BeginAgain

Hi peanut. Just saw your post. I don't have alot of personal experience with OC but I do with other opiate based meds..I'll try to help. I suspect the signs and symptoms are similar.

Things like:
Running out of meds early - this is a biggie.
Excessive sleepiness...stupor like state.
Sometimes a runny nose or sinus problems.
Memory problems.
Disoriented.
Withdrawl symptoms that appear and then subside after the next refill. Withdrawl like body aches, sneezing, runny nose, sweating, chilling, goose flesh, stomach cramps, diarrhea, agitation, nervousness, restlessness, anxiety - flu like symptoms in general

I'm sure there are others. But keep in mind there are people who are physically dependent & build tolerance to their meds - and then there are addicts. Addicts tend to escalate their use, find new ways to get the drugs into their body (besides orally), crave the emotional numbness that comes from using, frequently run out of meds early, look for ways to get more meds from different doctors, pharmacies or street sources, mix other drugs, isolate themselves from others, etc.. you might do a search on oxycontin addiction and read as much as possible on the net.

We can't really tell you 100% how to establish that someone is addicted. It's different for everyone. The surest thing I can say is that at some point an addicts life and quality of life become seriously affected. Many times they don't see it for a while...usually until they reach a bottom which is different for everyone.

If you have concerns - talk to a professional or a doctor - there are questionnaires and tests that can help establish "addictive" behavior. And, there is help.

Hopefull some others will chime in here. I'm sure I've left some things out or have overlooked something. As I said..I don't have personal experience with OC..only life experience with other opiates and with other people who have abused OC.

Best of luck.