The symptoms of prescription drug addiction
The signs of prescription drug abuse change with the type of drug, the amount used, whether or not it is combined with other drugs, and how long someone has been addicted. Below, we explore some of the general symptoms of prescription drug addiction. South Africa is home to a burgeoning population of recovering addicts, counsellors, and specialists, making it an excellent setting for the best drug rehabs South Africa. Get in touch with us for more information on our affordable Rehab.
Common symptoms
· Drug-seeking behaviour
· Taking higher doses than prescribed
· Hostility
· Appearing to be intoxicated, overly energetic, or lethargic
· Changes in sleep and eating patterns
· Increased usage of alcohol
· Mood swings relating to availability of prescription medications
· Irritability when medication is not available
· Withdrawal symptoms when prescription drug is not available
· “Doctor shopping,” or visiting multiple doctors to obtain more prescriptions
· “Borrowing” prescription medications from others
· Using prescriptions at a much faster rate than prescribed
· “Losing” multiple prescriptions for prescription medications
· Crushing or breaking pills
· Lying about amount of medication used
· Stashing medication in multiple places around the house
· Ordering prescriptions from internet pharmacies
· Stealing or forging prescriptions
The causes of prescription drug addiction
Opioid pills, like many other drugs, have a significant effect on the brain’s reward centre. Dopamine is released in high quantities in the brain, and if drug usage persists, the brain’s chemistry will eventually shift and become changed, leading to addiction. Many people find that the same dosage of pain medication that used to work no longer does. Building up a tolerance means taking more and more pills to achieve the same high, which can lead to serious health problems, including overdose.