Prescription Drug Addiction and Treatment
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Prescription Drugs are medications that are prescribed to a patient for medical treatment. Prescription drugs are legally approved medications and they're regulated by law requiring a prescription in order to be obtained by the patient. Most people don't abuse prescription drugs but around 20% or more of the population does.
Prescription drug abuse is becoming more widespread throughout the United States and adolescents as young as 12 years of age are using them for nonmedical reasons just to get high.
Some of the prescription drugs that are abused today are narcotic painkillers, tranquilizers, sedatives, and stimulants. People in all age groups abuse prescription drugs for the intention of getting high and experiencing euphoria. Unfortunately there are many dangerous and serious consequences both physically and psychologically when an individual chooses to misuse prescription drugs.
Prescription drug abuse is dramatically increasing among teens and young adults for the purpose of getting high. Elderly Americans misuse prescription drugs because of misunderstanding the labels or because of not following the directions carefully.
The most commonly used prescription drugs that are abused throughout the United States are Opioids, CNS Depressants, and Stimulants.
Opioids are prescribed to treat pain and many people in all age groups abuse painkillers because of the euphoria they experience during use. Prescription pain medications can be purchased illegally on the streets very easily today. Sometimes people get prescriptions by going from doctor to doctor which is called doctor shopping to get their prescriptions drugs.
The internet is another way prescription drugs can be obtained through illegal pharmacies. Opioids are very addictive and the user risks addiction, withdrawal symptoms, overdose, HIV, other infectious diseases and possible death.
When a person chooses to abuse pain pills they rarely take small doses, they use large doses which can lead to addiction after repeated use. Prescription painkillers are either taken orally, crushed and snorted or liquefied and injected. Sometimes addicts will take prescription painkillers and use heroin at the same time. This is extremely dangerous and can lead to overdose or even death. It's just as dangerous to mix prescription opioids with other drugs or alcohol but many people do and they're risking overdose and death. Many lives have been lost because of mixing prescription pain medications together or combining them with alcohol.
CNS Depressants are prescribed to patients to treat anxiety and problems with sleep. CNS (central nervous system) depressants slow down the activity in your brain which produces a drowsy and calming effect, this helps the patient calm down their anxiety and helps the individual relax and fall asleep. CNS Depressants are addictive and the user risks addiction, withdrawal symptoms, overdose and possible death.
There are 3 categories that CNS depressants fall into, barbiturates, benzodiazepines and sleep medications.
Prescription Barbiturates are prescribed for certain forms of epilepsy. The medications prescribed for some types of epilepsy are Mebaral and Nembutal. On the streets those who abuse barbiturates refer to them as barbs, reds, red birds, phennies, tooies, yellows, or yellow jackets.
Prescription Benzodiazepines or prescribed for acute stress, panic attacks, convulsions, and sleep disorders. Valium, Xanax, and ProSom are the common drugs prescribed to individuals suffering from the above symptoms. On the streets benzodiazepines are referred to as candy, downers, sleeping pills or tranks.
Prescription Sleep medications are prescribed for patients suffering from sleep-disorders. Ambien, Sonata and Lunesta are the common drugs prescribed for sleep disorders. On the streets prescription sleep medications are referred to as A-minus or zombie pills.
Stimulants are prescribed for the treatment of narcolepsy and ADHD. The most commonly prescribed medications for treating ADHD are Adderall, Ritalin and Concerta. Prescribed medications for treating ADHD improves attention, focus and calms the individual down. Stimulants also decrease a person's appetite and sometimes are used to help a person lose weight.
People who intend on abusing stimulants for their euphoric effects crush them and then snort or inject them after dissolving them in water.
Cocaine, methamphetamine and amphetamines are all stimulant drugs that are abused for their euphoric effects by people of all ages. There are very serious consequences when abusing stimulants and using them in high doses. The risks vary depending on the stimulant drug that's been abused, the duration of abuse, and the intensity of use.
Prescription Drugs are necessary for legitimate medical treatment and are very successful too. Unfortunately people misuse and abuse them and the consequences are very serious. Substance abuse treatment programs are available to help the individuals in need of detox and rehabilitation, recover from their addiction to prescription drugs.
