Prescription drugs designed to treat a variety of symptoms and conditions can also be highly addictive and dangerous to users. The rate of prescription drug addiction has increased in recent years, in part due to a higher number of prescriptions issued. The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) estimates that as many as 52 million Americans age 12 and up have used prescription drugs for nonmedical reasons at some point in their lives.
Dependency can develop even when a person is taking the substance as directed, prompting them to continue using the drug long after the treatment should have ended. Regular monitoring by medical staff is a must when these medications are prescribed. Others may take the substance for nonmedical reasons right from the beginning, becoming addicted to the intense “high” that can be achieved when these drugs are not used for diagnosed conditions. The mistaken belief that because they are legal, they must be safe, may fuel the choice to take these drugs whether they are medically necessary or not.
NIDA lists three basic types of prescription drugs that are frequently abused:
Opioids – These prescription narcotics are typically prescribed to treat both acute and chronic pain, but the substances are also highly addictive. The two most common opioids taken for nonmedical purposes are oxycodone, which is found in brand-name drugs like Vicodin and Percocet, and fentanyl.
CNS Depressants – Central nervous system (CNS) depressants are primarily used to treat anxiety and sleep disorders, but their addictive nature makes them dangerous whether taken for a medical condition or nonmedically. Benzodiazepines (Valium, Xanax and Ativan) are the most common drugs abused in this category, but addiction can also become a problem with non-benzodiazepine sleep medications like Ambien and Lunesta and barbiturates such as Mebaral and Luminal.
Stimulants – Prescriptions for these drugs are usually given to treat attention deficit disorders and less frequently, a sleep disorder known as narcolepsy. Brand names included in this category are Ritalin and Adderall. These substances have become known as “study drugs,” because students have begun taking them to improve their focus and alertness while studying for tests. However, nonmedical use of these drugs can be both addictive and dangerous.
When drugs are taken as prescribed, these side effects are usually minimal. However, when there is no condition to treat, the results of the substances can be much more intense and dangerous. The hazard is increased by the fact that users taking these drugs for nonmedical reasons often consume much more than the recommended dosage.
When taken for reasons outside of their intended use, these substances can have different effects depending on the category of drugs used.
The results of opioids might include:
Use of CNS depressants might result in the following symptoms:
Stimulants have the opposite effect as CNS depressants, resulting in some of the following effects:
When someone becomes dependent on a prescription drug, symptoms often appear that could indicate a problem. These might include:
When an addiction is suspected, it is vital to seek professional assistance as soon as possible. These drugs all have a high risk for overdose and other dangerous complications, especially when they are combined with other substances like alcohol.
Damage from long-term use of these substances will also vary depending on the type of drug used. Some of the more significant harm caused by these drugs might include:
Prescription drugs may seem safer than street drugs because they are prescribed by physicians. However, when these substances are taken for nonmedical reasons, they can be just as addictive and dangerous as any drug sold on the street. Now is the time to get you or someone you love the necessary help to overcome prescription drug addiction. Contact Serenity Oaks Wellness Center today at 844-720-6847.
