Demerol
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Demerol
Demerol is a medication prescribed to treat pain that is moderate to severe in nature and may also used before or during surgery and for pain relief during labor and delivery. Demerol (meperidine) belongs to a group of drugs called narcotic pain relievers. Similar to morphine, Demerol works by dulling the pain perception center in the brain. As a commonly-prescribed pain reliever, Demerol is often abused.
Risk of Dependence
Because it is a narcotic, users of Demerol are at risk of becoming dependent and then developing an addiction to the drug. Here’s what happens: Over time, the body develops a tolerance to the substance. This usually results in the individual taking increasingly higher doses of the medication in order to achieve the pain relief they desire. If they abruptly stop taking the drug (“cold turkey”), they will begin to experience symptoms of withdrawal. Serious consequences from abrupt discontinuation of the drug can include seizures.
Demerol should only be used by the person for whom it was prescribed and never given to another person, especially one with a history of drug abuse or addiction.
Symptoms of Demerol Overdose
Symptoms of Demerol overdose include bluish color of the lips, skin, fingernails, palms or nail beds; change in consciousness; decreased awareness or responsiveness; loss of consciousness; severe sleepiness; or sleepiness or unusual drowsiness.
Anyone experiencing any symptoms of Demerol overdose requires immediate emergency help.
Symptoms of Demerol Addiction
Physiological dependence on Demerol can occur in just a few weeks, although the time frame for this varies from one person to another. Addiction is more than just a set of physiological symptoms, however.
Demerol can be psychologically addictive as well. Demerol works like other narcotic pain relievers by hindering the brain’s production of endorphins – the brain chemicals that cause feelings of pleasure. The drug creates pleasurable feelings very similar to those normally produced by endorphins. Once addicted to Demerol, functioning normally seems nearly impossible without continued use of the drug.
There are generally several common indicators of Demerol addiction. These include the following:
• Using up your prescription much quicker than the prescribed dose and frequency indicates – because you are taking more than the dose prescribed
• Going to see several different doctors or switching doctors – a practice referred to as “doctor-shopping” – in order to obtain additional Demerol prescriptions
• Buying or obtaining Demerol from illegitimate sources – buying it on the street
• Telling pharmacists that you’ve lost your prescription or that someone has stolen it, or requesting the pharmacy fill your script in advance because you’re going out of town and will be unable to have it filled when your current supply runs out
• Insisting that you want Demerol, not any substitute drug, or stating that you’re allergic to alternative medications
• Engaging in lying, stealing or other types of dishonest behavior related to using or obtaining Demerol
• Experiencing withdrawal symptoms when you stop taking Demerol – including intense craving for the drug, agitation, anxiousness, chills, confusion, cramps, delirium, depression, diarrhea, extreme irritability, flu-like symptoms, hallucination, muscle and bone pain, muscle spasms, restlessness, sleeplessness, sweating, vomiting, weakness, and yawning.
Who Is at Risk?
Don’t think that you can’t become dependent upon or addicted to Demerol. While many experts believe that only those with a propensity to substance abuse and addiction are at risk, the fact is that many say if taken long enough, anyone can develop a dependence on Demerol.
There is no way to predict risk in advance. But research shows that you have a higher risk if you have struggled with substance abuse or addiction in the past, or if you have a family history of substance abuse and addiction.
Treatment for Demerol Addiction
In addition, if you are addicted to Demerol, it is unlikely that you will be able to quit on your own. Even though you may want to, as soon as you begin to experience withdrawal symptoms, you’ll very likely resume taking the drug.
Treatment for Demerol dependence and addiction often requires medically supervised detox followed by residential treatment at a professional drug rehab facility. After completion of residential treatment, continued treatment on an outpatient basis is often recommended in order to provide support and prevent relapse.
--Suzannekane 18:03, 7 July 2011 (MDT)
