Key Takeaways
- Prescription drug abuse symptoms can be behavioral, physical, emotional, and social, including mood changes, unusual sleep patterns, withdrawal from loved ones, and difficulty meeting responsibilities.
- Warning signs can vary depending on the medication being misused. Opioids, benzodiazepines, and stimulants affect the body differently and can produce different symptoms and risks.
- A single warning sign does not necessarily indicate addiction. A pattern of changes, difficulty controlling medication use, or continued use despite harmful consequences may indicate a substance use disorder.
Prescription drug abuse can affect a person’s behavior, physical health, relationships, responsibilities, and finances. Common signs of prescription drug abuse include sudden mood or behavioral changes, unusual physical symptoms, seeking prescriptions from multiple providers, withdrawing socially, changes in sleep, neglecting responsibilities, and unexplained financial problems.
No single symptom necessarily means someone is misusing prescription medication. However, several changes occurring together, especially alongside changes in how a medication is being used, may be warning signs of a larger problem. Recognizing the signs and symptoms of prescription drug abuse can help someone identify when it may be time to seek professional guidance.
The 7 Signs of Prescription Drug Abuse Explained
While the symptoms of use can vary depending on the person and the medication itself, broadly, the following are some of the more common signs of prescription drug abuse.
Here is a quick look at seven potential warning signs and what they may look like:
| Warning Sign | What It May Look Like |
| Behavioral and mood changes | Mood swings, irritability, secrecy, anxiety, or unusual changes in personality |
| Physical symptoms | Changes in pupils, coordination, weight, energy, or personal hygiene |
| Prescription-seeking behavior | Visiting multiple providers or repeatedly seeking additional medication |
| Social withdrawal | Pulling away from family, friends, hobbies, or other activities |
| Sleep changes | Insomnia, excessive sleeping, unusual drowsiness, or significant changes in normal sleep patterns |
| Neglecting responsibilities | Problems keeping up with work, school, home, or other obligations |
| Financial problems | Unexplained spending, borrowing money, selling belongings, or other financial difficulties |
- Behavioral and mood changes: When someone is abusing prescription drugs, they may have changes in behavior, including mood swings, unexplained euphoria, and increased irritability. Other changes can include anxiety, secrecy, or noticeable shifts in someone’s usual personality or demeanor. Drastic changes in personality or demeanor are often one of the first indicators that someone is under the influence of psychoactive substances.
- Physical signs and symptoms: Physical changes that can be a sign of prescription drug abuse include dilated or constricted pupils, rapid weight loss or gain, and changes in personal hygiene. Impaired coordination and unusual movements can also indicate substance misuse. The specific physical symptoms can vary considerably depending on the type of prescription drug involved.
- Doctor shopping or seeking additional prescriptions: This is a term that refers to someone seeking prescriptions from multiple healthcare providers without disclosing their full medical history. The goal is to get more of the desired medication than a single physician or healthcare provider would prescribe. Frequently requesting early refills or repeatedly reporting lost medication may also warrant attention, although these behaviors alone do not establish that someone has a substance use disorder.
- Social withdrawal: Prescription drug abuse tends to lead to social isolation as people prioritize getting and using substances over the maintenance of relationships. Signs of prescription drug abuse include withdrawing from friends and family, as well as social activities.
- Changes in sleep patterns: Insomnia or on the opposite end of the spectrum, sleeping too much or being excessively drowsy, can indicate prescription drug abuse. Some medications may cause sedation and excessive sleepiness, while others can contribute to wakefulness or difficulty sleeping.
- Neglecting responsibilities: When someone is struggling with prescription drug abuse, they’re likely to neglect responsibilities at home, school, work, and elsewhere. Examples include declining performance, missed deadlines, or frequently being absent.
- Financial problems: Financial difficulties are often linked to drug misuse and addiction. There are varying reasons for this, including the excessive amounts of money spent on getting medications illegally. Someone with a substance misuse problem might start borrowing money, sell their belongings, or engage in other desperate measures to fund their use.
“I’ve seen how easy it is for prescription drug use to become a problem without someone realizing it right away. A lot of the time, it’s the small things you notice first. They’re not quite themselves, they’re pulling away, or getting their medication starts to matter more than it used to. Those little changes can tell you a lot when you know the person.”
Signs and Symptoms Can Vary by Prescription Drug
The signs of prescription drug misuse can look different depending on the medication involved. Opioids, benzodiazepines, and stimulants affect the body differently, so the symptoms someone notices may vary. Many prescription drugs have legitimate medical uses, but misuse can lead to severe health consequences and addiction.
Opioids
Opioid painkillers such as oxycodone (OxyContin), morphine, and hydrocodone (Vicodin) are among the most often abused prescription drugs. The medications are intended to manage severe pain, but when they are misused, they can create euphoria.
It’s not uncommon to have an initial prescription for opioids for a legitimate reason, such as after an injury or surgery, but then the development of a tolerance can occur. This can lead to the ongoing desire to have euphoric effects, leading to opioid misuse and dependence.
Signs associated with opioid misuse may include unusual drowsiness, slowed movements, constricted pupils, changes in mood, cravings, or withdrawal symptoms when opioid use is reduced or stopped.
Benzodiazepines
Benzodiazepines include alprazolam (Xanax), lorazepam (Ativan) and diazepam (Valium). These medications are prescribed to treat sleep and anxiety disorders. These medications have a calming effect and can trigger relaxation and euphoria as well. The risk of dependence on benzos goes up when someone takes higher doses or uses them for an extended period.
Possible signs of benzodiazepine misuse can include excessive drowsiness, impaired coordination, confusion, memory problems, or changes in normal behavior.
Stimulants
Stimulants that are used to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) include Adderall and Ritalin. These medicines improve focus and attention in ADHD, but when misused, they can create feelings of energy, focus, and euphoria.
Students and young adults are most likely to misuse stimulants to improve their academic performance or stay awake for long periods of time.
When stimulants are misused, possible warning signs can include unusual wakefulness, reduced appetite, agitation, anxiety, rapid speech, or significant changes in sleep patterns.
Prescription Drug Misuse vs. Addiction
Prescription drug misuse generally means using medication in a way other than directed. This can include taking a larger dose than prescribed, taking someone else’s medication, or using a prescription drug for a purpose other than the one for which it was prescribed.
Addiction, clinically referred to as a substance use disorder, involves a problematic pattern of substance use that may include difficulty controlling use and continuing to use a substance despite harmful consequences.
Physical dependence is also not necessarily the same as addiction. The body can adapt to certain medications when they are taken regularly, including when they are taken as prescribed. Someone who is concerned about dependence should talk with a healthcare professional before abruptly reducing or stopping certain prescription medications.
How Prescription Drug Misuse Starts
Prescription drug misuse can begin in different ways. Some people are initially prescribed a medication for a legitimate medical reason, while others may first use medication that was prescribed to someone else. A number of factors can contribute to prescription drug misuse or increase someone’s vulnerability to developing a substance use problem. These factors include:
- Appealing drug side effects like an improved mood or sense of energy or relaxation.
- Unsupervised access.
- Self-medication.
- Peer influence.
- Mental health factors.
Having one or more of these risk factors does not mean someone will develop an addiction. Substance use disorders are complex conditions influenced by a combination of individual, environmental, biological, and behavioral factors.
Treatment Approaches for Prescription Drug Abuse
When someone struggles with prescription drug abuse, treatment is comprehensive and often includes a combination of interventions — medical, psychological, and behavioral. The goal of substance abuse and addiction treatment is to help people overcome their dependence and manage their withdrawal symptoms, address underlying contributing issues, and create a foundation for long-term recovery.
While everyone’s treatment plan should be tailored to their unique needs, some of the components can include:
- Medical detox: If a person is physically dependent on prescription drugs, they may need a supervised medical detox. During a medical detox, the dosage of a substance might be gradually reduced, or medications used to help the body adjust and eliminate the drug. Medical professionals provide close monitoring to manage withdrawal symptoms, improving comfort and safety.
- Medication-assisted treatment: MAT includes the use of approved medicines to help manage substance cravings and withdrawal symptoms. With opioid addiction, medicines like methadone, naltrexone, or buprenorphine may be prescribed under careful medical monitoring. MAT is meant to be combined with counseling and behavioral therapies for a holistic recovery approach.
- Individual counseling: In a one-on-one setting, addiction treatment often includes counseling. During individual counseling, individuals explore underlying issues contributing to substance misuse. Other goals include developing coping strategies and creating plans for recovery.
- Group therapy: This is a unique way to experience a socially supportive environment. Individuals share experiences, receive feedback, and learn from other people who are facing similar challenges. Group therapy reduces isolation, a major relapse risk factor. It includes skill-building exercises, discussions, and mutual support.
- Family therapy: Involving family and loved ones in treatment can benefit loved ones and the individual. During family therapy, skills worked on might include communication, rebuilding trust, and educating family members about the realities of addiction.
- Behavioral therapies: There are behavioral therapies for prescription drug addiction, including contingency management and dialectical behavioral therapy.
- Complementary therapies: These holistic treatment approaches include yoga, mindfulness, and meditation. Holistic approaches help promote relaxation and stress reduction and contribute to overall well-being.
Contact Midwest Recovery Centers For Help Today
If you’d like to learn more about overcoming prescription drug misuse or addiction, reach out to our team at Midwest Recovery Centers. In addition to the above components of treatment, our integrative process is holistic and includes aftercare and relapse prevention. Contact us for program information or to take the next step.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the signs of prescription drug abuse?
Signs of prescription drug abuse can include behavioral or mood changes, physical symptoms, seeking additional prescriptions, social withdrawal, changes in sleep, neglecting responsibilities, and unexplained financial problems. Because symptoms vary by medication and individual, it is important to look at the overall pattern rather than relying on one sign alone.
What are common prescription drug abuse symptoms?
Prescription drug abuse symptoms may include mood swings, irritability, unusual drowsiness or wakefulness, changes in appetite or weight, impaired coordination, changes in sleep, social withdrawal, and difficulty keeping up with everyday responsibilities. Symptoms can differ depending on whether opioids, benzodiazepines, stimulants, or other medications are involved.
How can you tell if someone is addicted to prescription drugs?
Addiction may involve difficulty controlling prescription drug use, spending significant time obtaining or using the medication, strong cravings, and continuing to use it despite problems with health, relationships, work, school, or other responsibilities. A healthcare or addiction treatment professional can assess whether someone’s symptoms meet the criteria for a substance use disorder.
What are the physical signs of prescription drug abuse?
Physical signs can vary by medication but may include changes in pupils, unusual drowsiness or energy, impaired coordination, changes in appetite or weight, altered sleep patterns, or changes in personal hygiene. Physical symptoms alone do not necessarily indicate prescription drug abuse.
What is the difference between prescription drug misuse and addiction?
Prescription drug misuse means using medication in a way other than prescribed, such as taking someone else’s medication or taking a different amount than directed. Addiction involves a problematic pattern of substance use that can include difficulty controlling use and continued use despite harmful consequences. Physical dependence can also occur without addiction, including with some medications taken as prescribed.
Reviewed and Assessed by
Taylor Brown, B.A.Com., CRADC
Tim Coleman, M. of Ed.