Prescription drug addiction is on the rise. Due to the common nature of prescription drugs it can be very easy for a friend or family member to become addicted to prescription medications without those that surround them knowing about it. However, there are classic warning signs that someone you know may be addicted to prescription medications. Here is a look at some of the warning signs of prescription drug addiction.

Multiple Doctor’s Visits. Many times prescription drug addicts will get their prescriptions from a doctor. To do this they must go to multiple doctors who do not know that others are prescribing the pain medications to the person. If you notice a loved one going to multiple doctors’ visits without a clear reason or over a very short period of time, you may want to suspect that they could have a prescription drug addiction.  

Missing Medications. When an addict that is addicted to prescription pain medication gets desperate for the medications they will take it from anywhere they can find it. If you notice that medications are missing from your medicine cabinet or closet, it could be a sign that someone you know is suffering from a prescription drug addiction.

Sudden Outbursts. Emotions are running high in someone who suffers from a prescription drug addiction. If you notice extreme mood swings or huge sudden outbursts over small, normal situations this could be a sign of a prescription drug addiction. Many addicts who have not had their fix yet will show signs of extreme irritability or emotional outbursts.

Odd Sleep Cycles. Many prescription drugs are either designed to keep a person awake and alert or to put them to sleep. If you notice someone having an extreme change in their sleeping patterns such as staying awake at all hours or sleeping way to long it could be a sign that they are suffering from a prescription drug addiction.  

Drug addictions are defined by the overwhelming need and desire to use illegal street drugs or prescription drugs. In most cases the addict will feel as if they need the drugs in order to maintain a healthy, normal lifestyle. Many people believe that the only people that are harmed when a person suffers from a drug addiction is the addict, but that is not true. Anyone that is around the addict may suffer from the side effects of the addiction. These people include friends, family members, neighbors and co-workers. Here is a look at some of the effects that people who are around drug addicts suffer from.

Trust Issues. Addicts have the unique ability to lie their way out of situations. While the lies can range from lying to friends and family members about where they were to lying to them about seeking help, the fact of the matter is the friends or family members are being lied to. Every time that happens a little bit of trust goes with it until the addict has lost all the trust they had from friends and family members.

Financial Problems. Drug addictions are costly and many times the addict does not have the ability to pay for the addiction. This means that they will rely upon friends and family members to supply them with money to fund their addiction. If a friend or family member refuses to hand over any of the money, the addict will often steal money or physical possessions in order to pay for the drugs that they need.

 Emotional Issues. It is hard to sit back and watch someone that you know and care for go through an addiction. In many ways the friends and family members are watching their loved one slowly kill themselves. This can result in a lot of emotional pain and turmoil for those that surround the addict.

One of the hardest parts about suffering from a drug addiction is having to admit to your friends and family members that you have a problem. While you may wish to keep your addiction a secret or hide it from certain people doing so could only lead to relapsing. Here are some ways that will help you talk to your friends and family members about your drug addiction. Using these steps might open the door for you and loved ones to talk about the addiction.

Talk to Close Friends and Family. Just because you need to admit that you have an addiction does not mean that the neighbor ten doors down needs to know. If the need to talk about your addiction comes up to people, talk about it. However, you may only need to bring it up with close friends and family members.

Seeking Help. When you start your conversation with friends or family members start by explaining the drug addiction. It is a good idea to talk about the treatment that you plan on receiving or have already received. This will allow your friends and family members to feel better as they know that you are getting the care that you need.

Talk About Emotions. It might be hard to admit to your friends and family members but most likely you were turning to drugs as a way to suppress emotions. Talk to your loved ones about the types of emotions you were trying to hide and what you were feeling when you would turn to drugs. Let them know that you are working on these issues and that you are learning to handle your emotions better.

Support. One of the most important things that comes from talking about your addiction is the ability to know that your friends and family members support you. Make sure you ask for their support while you are on the road to recovery.