Signs and symptoms of prescription drug addiction

The effects of prescription drugs these drugs can be powerful, so misusing them can quickly turn into addiction and become a cause for concern.

Commonly abused prescription drugs include:

• Oxycodone
• Xanax 
• Adderall
• Opioids
• Anti-anxiety medications
• Sedatives
• Stimulants

It’s crucial to spot the physical and psychological signs of prescription drug addiction early, so you can avoid further harm and begin to address the root cause. Recognising the symptoms is the first important step towards recovery.

How to tell the difference between abuse and addiction

It’s not always easy to tell when helpful or occasional prescription drug use slips into harmful patterns. That grey area can feel confusing. You might wonder whether you're overreacting, especially if the medication still feels like it has positive effects, or if stopping feels scary. These mixed feelings are common, though they make your concerns no less valid.

Not all prescription drug misuse looks the same. Maybe you’ve taken a friend’s painkiller after an injury, or doubled the dose of your medication during a stressful week. These might seem like one-off decisions, and while still considered misuse, they don’t always point to addiction.

However, if these behaviours become a regular feature in your life, this may indicate a deeper issue. Perhaps you’re constantly thinking about the medication, taking more than prescribed, or feeling anxious without it. You might hide your use of the drug, seek out extra prescriptions, or continue taking it despite negative effects on your health or relationships. These are signs that misuse could be developing into addiction.

Here are some other key indicators that misuse may be turning into addiction:

• Drug withdrawal symptoms when medication isn’t available, such as anxiety, nausea, sweating, insomnia or mood swings
• An increasing tolerance to the drug, meaning it takes higher or more frequent doses to give you the same effects
• Continuing to use prescription drugs despite clear negative consequences, like health issues, strained relationships, or problems at work or school
• Taking the medication in ways not prescribed, such as crushing, snorting, or mixing with other substances to intensify the effect
• Neglecting responsibilities, such as skipping work or social commitments because of drug use or its after effects
  You don’t have to be showing  all of these behaviours for there to be a problem. Even if you’ve only noticed one or two of these, drug abuse is likely to be impacting you already.

When to seek professional help

We know that reaching out for help can feel daunting. You might worry about being judged, feel embarrassed or think your situation isn’t bad enough to need help. Fear of stigma around addiction can make it even harder to break the silence.

There’s no need to wait until things get worse. If the frequency of your misuse is increasing, you have severe withdrawal symptoms, or it’s already impacting your daily life or relationships, professional support is your best course of action.

Keeping a detailed record of your behaviours or symptoms, and how it’s affecting your life, can also be a helpful way to figure things out. Having this information can make it easier to explain your situation to a professional and feel more confident in deciding to ask for help.

Speaking with your GP is a good first step to understanding whether your use is becoming problematic. You could also seek a professional addiction assessment with a private provider of addiction treatment such as Priory. An experienced specialist will give you appropriate guidance for your specific circumstances, talking and guiding you through the treatment process.