How To Tell if Someone Is Abusing Prescription Drugs
Sometimes people develop addictions to prescription drugs because they are used for good medical reasons.Drug addiction is the same no matter what drug is being abused.If someone you know or love is abusing prescription drugs, you should learn more about the symptoms of drug addiction.
Step 1: You should notice the person's appearance.
A person with constricted pupils is high on opiates.They may be sleepy or tired.They may speak in a slurred voice despite nodding off.The person may appear confused.The person who is addicted may seem clumsy and off-balance.Snorting or sniffing drugs can lead to frequent nosebleeds, and the person may have a rash around the nose and mouth.The person's eyes may be red.
Step 2: Check for sudden weight or sleep changes.
Someone who is abusing prescription drugs can have sudden changes in appetite.They can lose a lot of weight.If a person is abusing a drug, they may not sleep for days.It may take them a long time to sleep.Insomnia is a symptom of abuse.It's a side effect of taking many medications.
Step 3: Look for strange smells.
A foul smell can be caused by the chemical interaction between the person's body and the drug.This smell could also be the smell of smoke if the person is trying to crush the pill.A person who misuses prescription drugs may sweat more than usual.The person's sense of smell can either be greatly enhanced or diminished.The person using drugs is not likely to notice a change in smell.
Step 4: There are signs of injuries.
Drug use can cause physical clumsiness.This can be a sign of prescription drug abuse if you notice unexplained injuries.Mild cuts and injuries are common.There may be more severe injuries.When asked about injuries, the person may become defensive.In warm weather, the person may wear long-sleeved shirts.
Step 5: Being aware of movement is important.
The person may be shaking their hand or arm.The person may not be able to form words.The person may not be able to hold a pen, sign their name, or cup without spilling liquid over the edges.Drug abuse is a sign of withdrawal from medication.
Step 6: There are changes to personal hygiene.
A person who is abusing drugs may stop caring for their hygiene.Changing into clean clothes and taking showers.This is a sign of drug abuse.The person may not care if they are less able to concentrate on these activities.The person may spend more time cleaning the house if they are using a medication.The signs of drug abuse may be related to depression.
Step 7: Look for drug paraphernalia.
People who abuse prescription drugs will inject it.There are pouch used to carry spoons and needles.There are piles of burnt matches or extra lighters used to heat the drugs.In between books on a shelf or in the person's home, foil, glassine envelopes or paper bundles can be found.
Step 8: Think about the changes in person's social network.
People who abuse drugs avoid people who don't.You can see that the person is avoiding former friends and coworkers.There could be complaints from the person's former friends.Someone on stimulants is likely to talk a lot.They may not be nice to be around.They may develop theories about how other people are against them.
Step 9: If the person is missing time at work or school, consider it.
A person abusing drugs is less interested in school or work.They can lie, call in sick, or stop going.This lack of interest may be different from the way the person used to be.There may be a drop in grades or work performance.
Step 10: There has been an increase in level of secrecy.
Someone who is abusing drugs may seem paranoid.They may try to keep people out of their home.They may want to keep their activity a secret from their friends and family.The person can lie about their daily activities.There is a person engaging in suspicious activity that can't be explained.
Step 11: There is an increase in troubling situations.
Drug abuse can lead to trouble at school, home, work, friends and relationships.Accidents, fights, legal problems, arguments and so on are included.It's possible that getting in trouble isn't uncharacteristic of this person.Consider the possibility of drug abuse if this is new.Sometimes getting into trouble is enough to stop abusing the drug.If the person continues drug abuse despite getting in trouble, they are likely addicted and will need treatment in order to get off the drug.
Step 12: Track the person's spending.
A person who is abusing prescription drugs often faces financial challenges to pay for the drugs.It is possible that an unexplained need for money is a sign of drug abuse.Even if they're an honest person, someone abusing drugs may steal, lie or cheat in order to get money.Drug users may steal in order to support their habit.It's possible that you're missing items of high resale value.If the person is spending a lot of money without anything to show for it, they may be spending it on drugs.
Step 13: There are frequent requests for early refills.
A person abusing prescription drugs will often run out before they get a refill because you can't get them whenever you want.The person will have a lot of reasons why they need an early refill: they were stolen, they fell down the sink or in the toilet, forgot them in a hotel room, and so on.This is a sign of drug abuse.
Step 14: Take into account the changes in personality or mood.
Prescription drugs can cause a person's personality to change.A person abusing prescription drugs can become combative.It is possible that the person is abusing prescription drugs if there is a dramatic difference in personality.On stimulants, the person may talk a lot, but their conversation may be hard to follow.They can't stay focused on a topic for a long time.A person may be paranoid about what other people say.
Step 15: Look at emotional responses.
Even if this is uncharacteristic, the person may seem defensive.They may become less able to deal with stress.Irritability is a common symptom of a prescription drug problem.The person may appear less mature because they won't accept blame or minimize their part in the situation.
Step 16: The person's attention may change.
Drug abuse can cause people to make poor decisions because they can't think through everyday problems.The person may not be able to think about things other than the drug.The person may be more silly than usual.Drug abuse can be caused by poor concentration and memory problems.
Step 17: Tell the person something.
You should ask if someone you know is abusing prescription drugs.Offer to help them if you're concerned.Don't blame the person for their drug use.It's not a conscious choice that addiction is a disease.The person needs treatment if they are suffering from an addiction.It takes a lot of courage to admit you have a problem.Accept that this is difficult.Don't preach to the person or talk to them when you're hurt by their drug use.Remember to be calm, concerned and helpful.
Step 18: Don't expect the person to stop on their own.
There are different options for treatment.If the person is willing to be persistent, they can return to a drug-free life after some time.Any chronic health condition is the same as being an addict.The person is taking steps throughout their lifetime.No one needs to know that treatment is private.Treatment for prescription drug addiction is covered by the privacy act of the United States.
Step 19: Help the person get treatment.
In addition to the usual 12-step groups, there are other intensive behavioral treatments available.In a wide range of settings, treatment for dependence of prescription drugs can be delivered.The person should be encouraged to access the treatment they feel most comfortable with.Individual and group counseling options are available.Two approaches are cognitive-behavioral therapy and multidimensional family therapy.Motivational interviewing and motivational incentives are two approaches that focus on incentives and rewards.It's possible to suggest intensive outpatient programs.These programs meet at least three days per week for two to four hours per day, and can be scheduled around other personal responsibilities.For more severe addiction, residential treatment may be recommended.Residential treatment is more intensive and involves living in a treatment facility while undergoing behavioral treatment.Most stays are between 28 and 60 days.Residential treatment options include therapeutic communities, which can last over a year.Each person's recovery is different.Everyone has a different method of behavioral treatment.
Step 20: Information about treatment options can be shared.
Depending on the type of drugs the person has been abusing, pharmacological treatment will vary.A visit to a medical provider or doctor is required to access these treatment options.Behavioral treatment is best with these options.The person may be prescribed buprenorphine or naltrexone.The drugs may help reduce the body's craving for drugs.There is no FDA-approved treatment for addiction to prescription drugs such as Adderall or Concerta.Professional medical support is encouraged to minimize physical damage when withdrawing from these substances.