When Does Prescription Drug Use Become Prescription Drug Addiction
The classification of one drug as addicting and another drug as not addicting isn't nearly as clear cut as some experts might want you to believe.
In fact, the whole subject of addiction has been pretty much high-jacked recently.
The word addiction can be defined from various viewpoints and the definitions are often barely similar.
But to cut it down to the most basic meaning, addiction is: The inability to give up some habitual behavior despite negative consequences and a desire to stop.
This could cover a broad range of behaviors, from the compulsive use of video games, all the way to a full-blown addiction to alcohol.
There are physiological and psychological aspects to all addictions.
Some can be merely embarrassing and others life threatening.
But when the addiction is to a substance, such as pain or anti-anxiety medications, the physical side of the equation adds an entirely new dimension.
Even sticking to the prescribed dosages of certain drugs can lead to addiction and the inability to stop without help.
It might not take very long for the user to reach the point of needing professional help to overcome his or her habit.
Following are some indications that addiction is setting in or has already become a problem.
It is very difficult to aid someone who doesn't want help.
Even accepting advice might seem to them as acknowledging they're in trouble.
The answer is to very carefully reach out to the person, perhaps get them to look at how things were before the drug use began, talk about what a drug dependency would look like.
Then focus on the current effects of their drug use and ask them if they see a problem.
Many older friends will have become alienated of just "washed their hands".
The increased use of ecstasy, methamphetamine, cocaine or other illicit drugs would be obvious.
But prescription drug use escalation is often kept hidden.
It will be present, though, in addiction.
They often develop a "short fuse" and fly off the handle over the smallest irritation.
Or, the addicted person might simply withdraw from social life and become reclusive.
Hobbies and interests can fall away, replaced with a new need for privacy and secrecy.
This is not a complete list of signs and symptoms of a developing addiction to prescription drugs, but some of these indications will be present, and the more there are, the more concerned you should be.
In the end, not many persons can detect these signs in themselves and act to avert a bigger problem without help.
So point it out, bring it up, gently and with care but also with persistence.
If there is a need for professional help, the sooner the better.
And the sooner the more likely it is there will be a happy and successful outcome.
In fact, the whole subject of addiction has been pretty much high-jacked recently.
The word addiction can be defined from various viewpoints and the definitions are often barely similar.
But to cut it down to the most basic meaning, addiction is: The inability to give up some habitual behavior despite negative consequences and a desire to stop.
This could cover a broad range of behaviors, from the compulsive use of video games, all the way to a full-blown addiction to alcohol.
There are physiological and psychological aspects to all addictions.
Some can be merely embarrassing and others life threatening.
But when the addiction is to a substance, such as pain or anti-anxiety medications, the physical side of the equation adds an entirely new dimension.
Even sticking to the prescribed dosages of certain drugs can lead to addiction and the inability to stop without help.
It might not take very long for the user to reach the point of needing professional help to overcome his or her habit.
Following are some indications that addiction is setting in or has already become a problem.
- Unwillingness to admit there even is a problem.
It is very difficult to aid someone who doesn't want help.
Even accepting advice might seem to them as acknowledging they're in trouble.
The answer is to very carefully reach out to the person, perhaps get them to look at how things were before the drug use began, talk about what a drug dependency would look like.
Then focus on the current effects of their drug use and ask them if they see a problem.
- Change in social habits and groups.
Many older friends will have become alienated of just "washed their hands".
- Tolerance to the drug(s)
The increased use of ecstasy, methamphetamine, cocaine or other illicit drugs would be obvious.
But prescription drug use escalation is often kept hidden.
It will be present, though, in addiction.
- Attitude changes.
They often develop a "short fuse" and fly off the handle over the smallest irritation.
Or, the addicted person might simply withdraw from social life and become reclusive.
Hobbies and interests can fall away, replaced with a new need for privacy and secrecy.
- Neglect of responsibilities.
This is not a complete list of signs and symptoms of a developing addiction to prescription drugs, but some of these indications will be present, and the more there are, the more concerned you should be.
In the end, not many persons can detect these signs in themselves and act to avert a bigger problem without help.
So point it out, bring it up, gently and with care but also with persistence.
If there is a need for professional help, the sooner the better.
And the sooner the more likely it is there will be a happy and successful outcome.
