Indicators of Drug Seeking Behavior
The best way to avoid drug seeking behavior is to check the Controlled Substances Monitoring Database (CSMD)
For more suggestions specific to physicians, please visit our SCAD health team website.
Indicators of Drug Seeking Behavior
Typical requests and complaints
Aggressively complaining about a need for a drug
Asking for specific drugs by name
Asking for brand names
Requesting to have the dose increased
Claiming multiple allergies to alternative drugs
Anger or irritability when questioned closely about symptoms such as pain
Inappropriate self-medicating
Taking a few extra, unauthorized doses on occasion
Hoarding drugs
Using a controlled substance for non-pain relief purposes (e.g. to enhance mood, aid sleep)
Injecting an oral formulation
Inappropriate use of general practice
Visiting multiple doctors for controlled substances (doctor shopping)
Frequently calling the clinic
Frequent unscheduled clinic visits for early refills
Consistently disruptive behavior when arriving at the clinic
Consistently calling outside of clinic hours or when a particular doctor who prescribes controlled substances is on call
Resistant behavior
Unwilling to consider other drugs or non-drug treatments
Frequent unauthorized dose escalations after being told that it is inappropriate
Unwilling to sign controlled substances agreement
Refusing diagnostic workup or consultation
Manipulative or illegal behavior
Claiming to be on a waiting list for, or unable to afford, dental work and needing to manage dental pain
Obtaining controlled drugs from family members (including stealing from older relatives)
Using aliases
Forging prescriptions
Pattern of lost or stolen prescriptions
Selling drugs
Obtaining controlled drugs from illicit sources
Other typical behaviors
Being more concerned about the drug than a medical problem
Deterioration at home or work or reduction of social activities because of adverse drug effects
From Dealing with drug-seeking behavior. Adapted with permission from The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners. Prescribing drugs of dependence in general practice, Part A – Clinical governance framework. Melbourne: RACGP, 2015.http://www.racgp.org.au/your-practice/guidelines/drugs-of-dependence-a [cited 2016 May 1]