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...
Prescription drug addiction is an increasingly common problem in the United States, including among adolescents. For example, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates 20 percent of high school students have taken a prescription...
Narcotic painkillers, central nervous system depressants, such as sedatives and tranquilizers and stimulants are some of types of prescription drugs that can become addictive. Although these drugs are usually prescribed to treat chronic pain,...
Many patients are first exposed to prescription drugs after a severe injury or surgery that requires a stronger form of medication than those available over-the-counter. Some patients become accustomed to the relief they experience and continue to...
According to the website Help Guide, drug addiction is the "repeated and excessive use of chemical substances to achieve the same effect." These substances can include alcohol, prescription medications and illegal street drugs such as heroin or...
Though most people use medications responsibly, prescription drug abuse is a growing public health problem in America. Approximately 20 percent of the population has used prescription medications for non-medical purposes, according to the National...
Morphine is a prescription drug used to treat pain, often after surgery. It works by activating the brain's reward center and alleviating pain. The Partnership for a Drug-Free America says that morphine is manufactured as a tablet, syrup,...
More than 23 million people in the United States are drug or alcohol addicts, reports the University of Texas. In Texas alone, more than 50,000 people entered drug and alcohol treatment centers in 2003. Drug use increases the incidence of crimes...
An estimated 20 percent of people in the United States have used prescription drugs for reasons other than those they were originally prescribed for, reports the National Library of Medicine. Any use of a prescription drug beyond the medical...
Drug addiction extends beyond illegal substances such as cocaine and heroine. You can also become addicted to medications legally prescribed by a doctor. Prescription drug addiction can be as damaging to you and your loved ones as any other drug...
In recent years, prescription drug addiction has been on the rise. Vicodin is a prescription pain-reliever that is frequently abused. As with any opiate, Vicodin can become addictive over a relatively short period of time. If you suddenly stop...
Prescription drug abuse is on the rise with teens. Some teens abuse prescription medication at parties to feel high, some take them to deal with untreated mental health issues, such as anxiety or depression and some teens pop pills to concentrate...
Drug and alcohol addiction is complex and has a significant impact on the individual struggling with the disorder as well as those closest to him. Drug Addiction Support notes that many living with substance addiction believe the problem affects...
Whether you are discontinuing a strong prescription drug or have an addiction to street drugs, you might need help detoxing your body from the effect of the drug and supporting the life changes you are making. Herbal teas might help relieve...
Oxycontin is a prescription medication with the main ingredient oxycodone. The medication mimic natural compounds found naturally in opium, according to MedlinePlus. Side effects are similar to other opium-based drugs such as morphine or codeine,...
Prescription drug abuse is a growing problem in the United States, according to the National Institute of Drug Abuse, which states that approximately 20 percent of the population has misused prescription drugs at some point in their lifetimes....
Doctors face growing challenges treating infant addicts and their mothers. In 2010 Maine's two largest hospitals reported treating or observing 276 infants for neonatal abstinence syndrome -- withdrawal from opiates to which they were exposed in...
Dealing with a spouse who is addicted to prescription drugs and alcohol is extremely challenging. Many addicts exhibit behavior when they are intoxicated that is not normal for them and creates stress, anger and fear in a relationship. If your...
Substance abuse can refer to alcoholism, illegal drug use, overuse of prescription drugs and addiction to nicotine. The causes can be behavioral, genetic, psychological and biochemical. The more complex the mix of causes for the addiction, the...
Opioids, also known as pain medications, are some of the most abused types of prescription medications, according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA). Many people rely on pain killers to relieve pain after surgeries or to manage pain...
It is possible to become addicted to prescription medications. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, the most addictive prescription medications are opioids, central nervous system (CNS) depressants and stimulants. Most people taking...
Just because a substance was obtained legally or has a legitimate medical use does not mean that it cannot be abused. When not used properly, use of prescription drugs can lead to major health problems, addiction and death. Prescription drugs can...
Drug addiction is a major concern for communities, families and individuals. Everyone from adults to children can suffer the consequences of a drug addiction, whether illegal drugs or prescription medications. Drug addiction is defined as a...
Today more teens in America and around the world are abusing prescription drugs. According to a recent study reported on by Theantidrug.com, there has been a 300 percent increase in teenage prescription drug addicts since 1995. In 2006, over 2.1...
Adderall, a prescription medication that is used to treat both ADHD and narcolepsy, is classified as an amphetamine. That means it's also addictive when abused or taken for an extended period of time. That's why it's important to follow your...
The National Drug Threat Assessment 2010 report released by the National Drug Intelligence Centre (NDIC) states that opioid pain relievers such as hydromorphone, codeine, meperidine and fentanyl are some of the most commonly abused prescription...
Doctors and health professionals train to administer prescription drugs because of the possible dangers. Although prescription drugs provide many health benefits in treating illnesses, when misused, prescription drugs can lead to serious health...
Prescription drug abuse is a rapidly growing health problem in the United States. The National Institute on Drug Abuse reports that an estimated 20 percent of the population in the United States has used prescription drugs for nonmedicinal...
Phenobarbital belongs to a group of drugs known as barbiturates. They are primarily used to treat seizure disorders by slowing down activity in the brain and central nervous system. Phenobarbital is also used also to treat insomnia or as a...
