What are the signs that someone is addicted to pain medication?

Increased demand: Although the demand may come from pain or worsening pain, the medications may be habit forming. "lying" about the amount taken, "losing" pills, taking more than prescribed, and sometimes getting an additional doctor to "double prescribe" are all signs of potential problems.

Cravings are a sign: If a person craves the pill and is not willing to consider either doing without, or trying to locate the source of the problem and finding an appropriate treatment, then there is a good chance addiction is at play. There are no reputable studies justifying the long term use of opioids for non-cancer pain. Full stop.