What Signs of Misuse or Dependence Should a Parent Be Alert For?
Signs of misuse can include drowsiness, nausea, constipation, slowed breathing and slurred speech. You should be concerned if your child is asking for pain medication more frequently than prescribed, or if he/she is insistent on refilling the prescription. If necessary, the prescriber should be consulted to determine if pain is persisting beyond its expected term.
Signs of withdrawal –- which would occur if a child has become dependent on an opioid and then stops taking it –- include anxiety, irritability, loss of appetite, craving for the drug, runny nose, sweating, vomiting and diarrhea.
If you are concerned that your child may be dependent on pain medication, consult the prescriber (who may in turn consult with a pain specialist), and they should also consider having a substance use counselor complete an assessment. An assessment should include a thorough look at the extent of your child’s drug and alcohol use, his/her mental and physical health as well as personal, medical and family history.
https://drugfree.org/parent-blog/parents-know-opioids-pain-relievers-prescribed-child/
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Photo source: WebMD