Caution! Overlooking these Signs of Prescription Pain Medicine Addiction can Kill You

Whether the individual abused prescription drugs with the knowledge that it could lead to an addiction or they were prescribed their medicine and it happened accidentally, an addiction to prescription pain medicine can have major consequences with continued use.

According to the NIDA, abuse of prescription drugs will alter the individual’s judgment and decision-making, which could lead to behavior that is more dangerous to their well-being.

Regardless of the circumstances, anyone who uses a prescription pain medicine should be aware of the signs of addiction or abuse to ensure that they receive the help they need by calling 800-994-1867Who Answers?.

It is important not to overlook these deadly signs of an addiction to prescription pain medicine.

Know the Symptoms

Symptoms are key in deciding whether someone is addicted to prescription pain medicine. Some of the most common symptoms for the abuse of prescription pain medicine include shortness of breath, depression, an unexplainable decrease in blood pressure, constipation, and disorientation.

Becoming irritable when lacking the pain medicine is a sign of addiction.

Withdrawal symptoms are just as severe and if a loved one is experiencing an addiction to prescription drugs, these signs will show when they try to stop using them. This will include cold flashes, restlessness, involuntary leg movements, sharp pains in the bone and muscle, diarrhea, vomiting, seizures, and cardiac arrest.

Behaviors as Signs

A prescription drug addict will participate in drug-seeking behaviors, which are a sure sign that should not be ignored. The addict may frequently ask their physicians for refills by claiming to have lost their prescriptions and requesting replacements.

If they cannot get the prescription drug from their physician, they may steal them from family, friends, or co-workers, steal or forge prescriptions, or consume over-the-counter medications that are similar to their prescription drugs.

Other Behaviors to Look For

Many addicts will consume their drug faster than specified and other behaviors can include visiting different doctors for similar conditions, providing inconsistent answers to questions regarding their usage, crushing or breaking pills, or ordering their prescription medications online.

A prescription drug addict may also have noticeable mood swings and irritability will be the most prominent in the absence of their prescription drug. They will also change their sleep patterns and their alcohol consumption may become more frequent as a substitute for their drugs.

Overlooking the signs of an addiction to prescription pain medicine can be deadly and lead to further consequences in the future if they are not dealt right away. For example, according to the SAMHSA, a 2014 NSDUH report found that 12.7% of new illicit drug users began their addiction with prescription pain relievers and escalated from there.

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By looking for the symptoms of abuse or addiction as well as the possible withdrawal symptoms when they try to stop using and watching for drug-seeking behaviors, anyone close to the addict will be able to tell when he or she needs professional help.

Once these signs show themselves, it is important for the loved one to begin the process of getting the addict the help they need as soon as possible and research ways to approach them about their addiction.

Please call 800-994-1867Who Answers? if you or someone you know is suffering from an addiction to prescription pain medication and needs help to speak with a helpful representative that can assist you.