that exceed the recommended amounts or continues their use beyond the advised duration, it becomes particularly critical to get help.
Can you get high on Ibuprofen?
For individuals experiencing withdrawal symptoms as a result of reducing or stopping their use of ibuprofen or other OTC drugs, MAT can offer relief and support during the detoxification process. In the broader context of managing pain without resorting to chronic use of medications like ibuprofen, exploring alternative pain relief methods and integrative approaches becomes essential. Since many medications (including aspirin, NSAIDs like celecoxib, ketorolac, or naproxen) contain painkillers/fever reducers, carefully read the labels of all prescription and over-the-counter medicines. If you take these medications together, similar to ibuprofen, your risk of experiencing side effects may increase. However, suppose your doctor has prescribed low-dose aspirin (about 81–162 milligrams per day) for heart attack or stroke prevention. In that case, you should continue taking the aspirin until otherwise ordered by your physician.
As a household name, Advil benefits from strong brand recognition and consumer trust, factors that can inadvertently contribute to its potential for misuse. You may also generally feel off when you stop taking ibuprofen at high doses. “This is not an addiction or withdrawal.” Instead, she calls it an expected result.
- Considering this aspect, addressing ibuprofen misuse requires a holistic approach, encompassing both the physical and mental health dimensions, to foster healthier coping mechanisms for pain and stress.
- While ibuprofen, better known by brand names Advil and Motrin, is not usually thought to be addictive, criteria for substance use disorder (SUD) can still be met.
- Those with anxiety disorders sometimes turn to ibuprofen to manage physical symptoms of their anxiety—like headaches or muscle tension—rather than addressing the underlying anxiety itself.
Add in repeated problems from the use, unsuccessful attempts to reduce it, or preoccupation with the use of ibuprofen, and a SUD diagnosis may be warranted. In some cases, a dependency on Advil and NSAIDs may be masking anxiety issues. One mental health condition that commonly co-occurs with Advil addiction is somatic symptom disorder. Closely related to hypochondria (which also co-occurs with Advil use disorder), somatic symptom disorder is characterized by an obsessive preoccupation with pain and other physical symptoms.
