Beating a Prescription Pill Addiction

The opiod crisis in America seems to be growing literally by the day. People are often unsure how to find help or their families do not know where to turn. This makes an already stressful time in someone’s life even more.

PathFinders Recovery Center has some great resources for not only finding but getting help. People wonder what prescription pill addiction is in the first place and it can often be linked to an injury or surgery where someone was given prescription pain medications for initial relief. This turns into something a lot bigger. “Another factor in the rise of prescription pill addiction is the use of ADHD medication such as Ritalin and Adderall in college as a recreational drug, or as a wonder drug that helps them study and focus during their exams. While all these medications have a legitimate purpose and can have great benefits when taken at the right dosage, when abused many of these medications carry a high potential for addiction.”

My own family has seen prescription pill addiction and it has impacted not only the user but the entire family.

Here are some signs to look for when it comes to prescription pill addiction based on various types of pills:

Opiates (Painkillers)

• Frequent doctor shopping
• Dramatically changing moods.
• Extra pill bottles turning up in the trash.
• Social withdrawal/isolation.
• Sudden financial problems

Barbiturates (Sedatives, Anti-anxiety)

• Difficulty thinking.
• Poor judgment.
• Slow and shallow breathing.
• Slow talking.
• Lethargy.
• Extreme sleepiness or even coma.
• Poor coordination.
• Inability to walk properly, staggering or stumbling.

Stimulants (Hyperactivity, Attention Deficit Disorder)

• Dilated pupils.
• Restlessness.
• Hyperactivity.
• Loss of appetite.
• Weight loss.
• Sweating.

In my family when there was prescription abuse happening we noticed lying about some really basic things such as “lost” medications, lack of appetite after a once thriving appetite and forgetfulness.

I am happy to say that with a change of doctors and some prescription regulation in a facility that my relative happens to be doing quite well now and thriving in a new environment. We are pleased that the roller coaster that lasted our family over 50 years seems to finally be at rest.