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Prescription painkillers are very common—so common, in fact, that a few years ago, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimated that America may have as many full bottles of the painkillers as they do citizens. But these drugs are also dangerously addictive: In 2014, as many as 2 million people abused or were dependent on opioids.
Have you been prescribed painkillers and are you concerned that you could be at risk? Your doctor should be your first and most important resource, but the below list of questions, adapted from a longer list from the National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence, can give you some additional perspective. If you’ve answered “yes” to any of them, then now is the time to call the doctor.
- Have you used drugs other than those required for medicinal reasons?
- Are you always able to stop using drugs when you want to?
- Have you used prescription drugs at higher doses than recommended or needed to obtain a new prescription before the due date?
- Have you had “blackouts” or “flashbacks” as a result of drug use?
- Do you ever feel bad or guilty about your drug use?
- Has drug use created problems between you and your spouse or your parents?
- Have you ever experienced withdrawal symptoms (felt sick) when you stopped taking drugs?
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