A person in a white t-shirt holds a glass of water in one hand and a white pill in the other against a leafy green background, highlighting early signs of painkiller addiction.

Signs of Painkiller Addiction

Using painkillers often starts innocently, such as through an authentic prescription from your doctor. But because these drugs make you feel much better at first, use may increase. Soon you may find yourself wanting to take them more and more often, whether you need to or not. This is how these drugs take over your life, leading to the cycle and signs of painkiller addiction.

What are the Signs of Painkiller Addiction?

The signs of painkiller addiction may be as simple as her taking the drug too often

Many people who overuse painkillers are not quite sure if they are addicted. This is because this type of drug quickly takes over. Painkillers often become a full blown addiction before most people realize they are overusing the drugs. It is usually when patients cannot get more pills legally that they realize how desperate they have become.

So, what are the signs of painkiller addiction? How can you tell if you or someone you love are addicted, or if prescription pill use is getting to that point?

Below are some of the most clear signs of pain pill addiction:

  • Drowsiness throughout the day, when pills have been used and at odd times like during conversations.
  • Poor personal hygiene, as these type of personal habits become less important than using.
  • Changing sleep patterns, such as lengthy periods of sleep mixed with poor sleep when pills run out.
  • Common flu-like symptoms when pills run out.
  • Loss of weight due to poor appetite and changing metabolism from using painkillers.
  • Abandonment of physical fitness or activities.
  • Low energy.
  • Low libido.
  • Return to old bad habits like smoking.
  • Damaged relationships and lost friendships.
  • Theft or pawning of items to get more pills.
  • Spending too much money without explanation.
  • Poor work habits or loss of work.

Why Prescription Drug Addiction May Occur in Your Life

If you or a loved one are abusing prescription drugs, there are likely some clear reasons for why the drug abuse started. For many, a co-occurring condition such as depression, trauma, ADHD or other mental illness may be at the root of self-medication. People who abuse these drugs are often attracted to them because they seem at first to help normalize conditions that can be difficult to experience.

Dual diagnosis treatment provides patients with a diagnosis of co-occurring conditions, if one exists. With this diagnosis comes much needed help through therapy and possibly the correct medication. When patients of dual diagnosis receive this treatment, they suddenly experience the normalcy they have sought through self-medication by drugs or alcohol.

Healing Springs Ranch in Tioga, Texas Helps Provide Lasting Recovery

When painkiller addiction has taken over your life, it is important to not just quit using the drugs. You also need to treat the root causes of your addiction in order to experience lasting recovery.

At Healing Springs Ranch in Tioga, Texas, dual diagnosis treatment may be the answer to your addiction problem. Call Healing Springs Ranch now at 866-656-8384 to talk to addiction treatment experts about the programs at this ranch-situated drug rehab in TX. By making this call, you will gain the answers you need and renewed hope for your future.