Last updated : December 16, 2024
Addiction to prescription painkillers is on the rise, and can unfortunately happen to nearly anyone. Those who become addicted may offer excuses or deny they have a problem; however, here are some telltale signs that indicate there is a problem.
#1: Medication is not being taken as prescribed
A person who is addicted to painkillers may take more than the recommended amount, or might take medication more often than they are supposed to. They may also try to “stretch” their doses by lengthening the amount of time between them in order to have more medication to take later.
#2: Obtaining painkillers from other sources
Those who are addicted may complain their dosage is inadequate, and begin seeking painkillers from alternate sources. They may purchase other people’s prescriptions, or buy pills from dealers on the street. Some will even go as far as to steal or forge prescription pads so that they can write their own prescription for certain medications. Others may take large doses of over-the-counter pain medications to supplement what they have been prescribed by their doctor.
#3: Doctor shopping
Individuals sometimes visit more than one doctor in order to obtain more prescriptions. When doing so, they are unlikely to tell their new physician that another one has previously prescribed them painkillers. They may intentionally seek out doctors that are known to operate “pill mills”. Some people will even hurt themselves or fake injuries to visit an emergency room and obtain more medication.
#4: Painkillers consume a great deal of thought
Individuals addicted to painkillers may spend a great deal of time thinking about their medication and contemplating their next dosage. It can be difficult to know what someone is thinking; however, if a person talks about painkillers or frequently watches the clock to know when the next dose is scheduled, chances are he or she is addicted.
#5: Changes in personal moods and habits
Addicts sometimes neglect to care for themselves properly, and may allow their personal hygiene to suffer as a result. There may be a lack of interest in activities they previously enjoyed, or they may experience extreme mood swings or become angry easily.
#6: Sleeping a great deal more than usual
Those who are addicted to prescriptions containing morphine or codeine often tend to sleep much more than normal. Even when they are not sleeping, they may lock themselves inside a dark bedroom and refuse to come out. In extreme cases, this can lead to absenteeism or a reduction of social interaction as well.
#7: Use has continued for an extended period
In most cases, painkillers should only be used for a relatively short period of time. If their use has continued much longer than originally anticipated, this could indicate an individual has developed a tolerance to medication that makes it impossible for him or her to function properly without it.
#8: Becoming angry when the subject of addiction is mentioned
When questioned about their habit, many painkiller addicts will become defensive and lash out angrily towards their accuser. If someone responds angrily when the subject of painkiller addiction comes up, chances are that person does indeed have a problem.
The presence of one or more of these symptoms could signify that an individual is suffering from prescription painkiller addiction. This type of addiction is difficult to beat alone, which is why anyone afflicted by such as addiction should seek professional treatment.
