Pain medication is meant to help people tolerate high levels of discomfort and help patients who suffer from chronic pain to continue living a somewhat normal life. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, a patient abuses pain medication by taking it without a physician's prescription or taking in a dosage other than that which it was prescribed.
Tolerance and Withdrawal
A person who abuses pain medication such as Vicodin or OxyContin can build up a tolerance for the drug. This means the person must take an increased dose to feel the effects. The National Institute of Drug Abuse reports that someone who takes prescription medication should be monitored while withdrawing from it. When a person who has been abusing the medication no longer has access to it, he might experience withdrawal symptoms, which include restlessness, sleep issues, stomach problems, cold flashes and muscle and bone pain.
Occupational Issues
A person who abuses pain medication may experience occupational issues. Opioids, the most commonly abused type of pain medication, may make a person feel happy or create a sense of well-being, but they can also cause drowsiness and constipation. If taken while working, a person may not be able to concentrate, stay awake or complete projects on time, which can lead to demotion or termination. People who are dependent on pain medication may spend large sums of money on drugs. If they do not have jobs to support their drug habits, they might spend their savings or engage in reckless behavior to obtain the drugs.
Social Issues
People who abuse drugs usually have difficulty maintaining relationships. Friends and family members who become aware of the drug abuse problem may distance themselves from the person or completely cut off contact. Families can be torn apart, and children can be neglected due to drug abuse.
Death
According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, a large dose of pain medication can cause respiratory depression and death.
