As a public health professional with over 10 years of experience, Katie is passionate about informing decision-making that impacts the health and well-being of individuals and communities.

Jenny Sweigard, MD, is a board-certified physician involved in patient care, including general medicine and critical care medicine.

Certain strong medications that are typically only available by prescription can run the risk of addiction if misused. Prescription drug misuse is using a drug in a way that was not intended by the person who prescribed it, or using it without a prescription. Misuse becomes abuse when a person experiences consequences of drug use.

This article discusses both frequent and rare signs and symptoms of prescription drug addiction and when to seek medical care.

The most common types of prescription drugs that are misused include:

How the drug is taken can impact the risk of addiction. More specifically, this includes:

Additionally, some people are at a higher risk of developing an addiction to substances.

People who have experienced the following may be at an increased risk for addiction:

Addiction to prescription medications can manifest in a number of ways depending on the type of drug abused. In general though, if you are concerned that you may be experiencing addiction, some signs may include:

Noticing similar signs and symptoms may be an indicator of prescription drug abuse and addiction in others. Some additional signs—ranging from behavioral, physical, and social—to look out for may include:

High doses and misuse of the most commonly misused prescription medications can result in:

There are a few factors that make prescription drug abuse more complex and potentially life-threatening, including:

If you or someone you know is concerned about prescription drug addiction, seeking support from a healthcare provider can help.

Stopping the use of some prescription drugs can result in withdrawal symptoms. In the case of depressant medications in particular, the withdrawal symptoms may even be life-threatening.

A provider or care team knowledgeable in addiction treatment can help a person taper down their prescription drug use, manage withdrawal symptoms, and provide behavioral treatment or therapy.

If a person who uses experiences a prescription drug overdose, it's considered an emergency. Prescription drug overdoses can be fatal.

If someone is experiencing any of the following signs or symptoms of an overdose, they need emergency medical care:

If you or someone you know begins to experience any of these signs of drug overdose, seek immediate medical care by calling 911 or going to the nearest emergency room. Healthcare providers may administer medication that can reverse the overdose for a short time (such as naloxone) and provide other life-saving treatment.

Some strong prescription medications are used to treat legitimate health conditions. However, their use can put some people at risk for addiction, depending on how they are used. When prescription medication is abused, it can impact day-to-day life and result in social, physical, and behavioral consequences.

Some of these signs and symptoms, particularly physical ones, can vary depending on the prescription medication. Knowing the signs can help identify whether you or someone who know may be experiencing addiction. Healthcare providers can be a source of support for those who wish to seek treatment for addiction. Overdosing on medication requires emergency medical care.

With the rise of potentially addictive prescription medications, it's essential to take any medications only as directed by a healthcare provider. Talk with your provider about any concerns or history of addiction to reduce your risk, or find alternative treatment methods. If you're worried about a loved one who may be experiencing a prescription drug addiction, knowing the signs can help you approach them with your concern and support them if and when they wish to seek addiction treatment.

Tetrault JM, Butner JL. Non-medical prescription opioid use and prescription opioid use disorder: a review. Yale J Biol Med. 2015;88(3):227-233.

Kim U, Kim N. Factors associated with prescription pain reliever misuse: an analysis of statewide data. J Am Pharm Assoc. 2019;59(4):498-505. doi:10.1016/j.japh.2019.03.009

National Institute on Drug Abuse. What classes of prescription drugs are commonly misused?

U.S. Department of Labor. Risk factors for opioid misuse, addiction, and overdose.

Prevention Solutions: Education Development Center. Preventing prescription drug misuse: overview of factors and strategies.

HelpGuide.org. Drug abuse and addiction.

Felicilda-Reynaldo R. Recognizing signs of prescription drug abuse and addiction, part I. Medsurg Nursing. 2014;23(6):391-396.

National Institute on Drug Abuse. Research report series: prescription drug abuse.

National Institute on Drug Abuse. How can prescription drug addiction be treated?.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Lifesaving naloxone.

National Institute on Drug Abuse. Prescription CNS depressants drug facts.

National Institute on Drug Abuse. Drug facts: prescription stimulants.

Thank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up.

There was an error. Please try again.