Overcoming Drug Dependency: A Prescription for Recovery

The growing epidemic of prescription drug addiction has become front-page news. It’s an issue that affects people of almost all ages, backgrounds and income levels in virtually every North American community. But despite all the attention, it’s often difficult to recognize when you or a loved one has a problem—and even more so to take the first steps to seek help. 

Prescription Positives

Unlike their illegal street-level counterparts, prescription drugs are generally safe and often very helpful when a doctor prescribes and monitors their use. Doctors recommend drugs as part of the treatment for a wide range of physical and psychological health conditions. 

While drugs can carry some risk for serious side-effects, doctors will only prescribe them when the potential benefits outweigh the dangers. Taken as directed, medication can allow people battling chronic pain and other difficult conditions to lead normal, productive lives. Drugs can also provide much needed short-term relief while counselling, physiotherapy and other non-pharmaceutical treatments, as well as the body’s natural healing, begin to take effect. 

The Other Side of Prescription Drugs

Even with their medical benefits, some prescription drugs such as narcotic painkillers, sedatives and stimulants are highly addictive. Drugs take away uncomfortable symptoms like pain or anxiety, and it can be hard to find other ways of dealing with these conditions if they still linger after a prescription ends. Prescription medication can also be easily abused, either by taking a larger dosage than required, not following a recommended schedule, or using the drug for a reason other than the one prescribed.

When a person abuses prescription drugs, they dramatically increase their risk of developing serious, potentially deadly side-effects. This is especially true for those taking more than one drug, since mixing any medications without a doctor’s approval can be extremely dangerous. 

The Red Flags of Prescription Drug Addiction

Since virtually anyone can become addicted to prescription drugs, it’s often very difficult to recognize and admit when you or a loved one has a drug problem. Many prescription drug abusers will appear happy and successful while hiding a potentially deadly secret. Here are some key signs that it may be time to seek help: 

Continued drug use. A strong sign of possible prescription drug addiction is a person who continues to take medication against a doctor’s orders after their medical condition has improved. He or she may try to justify their need for more medication by complaining about vague symptoms or promising to stop after “just one more refill.” 

Increased drug use. People who take prescription drugs excessively will start to build up a tolerance to them over time. Because of this, they’ll likely start taking their medication in a larger dose or more frequently to get the same effect. 

Mood changes. Those addicted to medication may have frequent or extreme mood swings, a significant change in their energy level or problems concentrating. 

Social withdrawal. Addiction can become the main focus of life. A person abusing prescriptions drugs may start to spend less time with friends or family, or on activities they previously enjoyed. He or she might also begin neglecting personal hygiene and noticeably change sleeping or eating habits. 

Multiple “suppliers.” People dependent on prescription drugs will often go to great lengths to fuel the habit. They may visit multiple doctors and pharmacists to get prescriptions filled, or begin buying pills from questionable sources. Alternatively, they could also start asking for or taking someone else’s medication. 

A “sickly” appearance. As prescription drug addiction becomes more serious, a person’s physical health will start to suffer. They may gain or lose weight, appear tired, or have a constant cough and runny nose. Their eyes may also appear droopy, red and dilated and their speech could become slurred.

Defensiveness. Individuals trying to hide or deny a prescription drug habit will often become very defensive when questioned about anything related to their medication or health. For example, they might blow up over a friend’s casual observation about the number of pills they’re taking. 

Withdrawal symptoms. Those addicted to certain prescription drugs might go through physical withdrawal symptoms when they stop taking the medication. These might include anxiety, nausea, vomiting, goose bumps or dilated pupils, among others. Or, someone with a drug habit may also continue to take medication, even when it causes them negative side-effects.