Do you know someone who is addicted to prescription drugs? It may be family member, a co-worker or a friend. Perhaps that person is YOU! In many cases, people don't know they have crossed the line from taking a prescription drug to abusing a prescription drug. Usually, this oversight is because the drug is considered ?legal? and was prescribed by a doctor.

In fact, many of the people treated in rehabilitation centers today are treated for addiction to prescription drugs. Addiction to prescription drugs is as prevalent, if not more so, than addiction to illegal drugs and alcohol.

If you or your friend or family member have begun to use the drug more often and in greater doses than what is prescribed by the doctor, if you find yourself running out of the prescription before your pharmacist will refill it, if you have gone to more than one doctor to duplicate your prescription so you don't have to explain your usage, if you are getting your prescription drugs from someone other than a doctor ? you probably should seek help!

Addiction to any substance is characterized by continued use of a substance in spite of the threat or existence of physical, psychological, personal or social harm or damage.

When your drug addiction becomes psychological and physical, your brain responds to the chemical you introduce and you feel high or rejuvenated, or perhaps you feel calmer or the drug helps you sleep. Your senses may be distorted and your balance and speech may become impaired.

If your brain becomes dependent on these prescription drugs and adapts to their presence, it no longer sustains a normal level of dopamine or endorphins. As your body adjusts to a certain dose of these chemicals, you require more and more of the drug to sustain the same high or effect.

Drug addiction is also evident by the symptoms of withdrawal when you stop taking the prescription drug or when you try to reduce the amount of drugs you are taking. Depending on the prescription drug you are taking, you may become sleepy or irritable, you may find it difficult to sleep or you may have a seizure when you stop taking the drug or reduce the dosage. Whatever your symptoms, you are bound to have a craving for the drug and this craving may be physical as well as emotional.

If you, or your friend or family member are truly addicted to a prescription drug, you will need help to break the addiction.

Women are more likely to become addicted to prescription drugs, simply because they are twice as likely to be given a prescription for a sedative, sleeping medication or pain medication. The greatest increase in the use of prescription drugs and in associated drug addiction is in the 18-25 year old age group.

If you, your family member or your friend exhibit any of the following symptoms, you should seek medical advice:

The drug is the only thing that relieves anxiety

The drug causes mood changes

The medication provides an artificial calm or feeling of self-confidence

The medication causes increased sensitivity to light or sound or causes hallucinations

Diet or sleep patterns have changed since the medication was prescribed

The original dosage no longer provides the same effect

The frequency of the medication dosage has increased and is still increasing

When the dosage or frequency are decreased, or the medication is stopped, unpleasant symptoms occur (physical and/or psychological symptoms and discomfort)