Prescription Drug Addiction Facts

Overview

Prescription drug addiction affects millions of people on a daily basis. According to the Office of National Drug Control Policy, addiction and abuse of prescription drugs ranks second in the United States as the most serious drug problem aside from marijuana addiction. There are several reasons why people turn to prescription pain relievers, stimulants, sedatives and tranquilizers to satisfy their own needs and addiction.

Causes

One reason why someone abuses prescription drugs could be from a previous or present injury. If he was initially prescribed a heavy dose of pain killer and was not weaned off it properly, he could be reliant on it. Someone who has experienced a great deal of stress or trauma may initially be given a sedative to calm her nerves. If she was not given the proper followup care or therapy after a traumatic event, she may have become addicted to tranquilizers or mood-altering drugs. In some cases, the person addicted to the drugs could be feeding another addiction to street drugs, such as cocaine or marijuana, with the prescription drugs.

Types of Drugs

Some of the more addicting types of drugs tend to be those from the opioid family such as morphine, oxycodone and codeine. These tend to be the more intense pain killers, and coming off of them without being weaned can cause addiction. Prescription drugs that depress the central nervous system such as benzodiazepines and barbiturates can also be addicting. Some types of stimulants such as methylphenidate and dextroamphetamine can also appeal to those who have had a previous or current addiction to methamphetamine or cocaine.

Signs

There are signs that a drug abuser may give off that may be an indication he has a drug problem. Someone who visits multiple physicians trying to get excessive prescriptions, stealing prescriptions from a family members and friends, altering or forging prescriptions, buying prescription drugs on the street or ordering them from the Internet could be signs of drug abuse and addiction. He could also appear to be overly aggressive or moody or have a change in overall behavior. Another sign could be borrowing money, stealing money or selling personal items to gain funds to buy the drugs. Someone who disappears for days at a time or is continuously unaccounted for may also be abusing drugs.

Dangers

Some of the dangers other than the addiction itself is the effect it can have on someone both physically and emotionally. Physical dangers are that overuse or overdose of prescription drugs could lead to damage to vital organs such as the heart, liver and kidneys. In some cases, prescription drug abuse may lead to stroke, heart attack or brain damage. Emotional dangers could include loss of a job, loss of relationships and depression.

Treatment

Treatment for prescription drugs requires withdrawal from the substance. This doesn't mean the patient should go cold turkey without being under medical supervision. The withdrawal effects can be severe and, in some cases, life threatening. Rapid or accelerated heart rate, seizure and changes in body temperature are a few of the withdrawal symptoms that should be controlled and monitored in a hospital inpatient unit or an inpatient drug rehabilitation facility.