Ibuprofen is the active ingredient in many over-the-counter pain medications. Like all other chemical substances, ibuprofen does have some potential for abuse – though it is not habit-forming, and never considered dangerous when taken exactly as intended. Ibuprofen might be prescribed by a medical professional in very high doses to treat significant pain. This is an ideal option when it comes to treating pain in men and women who have struggled with opioid abuse in the past and cannot safely take opioid narcotic painkillers. The drug itself is classified as a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory, also known as an NSAID.
Ibuprofen Is Not a Mood or Mind-Altering Substance
Some of the health conditions that ibuprofen is frequently used to treat include mild pain (and moderate pain in some cases), chronic conditions like rheumatoid arthritis, fever and aches and pains that result from the common cold or flu, and common inflammation (which can be caused by a variety of things). While taking ibuprofen orally in a pill or tablet form is the most common way to consume the medication, it can also be taken in a powdered form, a liquid form, or as a suppository. If a person abuses ibuprofen by taking more than the recommended dose, he or she runs the risk of experiencing a serious health-related complication – the most severe being drug-related overdose. 
Side Effects of Excessive Ibuprofen Use
Damage to the physical body can occur quickly and without warning. The issue is that ibuprofen abuse is often very difficult to detect because there are not many signs or symptoms associated with excessive use other than the long-term side effects. Additionally, ibuprofen abuse is most common among adolescents and teenagers, seeing as the medication is readily accessible, affordable, and found in most household medicine cabinets. Adolescents might take excessive amounts of this medication in an attempt to achieve some sort of high, but they often simply end up doing severe damage to their physical bodies instead.
You Will Overdose Trying to Get High on Ibuprofen
Can anyone get high on ibuprofen if it is taken in high doses? No – on its own, ibuprofen will not produce a high. However, the medication is commonly combined with other chemical substances – which ultimately makes it more dangerous. The most common long-term side effects of excessive ibuprofen abuse include:
- Heart problems including an increased risk of heart attack
- Permanent liver damage
- Permanent kidney damage
- Bleeding of the bowels and stomach lining
Overdosing on Ibuprofen is Possible
If someone attempts to take more ibuprofen than is recommended to achieve some sort of high, he or she will be sorely disappointed. Consuming an excessive amount of this over-the-counter pain reliever is more likely to result in a life-threatening overdose than a high of any kind. Some symptoms of ibuprofen-related overdose include:
- Extreme confusion
- Disorientation
- Extreme anxiety
- Paranoia
- A decrease in red blood cells, also known as anemia
- Kidney problems
- Liver problems
- Swelling of the face and appendages resulting from an allergic reaction
- Vomiting and diarrhea (both might appear black)
- Seizures
- Coma
- Death
Many side effects go hand-in-hand with long-term opioid abuse. If you or someone you know has been misusing ibuprofen in any capacity, seeking professional help is necessary.
Evoke Wellness and Addiction Recovery
In many cases, an individual who has been abusing an OTC medication like ibuprofen is also abusing other chemical substances – like opioids or alcohol – at the same time. If you know someone who has been combining ibuprofen and addictive drugs, seeking professional help is of the utmost importance. Upon admission to our treatment program, we ask each client a series of health-related questions to determine which treatment methods are going to be the most useful. If it is determined that one of our clients was using excessive amounts of ibuprofen in the past we will avoid using this medication to avoid doing permanent damage to the kidneys or liver. No matter what your personal needs, we are available to help. For more information on our individualized program of drug addiction recovery, call Evoke Wellness today for more information.
