An overview of prescription drug use

The majority of the individuals out there who take prescription drugs do so under a doctor’s supervision. However, according to the DEA and numerous public health organizations the recreational use of prescription drugs is growing in significant numbers in the US. It is estimated that nearly 20% of the people in the US are using prescription drugs recreationally. Suffice it to say, it is a very significant problem in American society today.

The availability of prescription drugs is probably the primary reason that the abuse of them is growing and Online pharmacies are making them readily available

Prescription drugs are now considered to be one of the primary drug threats in the US according to the DEA. Due to the increasing numbers of prescription drug abuse, these medications are now viewed as being a serious public health threat as well according to numerous health organizations and medical professionals. The availability of prescription drugs is probably the primary reason that the abuse of them is growing. Plus online pharmacies are making them readily available as well.

The 8 most commonly abused prescription drugs

The abuse of prescription drugs can lead to addiction and dependency problems as well. The number of admissions into addiction treatment and recovery centers throughout the US is growing significantly as well which is a clear indication that the problem is growing. It is extremely easy to develop addictions to three prescription drug groups:

• Narcotic analgesics (painkillers)
• Sedatives and tranquilizers
• Stimulants

Granted, prescription medications have done wonders for individuals suffering with disease, illness, and pain as well as the fact that they have altered the medical landscape with many individuals having benefited from taking them. However, the fact that they have become so popular from a recreational use standpoint carries a significant amount of danger and risk with these medications.

The following is the 8 most common prescription drugs abused in the US today:

Anabolic steroids – these are used to build bone and muscle mass mostly among professional athletes. Doctors also prescribe steroids to treat males who have an abnormally low production level of testosterone so that they do not succumb to delayed puberty, impotence, and osteoporosis. Most common anabolic steroids are Anavar, Trenbolone, and Winstrol.

Most common barbiturates are Mebaral and Nembuta

Barbiturates – these drugs are classified under the category of CNS or Central Nervous System depressants. They are commonly used for the treatment of anxiety, epilepsy, sleep disorders, and tension. Most recreation users of barbiturates use them to counteract the symptoms of both illegal and prescription drugs. Most common barbiturates are Mebaral and Nembutal.

Benzodiazepines – also referred to as “benzos”, these drugs are also categorized as CNS depressants. They are prescribed to treat acute stress, anxiety, convulsions, panic attacks, and sleep disorders. They are typically prescribed on a short-term basis in order to avoid addiction and dependency issues. The most commonly prescribed benzodiazepines are Librium, Valium, and Xanax.

Fentanyl – a powerful synthetic opioid that has the painkilling capabilities of most opiates. It is considered to be more potent than morphine and is usually prescribed to treat individuals suffering with chronic, severe pain. It is also prescribed for cancer patients in some cases. Overdosing can result in coma, confusion, nausea, respiratory arrest and depression, and unconsciousness.

Muscle relaxants – used to treat acute muscle problems, chronic pain, and painful muscle spasms. Muscle relaxants are oftentimes prescribed for the treatment of cerebral palsy, fibromyalgia, multiple sclerosis, and spinal cord injuries. The most common muscle relaxants are Baclofen, Tizanidine, and Zanaflex.

Opioids – because of their powerful analgesic attributes, opioids are prescribed for the treatment of pain. The most common ones on the market today are codeine, morphine, and oxycodone with the most widely abused brands being Percocet, Percodan, and OxyContin.

Sleep medications – medications that are prescribed for insomnia (falling asleep and staying asleep) are CNS depressants. The most common sleep medications are Ambien, Lunesta, and Sonata.

Stimulants – these are typically prescribed to increase a person’s alertness, attention, and energy in patients that have been diagnosed ADHD (attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder), depression, and narcolepsy. The most commonly prescribed stimulants are Adderall, Concerta, Dexedrine, and Ritalin.

Recognizing the warning signs of prescription drug abuse

significant mood swings are common when the person is in between doses or experiencing withdrawal

Aches, nagging illnesses, and pain – the individual is likely to develop and suffer with a variety of aches, nagging illnesses, and pain when they are in between taking prescription drugs or experiencing withdrawal.

Chills or fever – these are common signs of withdrawal from prescription medications. In many cases, the individual feels as though they have the flu.

Criminal behavior – stealing becomes a common activity when the individual is experiencing the cravings for their prescription drug of choice. The person will steal the money they need to purchase their drug of choice.

Euphoria – when an individual is taking prescription painkillers such as OxyContin and Vicodin, they are likely to experience extreme euphoric side effects. As tolerance builds up, the individual takes increasingly larger doses of the medication to get high.

Irritability and mood swings – significant mood swings are common when the person is in between doses or experiencing withdrawal. The altering of the brain’s functions is usually responsible for irritability and mood swings.

Unethical behavior – “doctor shopping” or faking an illness to get prescriptions from more than one doctor or stealing medicines out of a family member’s or friend’s medicine cabinet are examples of unethical behavior.

Withdrawal from those around you – this includes family members and friends as well as participating in activities you once found enjoyable. People withdraw because nothing is as important to them as their prescription drug of choice.

Our facility is here to help you

The Delray Recovery Center offers a variety of effective alcohol and drug addiction rehab programs including our 5-Phase Step Down Model or the Strength to Change substance abuse treatment programs. Our recovery success rate is one of the best in the US. If you would like more information regarding our facility and our programs, please contact us at the toll-free phone number listed above to speak with one of our caring addiction specialists today.