Demerol is not as widely known by the general public compared to other opioids, but it nonetheless carries a huge potential for abuse and addiction. Sometimes known as “the doctors’ and nurses’ addiction”, due to a study that found high addiction rates among healthcare workers, Demerol use requires a careful approach from both prescribing physicians and patients. Demerol abuse can be incredibly dangerous and potentially even deadly, and if addiction does take hold, those affected must be given access to comprehensive support before, during and after treatment.
What is Demerol?
Meperidine or Pethidine, commonly sold under the brand name Demerol, is an opioid analgesic medication used to relieve pain in patients suffering from moderate to severe pain, usually when other medications have proven ineffective. It is mostly used for the treatment of sudden episodes of average to acute pain, such as labour pain, post-surgery pain or pain from a serious injury. Demerol is administered either orally, via intravenous therapy or by intramuscular administration, with similar effects to those of morphine.
The effects of Demerol begin relatively quickly, especially when administered intravenously, making it useful for acute pain relief. However, its duration of action is shorter than many other opioids, often necessitating more frequent dosing to manage pain effectively.
Demerol is a Class A in the UK, meaning that it is highly controlled with a strong potential for abuse. It cannot be legally obtained without a prescription and is to be used for legitimate medicinal purposes only.
How does Demerol work?
Demerol works through its action on the central nervous system (CNS), which comprises the brain and spinal cord. This is how the mechanism functions on a biological level:
Why is Demerol abused?
Demerol is usually abused for its euphoric effects, which give the user feelings of serenity and euphoria, usually accompanied by prolonged sedation. Users may consume the drug by chewing the tablets, crushing them and snorting the powder or mixing it with liquids to inject.
The number of people abusing prescription opioids such as Demerol has skyrocketed over the years. This is partly due to a misconception that prescription opioids are not as hazardous as street drugs like heroin. However, the reality is that prescription drugs can be just as dangerous and, as has been seen in the US Opioid Crisis, can cause far more deaths than even illicit substances.
What is Demerol addiction, and how does it develop?
A person usually becomes addicted to Demerol when they start abusing or misusing the drug frequently and become physically and psychologically dependent on the drug. When they reach this stage, Demerol addiction affects every aspect of their lives, but they keep taking the drug despite the negative consequences.
Both recreational abuse and prescription use are common routes to addiction, with many patients who were prescribed the drug for legitimate purposes not even realising that they are becoming addicted. For both groups of people, frequent use of Demerol creates a tolerance where they need to increase the dose for the same pain-relieving or pleasurable effects.
This results in a huge amount of Demerol being present at all times in their system, so their body becomes dependent on it. Dependence is a physiological state where the body adjusts to the presence of the drug and requires it to function normally. When a dependent person stops taking Demerol, they experience withdrawal symptoms as their body tries to adjust to its absence. These can include:
- Hallucinations
- Nausea
- Insomnia
- Running nose and eyes
- Paranoia
- Anxiety
- Agitation
- Vomiting
- Restlessness
- Sweating
- Dry mouth
- High blood pressure
- Loss of breath
- Muscle pains
- Powerful cravings
Alongside the physical dependence, some people will also develop a psychological dependence on Demerol, and it is this multifaceted dependency that defines Demerol addiction.
Demerol addiction symptoms
Recognising Demerol addiction symptoms and signs is the first step in seeking help and treatment. Addiction symptoms can vary between individuals, but several common indicators may suggest a person is struggling with Demerol addiction:
- Drug-seeking behaviours
- Falling asleep in inappropriate situations or appearing in a daze
- Forging prescriptions or “doctor shopping” for Demerol
- Craving the drug when it is unavailable
- Lying about the amount of Demerol consumed
- Stealing or borrowing money from friends and loved ones to pay for Demerol
- Engaging in crime to fund Demerol use
- Stashing Demerol at home, work or in the car for easy availability
- Withdrawing from previously pleasurable activities
- Neglecting responsibilities at work and home in favour of doing Demerol
Contributing factors to the development of Demerol addiction
The development of addiction to Demerol, like other opioid addictions, is influenced by a complex interplay of various factors. Understanding these factors is key to both preventing and treating Demerol addiction effectively. Here are some of the main contributing factors:
Genetic predisposition
Genetics can play a significant role in an individual’s susceptibility to addiction. In essence, this means that those with a family history of substance abuse are at a higher risk of having similar issues themselves.
Psychological factors
Mental health disorders such as depression, anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) can greatly increase the risk of addiction as individuals may use Demerol as a way to self-medicate and relieve psychological distress.
Environmental influences
A person’s environment, including their family life, social circles, and community, can greatly impact the likelihood of developing an addiction. For example, exposure to substance abuse at a young age, peer pressure or living in areas with high drug availability can all be contributing factors. Similarly, easy access to Demerol, as in the case of healthcare workers, can also increase the risk of abuse and addiction.
Chronic pain and prescription use
Patients prescribed Demerol for chronic pain management are also at higher risk as the drug can be quickly habit-forming. This is especially true if there is inadequate monitoring and follow-up before and after prescription.
Method of Demerol administration
The risk of Demerol addiction increases with certain methods of administration that provide a more intense and rapid onset of effects, such as injecting or snorting.
Stress and coping mechanisms
Individuals under significant stress without effective coping mechanisms may turn to substances like Demerol for relief.
The dangers of Demerol addiction and abuse
Demerol abuse and addiction pose significant dangers, similar to those associated with other opioid drugs, but with some unique risks due to the drug’s specific properties. These include:
Demerol addiction treatment
Effective Demerol addiction treatment requires a multi-stage approach incorporating detox, rehab therapy and relapse prevention. In the UK, treatment is available on either an inpatient basis or outpatient basis.
Demerol detox and managed withdrawal
This is the first step in the treatment plan for Demerol addiction, where Demerol toxins are detoxed from the body, and physical dependence is broken. As Demerol withdrawal can be potentially dangerous, it involves constant monitoring to ensure the process is as safe and comfortable as possible. Like all opioids, abrupt cessation of Demerol carries huge health risks, so Demerol detox usually involves gradual tapering and potentially opioid replacement therapy.
Demerol rehab therapy
Demerol rehab programmes combine various forms of therapy to address the contributing psychological causes of addiction. These include:
- Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT): CBT works by helping individuals overcome the problematic thoughts and feelings that have pushed them toward addiction. It is used in treating various substance use disorders, including Demerol addiction, and can be a highly effective way of disrupting chronic behaviour patterns and negative emotional reactions.
- 12-step programme: The 12 steps have long been acknowledged as the benchmark for recovery from almost any type of substance use disorder. It is among the oldest treatment programmes and was developed for overcoming alcohol addiction. Individuals will usually complete the first few steps during rehab and then continue the programme in aftercare and support groups like Narcotics Anonymous (NA).
- Individual therapy: Individual therapy involves private sessions between the individual and their personal therapist. It allows the therapist to find out what triggers activate their Demerol addiction and allows for targeted support and guidance.
- Group therapy: Group therapy enables individuals in recovery to learn from each other. It helps teach them new coping techniques, raises their confidence levels and helps them form sincere friendships with their recovery peers.
- Family therapy: Family therapy for Demerol addiction involves counselling family members and educating them on how to prevent their loved one from relapsing. This can help to repair the damage caused by addiction and help guide loved ones through the recovery process.
Relapse prevention and aftercare
The final stage of Demerol addiction treatment focuses on preventing relapse and maintaining long-term sobriety. This may include continued participation in support groups, ongoing therapy through aftercare, lifestyle adjustments and developing healthy coping strategies. These strategies are particularly important in the weeks and months after completing Demerol detox and therapy, as transitioning back to everyday life can present huge challenges.
Get help for Demerol addiction today
Recovery from Demerol addiction can be a difficult journey, but the sooner you take the first step, the sooner you can begin to plan the rest of your life. Reach out to a specialist addiction treatment centre or make an appointment with your GP to discuss treatment options. While seeking help can be daunting, it may be your most important decision.
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