Drug-seeking behavior

Drug-seeking behavior refers to actions taken by individuals to obtain medications, often opioids or other controlled substances, outside appropriate medical contexts. This behavior can include frequent doctor visits, requesting early refills, or attempting to obtain prescriptions from multiple providers. It may stem from dependence, addiction, or attempts to manage unmanaged pain. Healthcare providers monitor for such behaviors to distinguish legitimate medical needs from patterns indicating misuse or abuse, aiming to balance effective pain management with preventing substance abuse.