Need Help?

Do you have a prescription painkiller or other drug abuse problem?

Although prescription medications have different physical effects, the symptoms of their abuse and addiction are similar.

Common signs of drug abuse:

• You’re neglecting your responsibilities at work, school, or home because of your drug use.
• You’re using drugs under dangerous conditions or taking risks while high, such as driving while on drugs.
• Your drug use is getting you into legal trouble such as stealing to support a drug habit.
• Your drug use is causing problems in your relationships, such as arguments with your partner or family members and loss of friends.

Common signs of drug addiction:

• You’ve built up a drug tolerance, meaning you need more of the drug to experience the same effects.
• You take drugs to avoid or relieve withdrawal symptoms. Withdrawal symptoms may include jitters, anxiety, muscle cramps, nausea and vomiting, and diarrhea.
• You’ve stopped participating in activities you once enjoyed.
• You continue to use drugs even when you realize they could be causing problems.
• Your life revolves around drug use.

Get Help – Finding Treatment Resources and Other Services

Recognizing that you have a drug problem is the first step in getting better. Asking for help is the second step:

Visit the Minnesota Department of Human Services

Search the state’s comprehensive listing of Minnesota-based community programs and social services for help near you.

Find the nearest Narcotics Anonymous meetings.

Narcotics Anonymous (NA) is an international network of community-based meetings for those recovering from drug addiction. Modeled after Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), NA is a 12-step program with a defined process for overcoming narcotic addiction.

See Treatment Options to learn about common types of treatment available for opioid addiction.