Is there such a thing as painkiller (panadol) addiction?!

Best Answer - Chosen by Voters

You can become addicted to anything but paracetamol itself is not physiologically addictive. That means that he is psychologically addicted to the drug. Parecetamol is primarily an analgisic (a pain killer) and an antipyrexic (reduces body temperature).

The way the addiction works is that he likely took it one time and felt better soon after. That may have been because it reduced pain/discomfort, was coicidence or acted as a placebo. His mind told him that paracetemol makes him feel better. Now he takes it to ward off anxiety. He would become anxious if he does not take them. So basically the addictive factor is his need to reduce anxiety. Taking parecetamol reduces his anxiety (even though it is not an anxiolytic).

He is taking too many for his constitution. Long term it could damage his vital organs, especially his liver.

Professional Experience

It might be a habit but it it is not an addiction per se as paracetamol has none of the features of a drug of addiction. Exceeding 8 a day or 2 at a time is potentially dangerous as they are hepatotoxic, (to the liver.)

GP for more years than I care to remember