Knowing what the main signs of Demerol use are, you might possibly be able to help those who have an addiction problem. This medication is a pain killer, and is sometimes used to treat depression issues in individuals who have certain conditions. The drug has also been used for certain patients who have adhd, or other conditions or learning disabilities. Regardless of the prescription, or what the drug is given to patients for, certain individuals will use the drug to get high, and will easily overdose on the medication, as opposed to using it for its intended purposes. If you know someone who is on the drug, you should look for certain signs of Demerol use, in order to be able to assist them if you do feel the person may be using the medication for reasons other than its intended use.
Some of the common signs of Demerol use are similar to those of other addictions. Some things to look out for are: loss of memory, short term memory, change of mood, inability to breath, shortness of breath, headaches, or other problems might also occur with certain individuals who are using the medication and are abusing it. By knowing what to look for, and by knowing what signs are most common, you may be able to help those who you feel might be taking the medication as a recreational drug, as opposed to a medicinal drug, which it is actually intended to be. So, looking for these signs of Demerol use, or any other inconsistent behaviors, are things that you should do as a family member or friend of someone you know to be using this medication.
It can be very dangerous if an overdose does occur; as with any other addiction, this one is very serious, and can be worse than a street drug addiction, due to the nature of the medication. Additionally, since it is so easy to get a hold of, it can become quite a dangerous addiction if the problem is not taken care of immediately, and if the signs of Demerol use are not talked about as soon as possible. You have to talk to the individual if you feel they do have a problem with addiction, and are using the drug for purposes other than as a medication; the sooner you step in and talk to them, and inquire about the signs of Demerol use you have noticed, the more likely it is you will reach them, and possibly have the opportunity to help them past their addiction.
As with any other addiction, many users are not going to admit, or will be reluctant to admit they have a problem. So, as a family member or friend, if you do notice any unusual signs of Demerol use, or if you think the individual might have a problem, you have to inquire as to that problem, and you have to try and get them to open up to you, so that you can help them through the problem.