Prescription drug addiction is the world’s fastest-growing drug problem. After alcohol and marijuana, prescription medicines are the most widely abused drugs. Abuse includes:
- Taking the medication without a prescription
- Taking more than prescribed
- Utilizing it for a purpose other than the intended use
And prescription drug abuse knows no bounds. It affects people of all ages and walks of life. Prescription medications are becoming the go-to solution for a range of problems. Prescription drug misuse has risen in the world, from stressed-out college students to adults attempting to manage pain after an accident, the causes or catalysts for starting to take prescription drugs either within recommendations or beyond recommendations are varied and often complex.
The CDC reports that the United States is experiencing a prescription drug abuse pandemic. Drug abuse frequently leads to many safety hazards, including addiction and overdoses. The following are some of the most widely abused prescription medicines:
1. Vicodin, Lortab, And Lorcet:
They are opioids that also contain acetaminophen. Side effects of opioids are constipation and drowsiness. These opioids are designed to treat moderate to severe pain, they are pharmaceutical drugs made of the opioid hydrocodone and a non-opioid pain reliever acetaminophen. Hydrocodone alters how your body experiences and response to pain in the brain. Vicodin, Lortab, and Lorcet can also be used to treat fevers and other ailments.
High doses can induce life-threatening respiratory issues. Street names for Vicodin include “Vike” and “Watson-387.” If you stop taking opioid medications and feel sick, as if you have the flu, your body may become reliant on the drug and is experience withdrawal symptoms. Consult your doctor if you believe you require these medications for purposes other than pain treatment.
2. Benzodiazepines:
Benzodiazepines are another type of sedative that can aid with anxiety, panic attacks, and sleep problems. Examples include diazepam, clonazepam and alprazolam. They function well and are less dangerous than barbiturates. However, when Benzodiazepines are taken in excess, even when prescribed, the user can develop a physical dependence and addiction to the drug. Stopping these drugs can be hazardous. Consult your doctor if you believe you rely on these medications. Prescription medications should not be shared.
Benzodiazepines are central nervous system depressants. It can slow down brain and nervous system function. These medications are prescribed by doctors to treat sleeplessness, anxiety, and panic attacks. Diazepam (Valium), alprazolam (Xanax), lorazepam (Ativan), and clonazepam (Klonopin) are examples of Benzodiazepines that commonly prescribed but are also commonly abused.
Abusing them might result in dizziness, confusion, decreased coordination, impaired memory, and low blood pressure. When combined with alcohol, they increase the risk of respiratory issues and, in extreme cases, death.
3. Barbiturates:
Another class of central nervous system depressants is barbiturates. They are also sedatives or tranquilizers. Barbiturates are a class of medications known as sedative-hypnotics, which define their sleep-inducing and anxiety-reducing properties.
Barbiturates are particularly harmful since it is difficult to determine the correct dose. A small overdose might cause a coma or death. Pentobarbital (Nembutal) and secobarbital are examples of common barbiturates. These medications are used to treat seizures, anxiety, and sleeplessness.
4. Amphetamines:
One of the most commonly abused prescription medicines is amphetamines. They are stimulants prescribed by doctors to treat attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and narcolepsy. However, some people use amphetamines to get high, increase energy and alertness, or lose weight. And these pharmaceutical stimulants can lead to addiction.
High doses can result in dangerously high body temperatures, irregular heartbeats, and even cardiac arrest. Amphetamines are also known as “bennies,” “black beauties,” and “speed.” Dextroamphetamine (Dexedrine) and a mixture of amphetamine and dextroamphetamine are examples of common Amphetamines. Abusing or misusing these medicines can result in high blood pressure, seizures, a heart attack, a stroke, paranoia, aggression, and hallucinations.
5. Dextromethorphan:
Dextromethorphan is a typical component in cold and cough medications. Dextromethorphan works by reducing activity in the region of the brain responsible for coughing. It is available alone or in combination with antihistamines, cough suppressants, pain relievers, and decongestants.
Nyquil Cough is an excellent example of cough syrup containing dextromethorphan and an antihistamine. It provides effective cough alleviation during the night, allowing you to obtain the rest you require.
Dayquil Cough, on the other hand, has only DXM as an active component and provides up to 8 hours of non-drowsy cough relief, allowing you to get on with your day. It alleviates coughing. However, high amounts might create euphoria and hallucinations. Cough syrup is popular among teenagers since it is so common in pharmacies. High doses can also cause vomiting, a fast heartbeat, and in rare cases, brain damage.
6. Cough Medications:
Prescription cough treatments frequently contain opioids such as codeine and potent antihistamines. Abusing these products, like Vicodin, affects the central nervous system. Over-the-counter cough medications might sometimes cause complications. They frequently contain the stimulant dextromethorphan.
Too much can cause an increase in heart rate and blood pressure, as well as nausea, vomiting, dizziness, slurred speech, and paranoia. Keep in mind that “over-the-counter” does not imply “safe.” These products can cause an overdose.
Pain relievers, specifically opioids, are among the most widely abused prescription medications. These medications relieve pain. But in high quantities, they can produce a sense of euphoria and other highly hazardous adverse effects. Morphine is typically prescribed for severe pain, while codeine is prescribed for moderate pain or coughing.
7. Oxycontin:
Oxycodone is another opioid pain reliever. People who abuse oxycodone crush it, snort it, or inject it, dramatically increasing the danger of overdose. Street names for OxyContin include “oxy,” “oxy cotton,” and “perks” for Percocet or Percodan.
Oxycontin is a slow-release formulation of the opioid painkiller oxycodone. Because it has a long duration, doctors frequently prescribe it for chronic pain. However, it is frequently overused.
Oxycontin is highly addictive. When abusers crush it, it becomes incredibly hazardous. Crushing it ruins the timed-release formulation and releases massive amounts of narcotics that should have been delivered gradually over 12 hours. This form of abuse has the potential to be fatal.
Testing for prescription drugs is a great start to getting ahead of addiction and drug abuse. Prescription drugs are highly addictive and lax oversight or a delay in treatment or recognition of misuse can create dangerous situations for those abusing the drugs and for the people around them.
References:
- Condron, P. Prescription Drug Abuse Problem. Retrieved from www.drugabuse.com: https://drugabuse.com/prescription-drugs
- Gateway Foundation. Most Commonly Abused Prescription Drugs. Retrieved from www.gatewayfoundation.org:
- Georgia Center. Commonly Abused Prescription Drugs. Retrieved fromwww.georgiaaddictiontreatmentcenter.com: https://www.georgiaaddictiontreatmentcenter.com/rehab-blog/commonly-abused-prescription-drugs
- Recovery,D. THE MOST ABUSED PRESCRIPTION DRUGS. Retrieved from www.dreamliferecovery.com:
- Smith, M. W. The 10 Most-Prescribed and Top-Selling Medications. Retrieved from www.webmd.com:
