Drug Addiction Symptoms to Pain Medication

Many people are prescribed pain medications for chronic pain, menstrual cramps, headaches and after surgery. Prescription pain medications are highly addictive, and some people get addicted easily when taking them as prescribed. Other people may get easily addicted by taking more than the recommended dosage. There are warning signs for pain medication addiction.

Increased Usage

• Your body over time can build up a tolerance to the same pain medication. When your body gets used to the pain medication, you will often want more pain medication.

Personality Change

• Personalities can change over time when getting addicted to pain medication. People may feel the need to let normal things in life go if they do not have the pain medication they need. Changes include mood, concentration and energy levels.

Change in Socializing

• People who become addicted to a pain medication may feel the need to withdraw from usual social activities. They may feel the need to be by themselves instead of with friends and family.

Ongoing Use

• A person who is addicted to pain medication or is becoming addicted to pain medication may feel the need to take more of it even after the reason for taking it is gone.

Change in Appearance and Daily Habits

• A person who is becoming addicted to pain medication may have a change in appearance and daily habits. These may include daily hygiene, sleeping more or less, and eating more or less. They may also develop a cough, runny nose and redness around the eyes.