Painkiller withdrawal symptoms ‘similar to heroin’

Packets of Nurofen Plus are being consumed daily by an increasing number of people addicted to painkillers, according to the clinical director of the country’s largest private addiction rehabilitation clinic, who says withdrawal symptoms for Nurofen Plus are similar to what heroin addicts experience.

Fiona Weldon, clinical director of the Rutland Centre, said they had seen a 6% rise in the number of people seeking treatment for difficulties with pain medication in recent years.

“Five years ago, about 1% of our clients were being treated for addiction to pain medication. Now, that figure is closer to 7%,” Dr Weldon said.