Demerol: Symptoms and Warning Signs

Out of the 20.5 million Americans that had a substance addiction in 2015, nearly 2 million involved prescription painkillers.

Opioid abuse has become a widespread epidemic in America.

Demerol is a popular prescription pain reliever.

Symptoms of Addiction to Demerol

Demerol is a prescription opioid that relieves moderate to severe pain. It’s used for sudden bouts of pain and is similar to morphine. It works by changing the way your body reacts to pain.

This drug may be given for childbirth and labor pain. It’s also given to patients who have heart attacks, cancer, and other conditions where they need to manage pain.

Demerol gives users a feeling of euphoria and giddiness.

Physical symptoms of Demerol addiction include:

Constricted pupils
Dry mouth
Breathing trouble
Nausea
Sweating
Fatigue and exhaustion
Confusion and disorientation
Problems with kidneys or liver
Constipation
State of sedation
Heart attack or stroke
Coma or death

There are also psychological symptoms of Demerol addiction. A user may have depression. They may also have delusions and hallucinations.

An addict might have psychosis from the effects of Demerol. Their mood may change abruptly, ranging from agitation and irritability to anxious and depressed.

Over time, someone addicted to Demerol will develop a tolerance to the drug. They end up needing more of the drug to achieve a high.

The more Demerol they take, the more they develop a dependence. They’re also at risk for severe health problems.

Warning Signs a Loved One May Be Abusing Demerol

There are behavioral signs that you may notice if your loved one is addicted to Demerol.

These warning signs include:

Randomly nod off or have unusual sleeping patterns
Withdraw from social activities and other daily activities
Go to different doctors to get a Demerol prescription
Steal other people’s prescriptions
Do anything to seek more of the drug
Increase the dosage of the drug

You may notice other strange behaviors related to Demerol use. An addict may lie about the amount they’ve taken. They also may seem desperate to get another dosage.

Your loved one may also neglect their responsibilities.

Is My Child Using Demerol?

Do you have reason to believe your child is abusing Demerol? Some teens use Demerol or other opioids as a relief from stress or boredom. They may also use Demerol to enter a relaxed and giddy state at a party.

Be aware of the above Demerol symptoms and warning signs.

Does your child exhibit any of these signs? Do they have extreme mood swings and moments of agitation? Do they appear physically agitated and upset?

According to the CDC, nearly 2 in 10 high school seniors have used prescription medication without a prescription. The earlier that adolescents abuse drugs, the higher the risk of having a substance abuse problem when they’re older.

Is My Parent Using Demerol?

Does your parent have a Demerol addiction? People who have a Demerol addiction or other opioid addiction are more likely to have other mental and substance abuse issues.

Do you feel that your parent becomes defensive when you bring up their Demerol use? Do they isolate themselves from family to hide their prescription drug abuse?

If a person already developed a dependence on Demerol, they will have to go through withdrawal symptoms when they stop.

Withdrawal symptoms occur when a user’s body becomes used to the drug. The severity of the symptoms depends on the user and how long they’ve been taking the drug.

Symptoms of withdrawal include:

Agitation
Nausea and vomiting
Anxiety and paranoia
Aches
Hallucinations

Intervention for Demerol Abuse

If your child, parent, or loved one has a Demerol addiction, you can help by staging an intervention.

An intervention can be a stressful, emotionally-loaded event. Your loved one may react with anger. It’s helpful to hire an intervention specialist.

A specialist can help you assemble an intervention team. These people should be close to your loved one and have a strong bond with them. The specialist can also help you with what to say.

You should plan what you will say and write it down. When it comes time for the intervention, stick to your speech. Explain to your loved one how their addiction has negatively affected their life and your life.

Keep your emotions calm and focus on saying your part. Make sure your loved one knows that you’re here for them, and you’re doing this out of love, not to make them feel bad.

The goal is to get your loved one to recognize their behavior and seek help. You can find a rehab center and offer them that option.

Choose the right location and time when your loved one is sober. You can choose a neutral location such as the intervention specialist’s office.

It helps to have a backup plan in case the addict refuses to accept help. You can plan to stage another intervention in the future. Don’t give up.

If the addict does accept help, remember that this is just the first step of their recovery.