Prescription drug abuse is an increasingly common affliction in the United States. If left untreated, it can develop into a full-blown addiction that touches all aspects of a person’s life. Knowing the warning signs of prescription drug misuse and addiction can help you or a loved one find the best prescription drug rehab program and get on a path to recovery as soon as possible.
Physical Warning Signs of Prescription Drug Misuse and Addiction
Prescription drug abuse can affect a person’s body in a variety of ways. Changes in appearance are some of the most noticeable physical signs of addiction. Excessive prescription drug use can result in unexplained weight loss or gain and may cause a person to neglect their personal hygiene.
Physical symptoms of prescription drug abuse may also include:
- Headaches
- Nausea
- Dizziness
- Disturbed sleep patterns
- Excessive fatigue
Over time, continuous use can increase the body’s tolerance for a prescription drug, prompting a person to take increasingly higher doses to maintain the desired effect. Reducing intake can reveal a physical dependence in the form of withdrawal symptoms such as shaking, sweating, vomiting, and insomnia.
Behavioral Warning Signs
The signs and symptoms of prescription drug abuse can include changes in behavior. A person may experience mood swings that come on suddenly and with little warning. They may feel irritable or inexplicably euphoric and have little control over the strength of their emotions. Some drugs may cause periods of excessive energy or heightened feelings of alertness.
A person who’s abusing prescription drugs may display changes in their social behavior. Sudden isolation can hint at a struggle with prescription drug addiction that they’re trying to hide from friends and family. A loss of interest in social or recreational activities, even those they once enjoyed, is one of the most telling symptoms.
Other behavioral symptoms may involve a change in performance at work or school. A person might be unable to perform as usual, leading to a drop in productivity or a series of unexplained absences. In some cases, the struggle to obtain prescription drugs may become a person’s top priority, causing them to neglect work or school responsibilities altogether.
Psychological Warning Signs
Taking prescription drugs outside their intended use can have serious consequences for a person’s psychological health. It’s common for those with an addiction to experience a heightened sense of paranoia and develop conditions such as anxiety. Prescription medication misuse can also make a person more susceptible to depression, and many of those afflicted experience suicidal thoughts.
Cognitive impairment is another psychological symptom linked to the misuse of commonly abused prescription drugs like opioids. A sense of confusion and memory impairment often accompany the abuse of these substances. A user may find themselves unable to concentrate or focus on tasks for extended periods. A prescription drug abuse problem can also result in slower cognitive reactions.
Risk Factors for Prescription Drug Misuse
Not everyone has the same risk of developing a prescription drug addiction. Several risk factors may make some individuals more likely to abuse prescription medications.
Family history plays a role in an individual’s risk level, as some research suggests addiction is a hereditary disorder. If close relatives have problems with addiction, the person may be more likely to misuse prescription drugs themselves.
A person’s mental health is also relevant. Prescription medications may provide a form of relief for those with consistently high-stress levels or a history of trauma. The same is true for those living with co-occurring disorders, such as anxiety or depression.
The environment is another important risk factor. An individual who has easy access to prescription drugs is more likely to develop an addiction than someone who struggles to obtain them. Depending on the company a person keeps, they might be pressured into misusing drugs in social spaces, which may lead to addiction.
Steps to Take If You Suspect Prescription Drug Abuse
Understanding the symptoms, signs, and risks of prescription drug addiction can help you identify the disorder in those nearest to you. Approaching a loved one about their possible addiction may help them get on the right track, but it should be done carefully.
Consider having a conversation in a calm space, and allow plenty of time to chat without rushing. It’s generally best to avoid starting a discussion at the end of a long day and to refrain from turning the conversation into a lecture. Try approaching the subject with empathy to show your concern comes from a place of caring rather than judgment.
Toward the end of the discussion, consider shifting the topic to the next step forward. If the person is receptive, you might suggest seeking help from a medical professional to determine the best form of treatment.
Treatment Options for Prescription Drug Addiction
Several treatment options are available for prescription drug abuse. A medical professional may suggest starting with a withdrawal management program. Proper management can lessen the prescription drug withdrawal symptoms a person experiences while they overcome their physical dependence.
At Changing Tides, we offer a variety of rehabilitation programs, including partial hospitalization that provides continuous care and an intensive outpatient program to support those leading active lives.
Each program blends holistic treatments with group and individual therapy sessions to get to the root of a person’s addiction and help them find ways to heal. Family therapy that involves the person’s loved ones can help overcome addiction-related rifts and forge an emotional support system to aid them on their recovery journey.
Treat Prescription Drug Addiction at Changing Tides
It’s never too late to address the negative consequences of prescription drug addiction. At Changing Tides, a leading drug and alcohol rehab in Kitty Hawk, NC, our expert team is dedicated to helping patients overcome their addictions and achieve long-term sobriety. With our serene environment, personalized treatment options, and supportive community, you or your loved one will have access to every resource needed to make a healthy recovery.
Stop prescription drug addiction in its tracks with help from the Changing Tides team. Contact us to get started today.
