Are You Taking Too Many Pain Meds? 5 Signs To Watch Out For
There are plenty of news headlines warning the public of the risks of opioids and benzodiazepines (“benzos”). Yet, there are still very good reasons why doctors prescribe these drugs — to treat acute pain from an injury or as part of cancer treatment.
Medication dependency commonly arises when an elective surgery is put on hold for an indefinite period of time, or when a patient isn’t given a proper plan for tapering their opioid or benzo use. Prescribing doctors aren’t always trained to monitor and taper opioids and benzodiazepines usage safely. This process takes a lot of time and expertise that many physicians lack.
As a result, it’s all too easy to become dependent on opioids or benzos by accident. Medication dependency can creep up on a patient over time — especially in situations where an MD has prescribed the drug, creating the perception that it’s “safe” to continue taking indefinitely. Here are five signs that you or someone you love may be taking too many pain meds — and what to do if you’re concerned.
1. You’re not yourself
Opioid dependency can lead to changes in your personality, mood swings, impulsive actions, and impair your ability to make decisions. Some patients report needing to withdraw from social activities that they used to enjoy. Other symptoms include feeling jittery or nervous, or experiencing big emotional swings that are sudden and out-of-character.
A big red flag, according to one doctor, is feeling angry or irritated if a friend or family member brings up your pain medication use. If you feel defensive when someone asks you about your prescription use, beware that you may be developing a dependency.
2. You’re struggling with sleep
Changes in your sleep habits can also be a sign that you’re taking too many pain meds. Chronic insomnia is one symptom, and so is falling asleep at inappropriate times.
Some patients find that opioids can make them feel drowsy, and will reach for prescription painkillers to help them fall asleep at night. Opioids lead to low-quality sleep, and using these painkillers as a sleep aid can also increase the likelihood that you’ll become dependent on them over time. “Opioids lower the rate of REM and slow-wave sleep necessary for restful, recharging sleep,” Yili Huang, DO, director of the Pain Management Center at Northwell Phelps Hospital told SingleCare.
Benzos, too, are shown to increase the risk of sleep disorders over time. Instead of reaching for prescription medication to deal with insomnia, try meditation and other mindfulness practices.
3. You’re taking a different amount than prescribed
It’s a common assumption that medication dependency manifests as taking more of the opioid or benzo that’s been prescribed. However, taking a smaller dose of the medication can also be a warning sign. “Do you stretch out the time between doses or shrink some doses you take so you can take more later? If you’re trying to control how you take your painkillers instead of following your doctor’s instructions, you may have a problem,” says WebMD.
Messing around with your dose can lead to problems down the road, as withdrawal symptoms often mimic signs of dependency. Withdrawal symptoms are actually sometimes worse than taking the medication, physiologically speaking. Attempting to quit opioids cold-turkey can lead dependent patients to feel excruciating pain, as well as experience “severe psychological distress and thoughts of suicide,” according to the Department of Health and Human Services.
4. You feel zombie-like
Dependence on benzodiazepines is slightly different from opioid pain medication dependency — but no less serious. Bezos are commonly prescribed to treat anxiety, panic attacks, insomnia, seizures, and other conditions. They often get prescribed in tandem with opioids, especially to cancer patients or those undergoing elective surgeries.
Benzo dependency manifests in several physical symptoms: slurred speech, confusion, poor judgment, blurred vision, compromised motor skills, and dizziness. Insomnia, headaches, memory problems, and tremors can develop with long-term benzo dependency.
5. You look for the same prescription from different doctors
“Doctor-shopping” is a more serious sign of medication dependency that involves visiting different doctors to get more prescriptions for the same drug. It’s an illegal practice, yet some patients will try to manipulate the system to try to increase their supply of painkillers. If you or a loved one is visiting different medical practices in an effort to stockpile prescription painkillers, seek help in finding other solutions for managing your pain.
Many patients may know that opioids and benzos are not a long-term solution, but abruptly stopping opioids is also not a viable option. A 2019 study of patients on opioids for chronic pain found that discontinuing opioids was actually associated with an increased risk of overdose death.
If you’re worried that you might be taking too many pain meds, start with Skyler Health’s pain medication dependency assessment. This free assessment can help you better understand your relationship with prescription medications. If you need help, Skyler Health offers a comprehensive telehealth solution delivered by licensed counselors and tailor-made to address these issues.
