The number of people that are addicted to prescription medications is growing. Addicts of prescription meds may prefer them because they may not feel that they are as bad or harmful as street drugs. They also don’t necessarily have to go through a dealer to obtain them. Their doctor, or group of doctors, becomes their “dealer(s).” Though to the uneducated, prescription drugs may seem less harmful then say crack or cocaine, the truth is prescription drugs can be just as addictive and dangerous as “street” drugs. For people who believe that they or a loved one might be addicted to prescription medication, this article will contain a list of symptoms that are commonly associated with prescription drug addicts.

Addicts may:

Consistently lose their prescriptions purposely: Addicts will pretend to misplace their prescriptions and then ask their doctor to write them another one. This allows them to double up their prescriptions without raising any red flags.

Have a group of doctors that they routinely visit: Prescription drug addicts will often have more then one doctor so that they can obtain prescriptions for the same drug from all of them. This lowers suspicions and allows them to avoid asking for refills sooner then would be normally expected.

Don’t use their medications according to the instructions: Persons addicted to prescription medications will often take larger doses then they are supposed to or more often then they should. This is because the goal is to get high and not treat an actual ailment.

Take medication for ailments that they do not have: Addicts will often take prescription medication for illnesses that they don’t have. They may either fake symptoms or purchase prescriptions meds from dealers.

Be willing to forge prescriptions: A pretty convincing sign of addiction is that a person is willing to forge prescriptions and risk jail time in order to get drugs.

Not be able to function without the drug: Another obvious sign that a person is addicted to prescription medication is if they are unable to function and get through out the day without taking a particular drug.

Think excessively about the drug: Individuals with a serious problem will think excessively and obsessively about drugs. Their thoughts will be consumed with getting high and how they might be able to obtain the drug their drug of choice.

There are many types of prescription drugs which can be abused. However, the most common are opioid painkillers. OxyContin and Vicodin are examples of these. Valium, Ativan and Ritalin are also commonly abused though they aren’t opioid painkillers.

If you or someone that you love has a prescription medication addiction, it is important to get help. It can be difficult to stop taking drugs on one’s own. It nearly always requires some form of drug addition help. Give us a call at the number listed above. We can provide callers with the resources that they need to deal with drug addiction to prescription and street drugs. The goal is to help users get clean and reclaim their lives. The call is free and confidential. Let this be the first step in getting the drug addiction help that you or your loved one needs.