You’ve been experiencing some mild pain, so you pick up an over-the-counter medication at your local pharmacy or grocery store. Are there any dangers you should be aware of when taking these meds? For example, can you get addicted to ibuprofen?
What is Ibuprofen?
Ibuprofen is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug, or NSAID. Drugs in this category are commonly used to treat mild to moderate pain, fever, and inflammation.
Developed in the early 1960s as part of an effort to find new ways to treat rheumatoid arthritis, ibuprofen can also help people who have been experiencing:
- Migraine
- Menstrual pain
- Strained muscles
- Discomfort due to colds and flu
- Postoperative pain
- Osteoarthritis
- Fever
- Pericarditis (swelling of the heart lining)
In the U.S., ibuprofen is one of the primary active ingredients in several brand-name over-the-counter (OTC) medications, including Advil, Midol, and Motrin. These meds are usually sold as 200mg tablets.
Higher dosages of ibuprofen (including 400mg, 600mg, and 800mg tablets) may require a prescription.
Can You Really Get Addicted to Ibuprofen?
Since there are so few restrictions on OTC medications, this seems to imply that they are safe. Is this true, or can you get addicted to ibuprofen?
Most people who use ibuprofen do so safely, with few side effects and no long-term harm. But this doesn’t mean that this drug is always safe, or that it never poses risks to anyone who uses is.
In other words, ibuprofen addiction is rare, but it is possible.
As established in the fifth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), the symptoms of addiction include:
- Spending considerable amounts of time using a substance
- Developing tolerance, or needing to use more of the substance to achieve the effects that you could previously experience via smaller doses
- Using the substance more frequently, in larger amounts, or for a longer period than you intended
- Continuing to use the substance after incurring some form of harm as a result of prior use
- Becoming agitated or irritated when you can’t use the substance
- Experiencing cravings and other withdrawal symptoms when you abruptly end your use of the substance, or when you’re prevented from using it for a certain period
- Wanting to stop using the substance, but being unable to do so
So, can you get addicted to ibuprofen? As we noted earlier, developing these types of symptoms after using ibuprofen or other NSAIDs isn’t common, but it does occur. And if you do become dependent on ibuprofen, you may need professional help to stop using it.
Dangers of Ibuprofen Addiction
In addition to being a problem on its own, ibuprofen addiction can also expose you to a variety of other dangers. The compulsive use of this medication, which can involve taking larger doses than advised or taking it more often than directed, can lead to problems such as:
- Damage to the liver and kidneys
- Blurred vision
- Tinnitus (ringing in the ears)
- Abdominal pain
- Nausea and vomiting
- Excessive urination
- Yellowing of the skin (jaundice)
- Bleeding in the stomach
- Increased risk of heart attack and stroke
It is also possible to overdose on ibuprofen, which can be fatal. Signs of ibuprofen overdose can include:
- Extreme confusion and disorientation
- Severe abdominal pain
- Vomiting blood
- Faint or shallow breathing
- Loss of consciousness
- Seizure
- Coma
Anyone who exhibits these signs after taking a large amount of ibuprofen – or after combining ibuprofen with alcohol or other drugs – should get immediate medical help. If you are with someone who overdoses on ibuprofen, call 911 or otherwise summon an emergency first responder.
Withdrawal Symptoms of Ibuprofen Abuse
If you become addicted to ibuprofen, and then suddenly stop using it, you may develop withdrawal symptoms such as:
- Headaches
- Nausea and vomiting
- Anxiety
- Insomnia
Also, if you had been taking ibuprofen to alleviate pain, swelling, or inflammation, these symptoms may return when you end your use of the medication.
Though these symptoms are not nearly as painful as what occurs during alcohol or opioid withdrawal, they can still be sources of considerable distress.
The best way to stop using ibuprofen is to slowly taper your use. However, if you have become addicted to the medication, it may be quite difficult to do this on your own. In this circumstance, professional care may be the best option.
How to Safely Overcome Ibuprofen Addiction
Treatment for the compulsive use of ibuprofen or other NSAIDs can involve several forms of therapy, such as:
- Individual, group, and family therapy
- Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)
- Dialectical behavior therapy
- EMDR and other types of trauma therapy
- Neurofeedback therapy
- Holistic therapy
During therapy sessions, you can begin to:
- Understand why your ibuprofen use progressed to abuse and then addiction
- Identify your triggers, which are circumstances that could push you back into active ibuprofen abuse
- Develop alternative ways to ease the symptoms that you originally tried to treat with ibuprofen
- Learn how to manage drug cravings, alleviate stress, and resolve conflicts – all of which could threaten to undermine your recovery if not properly dealt with
Contact Renewal Health Group to Safely Withdrawal and Begin Your Recovery
If you have been unable to stop using ibuprofen or another NSAID, Renewal Health Group is here to help.
Our addiction treatment centers in the Los Angeles area offer a full continuum of individualized care, including detoxification, residential treatment, a partial hospitalization program (PHP), an intensive outpatient program (IOP), and outpatient treatment.
In each of these programs, you can expect to receive customized services and close personal support from a team of compassionate professionals. We understand the many ways that addiction can disrupt a person’s life, and we are committed to helping you find your path toward a much healthier and more hopeful future.
To learn more or to schedule a free assessment, please visit our Contact page or call us today.
