Symptoms of prescription drug addiction – tablet dependence
Prescription drug addiction is a serious health problem that occurs both as a result of improper use of medications prescribed by a doctor and reaching for over-the-counter substances. Addiction is not only a physical dependence on a given substance but also a psychological need to take it, despite negative health and social consequences.
Symptoms of medication addiction can vary depending on the type of substance taken, the duration of use, and the individual predispositions of the addicted person. There are characteristic symptoms indicating a potential problem with medication abuse:
Increased tolerance – An addicted person may notice that the initial dose of the medication no longer produces the expected effect, leading to a gradual increase in dosage.
Withdrawal symptoms – When a person tries to stop using the medication, they may experience unpleasant physical and psychological symptoms such as headaches, anxiety, sleep problems, and a strong urge to resume taking the substance.
Taking medications despite negative effects – An addicted person continues taking medications despite noticing the side effects of their behaviour, ignoring the doctor's recommendations and warnings.
Changes in behaviour and daily functioning – Excessive focus on obtaining medications may appear, along with neglecting other responsibilities and isolating from loved ones.
Characteristics of a person addicted to medication
A person addicted to medication may show changes in behaviour and relationships with their surroundings. They begin to rely excessively on medications, treating them as the only way to cope with physical or psychological ailments, emotions, or life problems. The life of a person addicted to medication can become dominated by the need to obtain and take medications, leading to isolation and gradual neglect of daily responsibilities such as work, education, relationships, or interests.
In interpersonal relationships, an addicted person may become withdrawn and closed off. They may also have difficulty maintaining emotional stability, which affects their interactions with others, both in the family and at work, school, or in their immediate surroundings. Addicted individuals often feel shame or guilt arising from their condition. This can lead to isolation or avoidance of help. Conversation and support from those around them and loved ones are very important for recognising a potential problem and making the decision to seek treatment.
Is it possible to become addicted to sleeping pills?
Sleeping pills, especially those belonging to the benzodiazepine group or non-benzodiazepines (so-called "Z-drugs"), can lead to the development of addiction with long-term or improper use. Initially, a person may take the medication to solve sleep problems, but with prolonged use, tolerance to the substance may develop, causing the desire to increase the dose to achieve the desired effect.
Using medication contrary to its intended purpose, independently increasing the dose, or taking the substance more frequently than recommended can lead to the development of addiction – such behaviour poses a risk of health complications and falling into addiction.
Symptoms of sleeping pill addiction include features typical of abuse of other medicinal substances, including the need to take the medication in increasingly larger doses, psychological attachment to the medication, and withdrawal symptoms when attempting to stop taking it. An additional symptom characteristic of sleeping substance addiction is the inability to fall asleep without taking the medication, even in cases where there is no medical indication for its use.
Addiction to sleeping pills is often trivialised, but it is a problem that requires specialist intervention and appropriate treatment.
