Millions of people in the United States take prescription medications to manage or treat a medical or mental health condition. Some common types of medications have the potential for misuse and addiction.

Prescription drug abuse is a serious problem in the US. Research from 2021 showed that over 14 million people over the age of 12 said they’d abused a prescription medication in the past year. Prescription drug abuse can quickly develop into a life-threatening addiction. It is crucial to address prescription drug abuse right away.

This article will outline some of the most common signs and symptoms of prescription drug abuse. You will learn:

If you or someone you love struggles with prescription drug abuse, you are not alone. Effective treatment and care is available at First Step Behavioral Health. Contact our intake specialists to learn more about our programs or to schedule an intake appointment.

Prescription Drug Abuse: Understanding the Issue

Many people take prescription drugs to treat or manage mental health and medical conditions. Some of the most commonly prescribed drugs have the potential for abuse and physical dependence.

Prescription drug abuse includes:

Abusing a prescription drug increases the risk of developing an addiction to it. Some of the most commonly abused prescription drugs include:

Certain risk factors for prescription drug abuse can increase a person’s risk of developing this condition. Family history or substance abuse, mental health conditions, and other factors can make it more likely someone will abuse a prescription medication.

However, many people without other risk factors misuse prescription medications and become addicted to them. It is critical to recognize the signs of prescription drug abuse and seek treatment as quickly as possible.

8 Signs of Prescription Drug Abuse and Addiction

The symptoms of prescription drug abuse and addiction can vary depending on the drug someone abuses. However, understanding prescription drug abuse signs can help you recognize it and seek treatment quickly.

Here are some common signs of prescription drug abuse and addiction.

1. Physical symptoms

People struggling with prescription drug abuse may have physical symptoms, including:

Significant physical changes may be a sign of substance abuse.

2. Behavioral symptoms

People may become sneaky or dishonest about their actions. They may also experience significant social, legal, or financial difficulties, become withdrawn, or exhibit other noticeable behavioral changes.

3. Emotional changes

Prescription drug abuse can lead to mood swings, irritability, or other emotional symptoms. People may become depressed, anxious, or overexcited because of prescription drug abuse. Significant emotional changes may signal prescription drug abuse.

4. Doctor-shopping

Having multiple prescriptions for a medication from different doctors is a clear sign of prescription drug abuse.

5. Isolation

People who abuse prescription drugs may become more withdrawn. They may prefer to spend time alone or become depressed.

6. Memory problems

Some prescription drugs can cause significant memory and attention problems. People who abuse prescription medications may have trouble remembering things or struggle to maintain focus.

7. Mental health symptoms

Prescription drug abuse can cause new or worsening symptoms of a mental health condition. People may exhibit depression, anxiety, hallucinations, and other mental health symptoms when abusing prescription medications.

8. Running out of prescriptions early

People who abuse prescription drugs may run out of their prescriptions early or feel very anxious about running out. They may begin to take larger doses of the drug or take it more often than prescribed, causing them to run out before they should.

If you notice signs of prescription drug abuse or addiction, seek treatment right away. The sooner you begin treatment, the sooner you can start to work toward the future you choose.

Treating Prescription Drug Addiction

Prescription drug addiction treatment typically begins with a medically-supported detox. A detox treatment plan might include:

After detox, it is critical to continue comprehensive treatment, which may include::

Comprehensive treatment and continuing support can help people sustain their recovery for the long term.

Find Prescription Drug Addiction Treatment

If you or someone you love struggles with prescription drug abuse or addiction, you are not alone. Contact the intake specialists at First Step Behavioral Health to explore your treatment options or schedule an intake appointment.

References:

  1. National Institute of Health (NIH): What is the scope of prescription drug misuse in the United States?
  2. Science Direct: Prescription drug abuse: from epidemiology to public policy
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