As stated by the National Institute on Drug Abuse, “Prescription opioids are one of the three main broad categories of medications that present abuse liability, the other two being stimulants and central nervous system (CNS) depressants.” However, these medications are some of the most highly prescribed in the country.

Many people do abuse their medications now and then, believing there is no harm in it. But if you begin to see a severely negative impact in your daily life caused by your prescription opioid use, you may already be struggling with addiction and in need of treatment.

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How Do You Know It’s Time to Seek Help?

Some individuals who have abused their medications a few times are not in trouble. But even one misuse of a habit-forming drug like hydrocodone, oxycodone, morphine, fentanyl, or codeine could lead you down a dangerous path. It is sometimes hard to know when it’s time to seek help, but these situations below are clear signs that you have a problem and require professional treatment.

An opioid addict will become upset if they can’t have their medication when they want it.

• You cannot stop taking prescription opioids in a way you were not prescribed to do so, no matter how hard you try to change your habits.
• You are experiencing increased tolerance to your medication every time you take it, and you constantly attempt to counteract that tolerance by taking higher doses of the drug.
• You look forward to the time when you are going to take the drug again, and you become severely angry, depressed, or otherwise upset if you cannot take it right away.
• You are hiding your abuse of prescription opioids from your loved ones.
• Your abuse of these drugs has become consistent, systematic, and unabating.

If you feel any of these experiences fit into your life, you are in need of professional help for opioid addiction. If you do not receive help in this manner, it will likely be impossible for you to stop abusing your prescription drugs and possible that you may even move on to a more dangerous substance like heroin.

Am I Addicted to Prescription Opioids?

Calling for Help

If you or someone you love is addicted to a prescription medication, call our helpline toll free at 888-959-0638 for immediate assistance. Our operators will help you choose treatment, find local support and begin the journey to recovery and healing from the addiction.