When people with no history of drug addiction appropriately use narcotics at prescribed doses to control pain, they are relatively unlikely to become addicted to the drugs. However, opioids provide an intoxicating high when injected or taken orally in high doses. Opioids are also powerful anxiety relievers. Additionally, in people with no history of addiction who take opiates for chronic pain, studies have not found clear-cut predictors of who is more or less likely to eventually abuse their painkillers. For these reasons, narcotic abuse is one of the most common forms of drug abuse in the U.S.
The abuse of prescription pain medication is often overlooked as there isn’t much of a negative stigma when taking Vicodin or morphine for diagnosed pain control. The misnomer that prescriptions are safer than street drugs is also one of the reasons many addictions go undiagnosed or even recognized. The following is a list of symptoms that point to possible narcotic addiction:
- An uncontrollable urge to use opioids
- An inability to curb or cease opioid use
- Increased difficulty performing well academically or occupationally
- Withdrawal from social circles due to conflicts
- Sudden legal issues stemming from drug seeking
- Consumed with planning and sourcing opioid use
- Withdrawal symptoms when reducing amounts
- Increasing tolerance resulting in increased dosing