Prescription opioids are on of the most commonly abused substances in the United States. Readily available and regularly prescribed, we learn more every day about just how addictive these “pain pills” can be.

A common question that people ask is a fairly simple one: “how can I tell if I’m addicted to pain pills?” As people become more aware of the addictive nature of opioids, it can make them more wary of their use. Many find themselves in the position of needing pain medication after surgeries or other body trauma, and want to know if this use is starting to form a habit. As with most things related to substance abuse, it’s a simple question with a complex answer.

Common Signs You’re Developing a Dependency

It can be difficult to know if your use of prescribed painkillers is dipping into the realm of an addiction. Here are a few signs you can check for that can help paint a better picture of the propriety of your pain pill usage.

• Do you only take the prescribed dose? If you’re altering your dosages, either in one-time volume or frequency, it’s a good sign that you’re developing a dependency. Your doctor prescribed your dosage for a reason – if you’ve been thinking he or she “doesn’t know your pain needs” or that you can “double up” for a particularly painful day, it’s likely you’re just feeding your habit.
• Do you think about the medication more than the pain? Having meds on your mind when you’re hurting fresh out of surgery makes sense, but often those thoughts linger when the pain is reduced or gone. If it keeps popping into your mind even when you don’t truly need it, you may have a problem.
• Is the drug becoming less effective? As your body develops a dependency on any substance, that substance will become less effective. The drug in your system becomes the “new normal,” and you require ever-increasing amounts to feel the same effect.
• Are you having withdrawals? This may seem like an obvious one, but often people don’t know what the symptoms are and don’t realize that they’re going through them. If you have headaches, nausea, chills, vomiting, and muscle aches when you’re not using the pills, you’re likely experiencing withdrawals.
• Are you going to multiple doctors for the same prescription, or seeking them out? You might be telling yourself that the first (or second, and so on) doctor doesn’t know what you need, or you may be finding a “back up” prescription “just in case.” Either way, these are strong signs that you’re becoming addicted.
• Do you just feel “off?” Often there’s no one set thing that a person can point to when they’re developing a dependency to a drug. They might be more irritable, or less concerned about hygiene and self-care. Have your eating and sleeping patterns changed? Painkillers especially can mess with a person’s sleep patterns, often leading to “lost days” and a general lethargic and apathetic nature.

These are just a few of the signs that you may be addicted to pain pills. However, if you’re reading this, you’re likely concerned about your usage already. Talk to your doctor about what you’re experiencing, and he or she will likely be able to help you if you’re in need.