Last updated : November 18, 2024
Painkillers are used by millions of people as a way of achieving much needed relief from discomfort and pain. Unfortunately, some of the most commonly prescribed drugs, like Percocet and OxyContin, are also some of the easiest for someone to become dependent on and abuse. Pain relievers are addictive because they are made from natural, or synthetic, opiates. Opiates not only control pain, they can cause a high when taken. When taken as prescribed, painkillers may not pose a problem. However, addiction can cause a host of issues for the drug abuser. Here are a few signs that may indicate that someone is abusing painkillers.
Increase in Medication Tolerance
Prolonged drug usage can decrease a person’s tolerance level. One indication of painkiller abuse is noticing that someone is constantly increasing his or her pain pill dosage. The increase in dosage is a sign that the medication is not giving them any type of relief.
Personality Changes
Notice if a person has a major shift in their normal behavior or personality. There may be random outburst of anger. A person who is usually family oriented may begin to withdraw from their friends and family. In extreme situations, the person may seem more preoccupied with finding ways to maintain their addiction.
Ongoing Use
An appropriate use of painkillers involves using them as prescribed. However, a person that is addicted will find any excuse to extend their need for the medication. The common excuse is claiming that they are still in pain. In some cases, the person may seem upset when doctors will not write another prescription.
Physiological Changes
Someone who is abusing prescription drugs may display physiological changes. The physiological changes are different for each person. There may be changes in personal hygiene. Some people may experience nausea, headaches and muscle pain. Insomnia is another physiological problem. Having the inability to sleep may also result in unusual emotional outbursts. It is also not uncommon to see someone begin to look like they are in ill health. Their pupils may appear dilated often. Also, they may seem jittery. Some addicts will often engage in a habit of taping their toys or obsessive itching.
Forgetfulness
Forgetfulness may also be indicative of an addiction to painkillers. Often, people forget routine occurrences and scheduled events. Some people may have blackout moments where they forget where they were going and how they got there.
Withdrawal Symptoms
If the person has been using painkillers for a long time and has developed an addiction, they may start to have signs of withdrawal when the drugs run out. The symptoms, and their extent, depend on how much and how long they have been using. Typical withdrawal symptoms include sweating, salivation and severe drug cravings. Profuse sweating and rapid breathing, while engaged in normal activities, is also a withdrawal symptom.
Addiction to painkillers affects millions of people. It is important to recognize the signs early on. Recognizing these signs is an important step to getting friends and loved ones the help they need. The sooner someone gets treatment for their addiction, the easier it is to beat it.
