Abuse of prescription drugs could be addictive

• April 25, 2024

When someone tells us that a person we know is addicted to drugs, sometimes it is hard to believe. Maybe because we imagine an addict individual as someone who smokes marijuana, injects heroin and has marks on his arms.

It is not always the case. An addicted person can be by our side; Be a friend, partner, colleague, relative or acquaintance. It's about people who abuse drugs, who misuse a drug illicit substance , medicated or not, to obtain certain pleasant effects more than medical ones.

Most people who use prescription drugs do not become addicted. But there are many who curiously experiment with the drug increasing the dose or the frequency of use to reach that feeling of relief. The victims of this curiosity are usually young people who can start at ages as early as 12 years old. This drug abuse is very common nowadays and has been a serious problem that needs immediate action.

The 3 most abused prescription drugs

Not all prescription drugs are easily addictive. Following the prescriptions of the doctor there will be no problem or we will become dependent or addicted. However, there are certain drugs that are easy to get hooked on. To make it easier, they can be grouped into three different types: Depressants, Pain Medication (Opioids) and Stimulants.

Depressants

The Central Nervous System depressants are drugs usually prescribed for medical purposes. They are used as tranquilizers or sedatives to treat sleep disorders and anxiety. What they contain are benzodiazepines such as alprazolam, chlordiazepoxide, temazepam, lorazepam, clonazepam, and barbiturates such as mepobarbital. These substances give the brain the ability to function slowly.

However, it is not advisable to mix certain substances when they are taken as unwanted effects may occur. An example would be alcohol. If the user combined the benzodiazepines with alcohol he would not only feel more drowsy and unmanageable, but could have a addictive effect. What's worse, this combination could decrease heart rate and breathing to death.

Opioids

Opioids are painkillers prescribed to patients suffering from acute or unbearable pain, who suffer from chronic conditions, usually prescribed after surgery. These drugs can also cause euphoria even in low and controlled doses. Opioids contain meperidine, hydromorphone, hydrocodein, propoxyphene, morphine or codeine.

The most common side effects when using this type of drug are: vomiting, slow breathing, nausea, constipation, dizziness, headaches, sweating, drowsiness, and dry mouth. Overdose can cause death.

Stimulants

Stimulants intensify anxiety, alertness and awareness in addition to increasing energy. In fact they are the opposite of depressants. Stimulant drugs are used to treat disorders such as narcolepsy and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. This can cause a increase in respiration and pulse or and give the user a euphoric effect. Even with the right prescription, it manages to be addictive for some. It can make the addict feel good and safe, because of the feeling of being alert and active. Getting to the top of these states can cause excessive fatigue and hostility, depression, paranoia, causing blood vessels to rupture, sleep disorders and tachycardia that can lead to heart failure and heart disease.

People prone to prescription drug abuse

We can all be prone to prescription drug abuse. The National Institute of Drug Abuse has classified the four most vulnerable groups.

First would be adolescents and young adults. This group is the first at risk of falling into the abuse of controlled medicines. Usually it starts with a normal recipe however, young as they are, their curiosity is triggered when they feel the side effects.

A study in 2007 shows that 12% of the population between 12 and 17 years old confessed that they had tried, or continually used prescription drugs for other purposes than doctors. The most common prescriptions are Vicodin and Oxycontin.

Then come the old people , second of the most likely to develop drug addictions.The reason is that older people sometimes have complications to follow the instructions of prescribed medications. Beyond that, they are usually prescribed to take higher doses and for longer periods of time.

It is thought that those who work in health care are smart enough not to abuse prescription drugs; however, that is a mistake. Doctors, pharmacists and nurses can abuse drugs. In fact, they have easier access to drugs in their work.

Everyone We can develop addiction to prescribed drugs. The best way to prevent it is to be aware of it and follow the prescriptions strictly. If you think that the dose or frequency of use is not enough, it is best to consult the doctor to remedy it.

Video Medicine: Teenage Prescription Addiction: The Role the Medical System Plays (April 2024).