The Effects of Painkillers on the Brain and Body

Drug abuse of painkillers can cause harmful effects on the brain and body of the person using the substance.

Painkillers can refer to a number of both over-the-counter ( O T C), prescription and illicit drugs, but more often than not related to narcotic painkillers like Percocet, Oxy Contin and heroin.

It is these narcotic painkillers that carry the highest risk of dependency and addiction.

Whether a painkiller is prescribed by a doctor or acquired on the street, these drugs can cause serious changes to the brain and body of the user.

Although some damage can occur with short-term drug use, the most extreme or dangerous changes to the brain and body typically occur with long-term use and abuse of painkillers.

Long-term use also increases the possibility of addiction and physical dependency on the drugs.

After a while, users need these drugs just to keep away physical withdrawal symptoms and to physically feel normal.

Painkillers are the second most abuse substances in the United States, ranking behind only marijuana use.