Explanations of Prescription Narcotic Abuse by Personality Traits

Narcotic drugs induce a pleasant and sedated sensation for users. For some individuals, these drugs are prescribed to reduce pain, perhaps subsequent to undergoing surgery. However, others misuse prescribed narcotics to alter their state of mind. This would be considered abuse. Abuse becomes clear when an individual’s ability to function decorously is impaired. An individual may experience financial, legal, or family and friend problems as a result. While abusing the narcotic, they may be incoherent and have slurred speech. The abuse of the drug can lead to dependency and, eventually, addiction. Now, without the drugs, the user may be unable to sleep, and their anxiety reaches highly significant levels. They cannot function throughout the day. In order to receive drugs such as Morphine, abusers may fabricate illness or pain in order to be prescribed the drug. To conceal their abuse, they may isolate themselves to prevent others from interfering. If someone attempts to intervene, the user may deny their drug use, and if this concerned individual persists, the abuser may distance himself or herself from them. Specific personality traits, such as being compulsive and paranoid, can make a person susceptible to narcotic abuse.
Compulsive individuals act according to their desire to avoid distress. As a means to accomplish this, they are more likely drawn to prescription narcotics. After experiencing the satisfaction offered by the drug, they will go to extreme lengths to obtain it. Lying to receive a prescription is common in these abusers. To prevent intervention, they are likely to lie repeatedly to their family, friends, peers, and physicians about their drug use. As the abuse becomes more severe, these fabrications are not only projected on others, but also on himself or herself. These individuals convince themselves that they are experiencing pain and in need of the narcotic, though they may not have any discomfort. They become somewhat of a pathological liar.