Inform your M.D. if you drank or used drugs heavily in your teens or twenties, or if you have a history of childhood trauma, an addicted parent or sibling, or a mental illness. Your doc may want to consider other, nonaddictive meds or alternative therapies (such as yoga or exercise) to treat an injury or chronic pain, or monitor your opioid use more closely.

Especially worried that you could get hooked? Ask someone to dole out your pills when you need them so you can’t take more than prescribed. This person should also have your permission to speak up if she sees you behaving in ways that seem risky, such as frequently talking about the meds.

Related: Could This Controversial Treatment Help More People Beat Heroin Addiction?

Many cases of opioid misuse start with people using medication that wasn’t prescribed for them—they often get it from a friend or family member. Put your prescriptions in a safe place (like a lock box or small safe), especially if teens and young adults, who are more susceptible to abuse, are around.

Source: 6 Ways To Avoid Getting Hooked On Prescription Pain Killers