Demerol Addiction & Treatment

In certain hospital settings, such as immediately after surgery or childbirth, Demerol is a useful, necessary drug. But the pain relief offered by this prescription drug can quickly turn to full-blown addiction for users who aren’t careful. American Addiction Centers can help you beat the Demerol addiction affecting you or your loved one. Call us today at .

 

What is Demerol?

Demerol is the brand name for meperidine, a narcotic prescription-only pain reliever in the opioid drug category. Demerol is often compared to morphine, as the two drugs provide similar levels of pain relief. For much of the 20th century, Demerol was the prescription opiate most frequently prescribed by doctors, though these days the drug is somewhat less favored by medical professionals.

Demerol tablets are often simply referred to as “pain killers” or their nickname “Demmies.”

How is Demerol consumed?

Demerol can be ingested orally, (tablets are usually white, round and convex) in liquid form (a banana-flavored syrup) or injected, with which the effects are typically most intense.

How widespread is Demerol addiction?

The 2008 National Survey on Drug Use and Health found that nearly 12 million Americans aged 12 or older had abused prescription pain relievers, a category that includes Demerol, within the past year, a figure that represented nearly 5% of the entire U.S. adult population.

However, there are some indications that other prescription opiates, such as oxycodone, are becoming more of a national problem than Demerol. For example, the fact that Demerol is most effective when injected has led some doctors to become reluctant to prescribe Demerol tablets to patients, creating fewer opportunities for Demerol abuse.

Unfortunately, those who suffer from Demerol addiction will often find a way to get their fix, and there have even been reports of stealing the drug from medical facilities.

What are Demerol’s short-term effects?

Similarly to other opioids, like the painkiller Percocet or the medication Percodan, Demerol alters the perception of pain in the spinal cord and central nervous system, providing relief from acute pain or chronic severe pain. Other short-term effects experienced by users include:

1. A euphoric feeling that begins 10-15 minutes after ingestion and lasts anywhere from 2-4 hours.
2. Nausea
3. Vomiting
4. Loss of appetite
5. Loss of interest in sex

 

What are Demerol’s long-term effects?

Demerol addiction, over time, can have disastrous consequences. Extensive research by Australian Health Department officials has uncovered various harmful long-term effects of the drug, including:

1. Seizures or convulsions
2. Anxiety
3. Mood changes
4. Kidney failure

 

The decreasing popularity of Demerol among physicians in the U.S. has, however, led to a 16% drop in the number of American emergency room visits caused by Demerol between 1997 and 2002, according to the Drug Abuse Warning Network. In contrast, the number of oxycodone-caused visits during the same period rose by more than 300%.

What are the risks of Demerol addiction during pregnancy?

Demerol is approved for pain control during labor and delivery, but aside from those specific circumstances, its use should be completely avoided by expectant mothers. Demerol is a narcotic, and chronic use of the drug during pregnancy could cause narcotic withdrawal symptoms in the infant after delivery.

Demerol is classified by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration as a Category C medication — medicines in that category should only given to pregnant women if the healthcare provider believes that the benefits to the woman outweigh any possible risks to the unborn child.

Why is Demerol addiction so hard to overcome?

Demerol is, simply put, an addictive substance. In a hospital setting, Demerol can be used safely because physicians are on-site to reduce or eliminate the Demerol dosage when it’s no longer necessary. But those who take Demerol tablets at home often have trouble quitting because of the difficult withdrawal symptoms experienced by long-term users who stop, which include:

1. Vomiting
2. Diarrhea
3. Restlessness
4. Insomnia
5. Muscle and bone pain

Where can people get Demerol abuse treatment?

With help from the high-quality drug rehab facilities in our treatment network, Demerol addiction can be beaten. Our substance abuse rehab centers offer around-the-clock medical care that can reduce, or even eliminate uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms during the opiate detox period.

But opioid addiction treatment is about more than minimizing withdrawal symptoms. The holistic drug rehab approach within many of our treatment programs pays attention to all of the emotional and spiritual needs of clients — effectively treating mind, body, and soul.

Take this opportunity to make a change. Call American Addiction Centers today at.

No matter your insurance, be it Cigna, Aetna, Humana, Blue Cross / Blue Shield (BCBS), Assurant, Unicare, United Health Care, Anthem, Carefirst, Asuris Northwest Health, Golden Rule, Celtic Insurance, Fortis, Health Net, Kaiser, Vista, Shelter, Wellpoint, Tri Care, Accordia or even Medicare, and state insurance — we can help you find Demerol addiction treatment. We also offer many affordable self pay options as well as luxury Demerol rehab.

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