Signs Someone Is Abusing Prescription Drugs

The act of abusing prescription drugs is when the medication is used in a way not directed by the prescribing professional. This can mean taking more than prescribed, crushing, snorting, or injecting the medication, or taking a friend’s medication. Prescription drug abuse often leads to addiction, and sometimes can lead to both fatal and nonfatal overdose. Identifying signs that a loved one is abusing prescription drugs can help them get proper help to end addiction.

Most Abused Prescription Drugs

According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), there are four categories of commonly abused prescriptions. Within these four categories, there are different types that are abused. Abusing prescription drugs can lead to fatal consequences, even if they aren’t used very often. It is often seen in people who are prescribed these medications long term in order to treat chronic pain or anxiety that become dependent upon them.

Depressants

Prescription depressant drugs like benzodiazepines are among the most abused prescription drugs. This includes medications like Ativan, Valium, Xanax, Klonopin, Phenobarbital, and sleep medications like Ambien. The effects of abusing prescription drugs like these depressants can lead to physical dependence and addiction, and someone’s body may not be able to process the amount taken, leading to an overdose.

Opioids

Codeine, Methadone, Fentanyl, Oxycontin, Percocet, Dilaudid, and Vicodin are among the most commonly abused prescription 12>opioid drugs. The effects produced by these medications can lead users to seek these drugs for the purpose of feeling those effects.

Stimulants

Because stimulants like Adderall cause some people to have elevated energy levels among other effects, it adds to the desire for these drugs. Abusing prescription drugs like Adderall can be dangerous. These medications have side effects that should be monitored and discussed with a medical professional when taking them.

Signs Someone is Abusing Them

As previously stated, abusing prescription drugs often stems from tolerance to the prescribed level of the drugs. People with chronic pain that are prescribed opioid pain medications, for example, can begin to feel continued pain after taking the medications and then take more of the prescription. Doing this only leads to a higher tolerance. A sign to watch out for is whether the person taking the prescriptions runs out of the medications prior to the refill date. Another sign that could be indicative of abusing prescription drugs is using these drugs in combination with alcohol. The warning labels on most prescriptions state to not combine the medication with alcohol. This is often done in an attempt to heighten the effects of the prescriptions. If someone tries to stop taking the medication and ultimately cannot stop, this could be a sign they are abusing prescription drugs. This goes back to the tolerance and dependence that leads to addiction. When the body is accustomed to something being used daily and then the person stops using, the body then begins to experience withdrawal symptoms. These symptoms can be extremely uncomfortable for those experiencing them, which often leads to returning to use the drugs. Physically, these withdrawal symptoms are often a sign that someone is abusing prescription drugs. Other physical signs include lying and deceiving to gain more of the prescription drugs, sedation or being overly hyperactive, and financial difficulty stemming from the medications. Emotionally, there may be mood and behavior changes that can be indicative of prescription drug abuse. Psychological signs that someone is abusing prescription drugs can include 12>depression and anxiety.

Doctor Shopping and Prescription Drug Addiction

When it comes to doctor shopping, it is a sign of prescription drug abuse. Going to different doctors to receive the same or similar prescriptions in order to have excess amounts of medications is a major sign to look out for. This could be an indication that a loved one may be addicted to the drugs the doctors are prescribing. In order to prevent withdrawal symptoms while simultaneously achieving the desired euphoric high that the drugs often produce often leads someone to receive more than one prescription or illegally obtain them.

How and Why Treatment and Detox Work

When abusing prescription drugs leads to addiction, it is best to seek 12>professional help to detox and learn how to manage withdrawal symptoms. The withdrawal symptoms associated with dependence and addiction are uncomfortable and going through the withdrawal process comfortably increases the success rate of recovery. In addition, the person learns the tools needed to fight the cravings and urges that might lead back to addiction.

End Prescription Drug Abuse Now

Prescription drug abuse can be extremely dangerous and life-threatening. Getting better begins when the decision to stop the abuse of these drugs. If you or a loved one are struggling with prescription drug addiction, Louisville Addiction Center can help. We offer a safe and healing environment to begin a life of recovery. Our team of professionals is standing by to help guide you to the next chapter of life. 12>Contact us today.

Educational & Informational Use

The content published on Louisville Addiction Center blog pages is intended for general educational and informational purposes related to addiction, substance use disorders, detoxification, rehabilitation, mental health, and recovery support. Blog articles are designed to help readers better understand addiction-related topics and explore treatment concepts, but they are not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or individualized treatment planning.

Addiction and co-occurring mental health conditions are complex medical issues that affect individuals differently based on many factors, including substance type, length of use, physical health, mental health history, medications, age, and social environment. Because of this variability, information discussed in blog articles—such as withdrawal symptoms, detox timelines, treatment approaches, medications, relapse risks, or recovery strategies—may not apply to every individual. Reading blog content should not replace consultation with licensed medical or behavioral health professionals.

If you or someone you know is experiencing a medical or mental health emergency, call 911 immediately or go to the nearest emergency room. Emergencies may include suspected overdose, seizures, difficulty breathing, chest pain, severe confusion, hallucinations with unsafe behavior, loss of consciousness, suicidal thoughts, or threats of harm to oneself or others. Louisville Addiction Center blog content is not intended for crisis intervention and should never be used in place of emergency care.

Detoxification from drugs or alcohol can involve serious medical risks, particularly with substances such as alcohol, benzodiazepines, opioids, and certain prescription medications. Withdrawal symptoms can escalate quickly and may become life-threatening without proper medical supervision. Any blog content describing detox, withdrawal, or substance cessation is provided to raise awareness and encourage safer decision-making—not to instruct readers to detox on their own. Attempting self-detox without medical oversight can be dangerous and is strongly discouraged.

Blog articles may discuss various addiction treatment options, including medical detox, residential or inpatient rehab, outpatient programs, therapy modalities, medication-assisted treatment, aftercare planning, and recovery support services. These discussions reflect commonly used, evidence-informed approaches but do not represent guarantees of effectiveness or suitability for every person. Treatment recommendations should always be based on a comprehensive assessment conducted by licensed professionals.

Information related to insurance coverage, treatment costs, or payment options that appears within blog content is provided for general informational purposes only. Insurance benefits vary widely depending on the individual’s plan, carrier, state regulations, and medical necessity criteria. Coverage details may change without notice, and no insurance-related statements on blog pages should be interpreted as a promise of coverage or payment. Louisville Addiction Center encourages readers to contact our admissions team directly to verify insurance benefits and eligibility before making treatment decisions.

Some blog posts may reference third-party studies, external organizations, medications, community resources, or harm-reduction concepts. These references are provided for educational context only and do not constitute endorsements. Louisville Addiction Center does not control third-party content and is not responsible for the accuracy, availability, or practices of external websites or organizations.

Use of Louisville Addiction Center blog pages does not establish a provider–patient relationship. Submitting comments, contacting the center through a blog page, or reading articles does not guarantee admission to treatment or access to services. Recovery outcomes vary, and no specific results are promised or implied.

If you are struggling with substance use, withdrawal symptoms, or questions about treatment, we encourage you to seek guidance from licensed healthcare providers. For personalized information about treatment options or insurance verification, you may contact Louisville Addiction Center directly. For emergencies, call 911 immediately.

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→ Sources

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Healthy KY. (n.d.). Drug and alcohol statistics in Kentucky. Healthy Kentucky. https://www.healthyky.org/drug-and-alcohol-statistics-in-kentucky.html
Kentucky Office of Drug Control Policy. (n.d.). An assessment of Kentucky’s substance use disorder crisis. Commonwealth of Kentucky. https://odcp.ky.gov/
Kong, J. (2022). An assessment of alcohol use disorder and treatment [Research brief]. University of Louisville. https://louisville.edu/sphis/departments/cik/docs-and-pdfs-1/Kong_AUD_ResearchBrief_FINALADA.pdf
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. (2019). State profile: Kentucky—N-SSATS report. SAMHSA. https://www.samhsa.gov/data/sites/default/files/quick_statistics/state_profiles/NSSATS-KY19.pdf
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. (2024). Underage drinking prevention programs in Kentucky. SAMHSA. https://library.samhsa.gov/sites/default/files/kentucky-iccpud-state-report-2024.pdf
Wikipedia. (2025). Casey’s Law (Matthew Casey Wethington Act). In Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Casey%27s_Law

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Dr. Vahid Osman is a Board-Certified Psychiatrist and Addictionologist with extensive experience treating mental illness, chemical dependency, and developmental disorders. Dr. Osman trained in Psychiatry in France and in Austin, Texas. Read more.

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