Find Support for Pentazocine Addiction

Pentazocine is an opiate-based painkiller typically prescribed for people with moderate to severe pain. As is the case with other opiates, Pentazocine is addictive and dangerous if misused for longer or more than prescribed.

What is Pentazocine?

Pentazocine is a strong painkiller from a class of medications called opiate (narcotic) analgesics. Like other opiates, it works by interacting with opioid receptors changing how the brain and nervous system respond to pain signals from the body.

It is not as commonly used or well-known as other opiate painkillers such as codeine or morphine. However, it can still be a problem, especially if misused by people taking more than directed or using the drug recreationally.

The drug was previously sold under the brand name Talwin, among others. Some people found that it gave a euphoric effect like heroin when crushed together with a blue antihistamine called tripelennamine and injected intravenously. This combination, known as ‘T’s and Blues, became a popular alternative to heroin.

The drug was later reformulated to remove the euphoric effect while retaining the painkilling effects when taken orally as directed.

Is Pentazocine Addictive?

The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE), which guides healthcare providers in the UK, confirms that pentazocine is an addictive prescription drug.

It states, “Prolonged use of opioid analgesics may lead to drug dependence and addiction, even at therapeutic doses. There is an increased risk in individuals with current or history of substance use disorder or mental health disorders.”

The issue of opioids being addictive even at therapeutic doses is important to highlight; people can become addicted to prescription drugs even when using them as directed by their doctor.

When misused, such as using Pentazocine above the directed dose, duration, or using the drug unprescribed, the risk of Pentazocine addiction is high and may require addiction treatment to overcome. As an opiate, pentazocine can lead to physical dependency, meaning your system gets to rely on the drug being present over time, which can result in physical and psychological pentazocine withdrawal symptoms when the drug is suddenly removed.

Users can also develop a psychological dependency on the drug’s painkilling effects and other side effects like drowsiness and a sense of relaxation.

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Side Effects of Pentazocine Abuse

Pentazocine can cause a number of different side effects including, but not limited to:

  • Tiredness
  • Mood swings
  • Headache
  • Stomach pain, nausea and vomiting
  • Constipation
  • Rashes
  • Difficulty urinating
  • Erectile dysfunction
  • Irregular menstruation
  • Agitation and hallucinations
  • Fever, sweating
  • Confusion
  • Muscle stiffness or twitching

Some particularly dangerous side effects include difficulty breathing and irregular heartbeat, and you should consult a doctor if you experience any side effects.

It’s worth noting that some of these pentazocine side effects can affect anyone who uses the drug, even if it is legitimately prescribed and used as directed. Misusing the drug could increase your risk of experiencing more harmful side effects.

It is possible to overdose on pentazocine as the drug can slow your breathing; it can be very dangerous when used simultaneously with other substances that can have this effect, including alcohol, other opiates, and many sedatives, sleeping pills, and tranquillizers.

If your breathing slows too much, it could lead to unconsciousness, coma, and even death. If you feel like you have developed an addiction, consider pentazocine addiction treatment and rehab at a reputable facility.

Pentazocine Detox Treatment

When someone regularly uses opioid drugs, their brain must work harder to release the right amount of noradrenaline, a chemical which increases the heart rate and speeds up breathing. When a person quits the drug, the brain works hard and can produce too much noradrenaline. This is a major cause of withdrawal symptoms.

Early opioid withdrawal symptoms, which typically start shortly after the effects of the drug wear off, include strong cravings, anxiety, and the start of physical symptoms that get progressively worse. These could start to peak sometime between 24-72 hours after using and could include:

  • Nausea and diarrhoea
  • Rapid heartbeat
  • Increased blood pressure
  • Insomnia
  • Highs and lows in temperature
  • Sweating
  • Flu-like symptoms

For most people, these physical symptoms should gradually decrease over a week, but they can persist for longer. Psychological symptoms and cravings can also persist for a long time. Government guidance on supporting detoxification says the whole process usually lasts up to 28 days as an inpatient or 12 weeks as an outpatient.

As some of these withdrawal symptoms are very challenging and potentially dangerous, it is always best to undergo a drug detox in a supervised setting like Pentazocine rehab. Here you will be under direct medical supervision and may be given prescription medications, including opioid substitutes, to help control the cravings and withdrawal symptoms.

Government guidance also says that relapse prevention and further treatments are essential during and beyond detoxification – which is why we recommend private drug and alcohol rehabs to help you curb the addiction with our support.

What Happens at Pentazocine Rehab?

With residential rehab, you stay on the premises throughout the course of your treatment programme. This has several benefits.

Firstly, you will be in a safe, comfortable environment away from your usual triggers and without access to illicit drugs. This is done mainly through psychological and talking therapies such as group therapy, 1:1 counselling and cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT).

Along with learning strategies to avoid relapse and a comprehensive aftercare programme, this can give you all the tools you need to make a full and lasting recovery from your addiction.

To overcome Pentazocine addiction, speak to our team on 01908 489 421 or fill out our contact form today to discuss Pentazocine addiction treatment and rehab.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a typical day in rehab look like?

A typical day in rehab sees those in treatment complete one-to-one therapies, such as cognitive behavioural therapy, and group therapy, such as drama therapy. To ensure that those in treatment also have the opportunity to participate in various activities outside of their treatment, here at Asana Lodge, we host social activities, such as exercise, group walks and quiz nights.

What do I need to bring to drug and alcohol rehab?

We recommend that you bring causal clothes as well as money in case you need to buy anything during your stay with us at inpatient rehab. We provide all toiletries such as shampoo and shower gels, in addition to towels, bed linen, and bathrobes. You’re welcome to bring your own toiletries; however, mouthwash has to be strictly alcohol-free. We also allow electronic devices such as mobile phones, laptops, and tablets as we have free Wi-Fi available.

Is it safe to detox at home?

In short, no it is not safe to detox at home. Detoxification can present a whole host of negative side-effects for a person, so to do so without professional medical aid can result in very negative outcomes and even potentially lead to death. It should also be noted that most people who try to detox on their own end up relapsing due to the severity of the withdrawal side-effects. However, each time that you relapse, the withdrawal side-effects can be even worse the next time. Therefore, it is not only safer to experience withdrawal at our detox clinic, but it will also put you in better stead going forward.


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John Gillen - Author - Last Updated: 20 June 2023

John has travelled extensively around the world, culminating in 19 years’ experience looking at different models. He is the European pioneer of Nad+ (Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide) treatment to Europe in 2010; and recently back from the USA bringing state of the art Virtual Reality Relapse Prevention and stress reduction therapy. his passion extends to other metabolic disturbances and neurodegenerative diseases.

The journey continues, in recent times john has travelled to Russia to study and research into a new therapy photobiomudulation or systemic laser therapy working with Nad+ scientists and the very best of the medical profession in the UK and the USA, together with Nadcell, Bionad Clinics own select Doctors, nurses, dieticians and therapists, Johns’ passion continues to endeavour to bring to the UK and Europe new developments with Nad+ therapy in preventive and restorative medicine and Wellness. In 2017 John Gillen was made a visiting Professor at the John Naisbitt university in Belgrade Serbia.