There are many signs of a painkillers addiction to look for in a loved one or in yourself. These can be physical, psychological, or behavioral, among other things. When looking for signs of a painkillers addiction, it is important to note that addiction presents with symptoms from several categories at once, not just one or two periodically.
Signs of a Painkillers Addiction
Some of the most obvious signs of a painkiller addiction have to do with how the drugs are used.
Painkillers and Their Use
One of the clearest signs of painkiller addiction is when someone starts using more than was prescribed or more frequently than was prescribed.
Over time, as an individual continues to use addictive substances, whether prescribed or otherwise, the body can develop what is called tolerance. When the body develops tolerance, individuals cannot achieve the same effects using the dose they were prescribed originally. This can result in people using more than they should or taking pills more often than they should.
Another sign has to do with the types of painkillers that are around the house. When an individual starts developing an addiction, they might not be able to get by with the original prescription they received, in which case it’s not uncommon to find several prescriptions from different doctors or even under different names.
This is referred to as “doctor shopping,” where an individual goes to several doctors outside of their insurance plan, in different areas, with the same symptoms in order to receive several prescriptions at once. These signs of painkillers addiction relate to an individual using more than they should.
Behavioral Changes
Some of the other clear signs of a painkillers addiction have to do with the behavioral changes. When an individual struggles with addiction, it manifests in changes in behavior and physical activity.
You might, for example, notice, in addition to several prescriptions, that an individual also has severe mood swings, irritability, and other unexplained behavioral changes that ebb and flow based on whether or not they are using or recovering.
Moreover, behavioral changes can take the form of personality changes, paranoia, and unexplained anger.
Problems Related to Addiction
With an addiction to painkillers, individuals are very likely to struggle with tangential problems that stem from things like doctor shopping or behavioral changes.
Those problems can relate to:
- Money
- Legal trouble
- Work
- School
- Relationships
Someone who is struggling with an addiction to painkillers might find that they are absent from work or school, failed to complete required tasks, or otherwise perform poorly. This can not only result in poor performance but subsequent disciplinary action and even losing a job or being expelled.
Beyond that, individuals might find themselves struggling with financial problems where money is spent on acquiring new prescriptions rather than paying bills. Legal trouble can come from this as well including things like arrests for driving under the influence or possession.
As an individual struggles with addiction, they are more likely to pull away from friends and family, no longer participate in hobbies or activities that they once loved, and engage in secretive behavior. Combined with things like mood swings and financial troubles, this can greatly interfere with positive relationships and cause poor communication and trust issues to form within a family.
Getting Treatment for Painkiller Addiction with Ava Recovery
At Ava Recovery, we offer drug and alcohol detox services alongside residential care. These programs focus on treating trauma as the root cause of addiction and helping clients to better connect with themselves.
We understand that people who start out with a prescription painkiller are likely trying to meet their needs, which can be very literal, such as reducing physical pain, but our treatment focuses on how you can meet needs without turning to substance abuse. Clients can enjoy a luxury facility with a pool, volleyball court, rec room, and semi-private rooms. Additional services include access to our 7-acre property, ice baths, and a professional chef.
Overall, signs of a painkillers addiction can be behavioral, such as significant mood swings and unexplained paranoia or irritability. When an individual starts using an addictive substance, even a prescription painkiller, more frequently than they should or in higher doses than they should with regularity, it is a significant sign of addiction. Other signs can be related to problems like financial issues, legal troubles, and relationship problems.
Call us today to discuss signs of a painkiller addiction and schedule your recovery.
