What Are the Signs of Pain Pill Addiction?

If you notice the signs of pain pill addiction in a loved one, don’t sweep it under the rug. Take action.

An estimated 12 million Americans have an addiction to prescription painkiller, according to CBS News. Prescription painkillers include hydrocodone, fentanyl, morphine, and oxycodone, among others. Addiction to pain medications can cause a changes in a person’s brain, personality, and life that can have catastrophic effects on their health and their relationships. Sometimes the signs of pain pill addiction can be difficult to detect because they are especially subtle at first. A loved one may not believe they have a problem or recognize their disorder. The following are painkiller addiction symptoms and pain pill addiction signs that can help a person identify if they or a loved one has a problem.

Painkiller Addiction Symptoms in Yourself

If you are taking painkillers regularly, you may find yourself starting to take more or crave the pain pills more and more. These are just some of the painkiller addiction symptoms that you may experience if you are addicted to pain pills. Examples of some of the signs you may have a pain pill addiction include:

  • You become pre-occupied with taking your medications. You often find yourself thinking about your medication and start to worry about it. You may worry that you might miss a dose or think about when you can take a dose again. You may also become preoccupied with the fear that you will run out of pain pills.
  • You start trying to control your medication dosages. Your doctor may have recommended taking your pain medications every six hours or at another time interval, but you may start to change the intervals you take it at. Maybe you take less in the morning so you can take more at night. Some people will start taking more painkillers because their previous dosages aren’t working as well.
  • You start getting painkillers from illegal sources or multiple doctors. You may start to call your friends to try and see if they have extra pain pills or even take them from friends and family. If your doctor won’t write you a new prescription for pain pills, you may see another doctor to try and get more pills.
  • Others have commented on your painkiller use or that you often seem “out of it.” This will usually make you feel angry and/or frustrated. This often makes you feel the need to be more secretive about your painkiller use.

Signs of Pain Pill Addiction in a Loved One

It can be difficult to recognize the signs of a pain pill addiction in a loved one. A person often becomes very adept at covering up their addiction and habit, even to the point where those very close to them may not always notice their symptoms. Examples of signs that a loved one may have a problem with opioid abuse include:

  • A person starts skipping out on commitments and spending less time with friends and family. Sometimes they will start to make new friends who they may get drugs from or use drugs with.
  • Changes in behavior, such as often appearing sleepy, having difficulty concentrating, and showing a lack of motivation.
  • Changes in a person’s appearance, such as having a disheveled, poorly put-together appearance or having pupils that are very small or pinpoint.
  • Displaying paranoid or secretive behaviors. A person may also act very guarded or suspicious if someone asks about the medications they take or their behavior.

If you or a loved one has painkiller addiction symptoms, the symptoms should not be avoided. A person should seek treatment for their addiction before they experience an overdose or problems with the law as a result of their problem.

If you or a loved one needs help with abuse and/or treatment, please call the WhiteSands Treatment at (877) 855-3470. Our addiction specialists can assess your recovery needs and help you get the addiction treatment that provides the best chance for your long-term recovery.

About the Author

is a proud alumni member of WhiteSands Treatment. After living a life of chaos, destruction and constant let downs, Mark was able to make a complete turnaround that sparked a new way of life. He is serious about his recovery along with helping others. At WhiteSands Treatment, we offer support to you in your homes or when you are out living in your daily lives.