By HTE Founder, Erin Hughes
Until I experienced it myself, I don’t think I would have realised just how easy it is to fall into the trap. Honestly, I can’t pinpoint the exact moment it started for me because it was something that built up gradually over time; a reliance, and somewhat addiction to prescription pain relief medication.
When I was younger (before I had kids), I always suffered from terrible migraines, the kind that would leave me completely debilitated. I used to have to go to the doctor for an injection of Phenergan just to get through it. It knocked me out so I wouldn’t feel the pain.
In my early 20s, a doctor prescribed Panadeine Forte for my migraines. And it worked. It managed the pain. It was simply incredible. So for years, I always had some at home in case of an emergency migraine. That was all it was at the time – no issue, no overuse. I never even considered taking it unnecessarily.
Fast forward to my early-to-mid 30s and I had three kids under four. Life was hectic. All my children were delivered via C-section, and as anyone who has had a C-Section too knows, you’re always given post-op pain relief – and often pretty heavy duty pain relief, from Tramadol, to Endone and Panadeine Forte – all of which are opioids.
“This, I believe, is where my issues with prescription pain relief started.”
These medications gave me a feeling that I hadn’t felt before, like I was floating on clouds. It was when I realised this feeling of euphoria that I was experiencing from the medication, that I then found myself looking forward to taking pain relief. For someone who had once feared general anaesthesia (with a fear of not waking up), I now loved the feeling of drifting off to sleep and waking up light and calm.
Because I always had a prescription for Panadeine Forte due to my migraines, I had easy access to it. I found myself anticipating when I could take the medication – not just for pain, but for the calm and relaxation it brought. Some people unwind with a glass of wine at night. That was never my thing – alcohol just led to insomnia. But taking the medication? That became my way of getting through the hard, chaotic times and ensuring I could sleep.
It wasn’t until last year that I fully realised just how much I had come to rely on this medication as a coping mechanism. And while these issues started after having kids, my children weren’t the cause – it was how I coped with stress and challenging times. I constantly felt overwhelmed and unable to sit still, always finding things to keep myself busy because being busy was easier than being still.
Since becoming a mum, the hours between 4:30 pm and 7:30 pm have always been the hardest part of my day. Everyone’s exhausted, there’s always something to be done, and the whining and fighting hit their peak. This was when I’d feel the need to take something (around 6 pm) to stay calm, feel lighter, and make sure I could sleep later.
The other addictive element? The habit itself. Just the act of taking something became a psychological comfort. The thought of lying in bed, battling restlessness for hours, was terrifying to me.
After realising this had become a problem, an actual addiction – I knew I needed to address it. I refused to be held hostage by this reliance. For the most part, I’m a fit, active, health-conscious person. Knowing I was doing something so contradictory to that was frightening.
But the realisation itself was so confronting. Yes, I had formed an addiction. But I wasn’t taking the medication daily – just often enough for it to be a problem. It wasn’t an emergency health crisis, but I knew it was something I needed to change.
Admitting I had an issue was the hardest part. But knowing I had the power to change? That was empowering. I spoke to my GP first. Together, we worked out a plan. I then met with a psychiatrist to talk through everything and review my medication. That was another confronting process, but it helped me understand that I was using the medication as an escape.
That was my lightbulb moment. It wasn’t the floating feeling I craved – it was a calmer, more centred version of myself. And that was something I needed to work on from within, without using prescription medication.
I’m still on this journey – in some ways, I feel like I’m only just beginning. But here’s what I’m focusing on to help me move forward (with the help of both health professionals and my village):
- Meditation – Even just a few minutes a day to centre myself. My aim is to quieten my mind, find stillness, a sense of calm and to just “be”.
- Regular counselling – Dedicated time to talk things through with a professional. This is so important and will continue to be for a long time to come to ensure I feel supported and can better understand why I fell into this addiction, my triggers, and how to create healthier ways to manage.
- Creating boundaries – Protecting my stress levels and energy is so important to esure I don’t fall back into bad habits.
- Simplifying life – Keeping things as calm as possible – I know, much easier said than done (believe me, with four kids!), but trying to prioritise this is so important.
- Gratitude and appreciation – Shifting my mindset towards the good. Life often feels so overwhelming, things flying by at a ridiculous speed, so I’m trying to slow down, be grateful for the small things, and appreciate what I have.
This journey is tough. There are really hard days, and there will continue to be hard days. But support is everything. Having a team of experts, plus incredible family and friends, is key to making positive changes and moving forward.
The scariest part? That this is not an uncommon story. My reliance on prescription medication happened so easily, without me even really noticing at first. It also made me realise, you never truly know who might be struggling with something like this.
Talking, seeking help, and reaching out for support – these are the steps that make the difference. If you’re struggling, you are not alone. One day at a time.
I’ll be sharing more of this journey as I go, in the hope it helps someone else who might be dealing with the same thing.
Please, if you or someone you know is struggling, seek help and support – speak to a GP, a specialist, or even a loved one. Spreading awareness about issues like this can truly help turn someone’s life around.
If you or anyone you know needs help please see below for resources:
National Alcohol and Other Drug Hotline (1800 250 015)
