What could be a sign of a possible medication abuse problem in a patient?

Frequent requests for early refills and changing doctors can indicate potential medication abuse. This behavior may suggest that a patient is using their medication more than prescribed or is seeking multiple sources for the same prescription, which can lead to misuse. When a patient frequently seeks early medication refills, it raises concern because it deviates from the intended dosing schedule and may reflect a pattern of dependency or abuse. Additionally, changing doctors can signal that the patient is trying to conceal their medication use or obtain prescriptions without the oversight of a single healthcare provider who may identify the pattern of behavior. Together, these signs can serve as red flags for healthcare professionals to further assess the patient's medication use and overall health.