Prescription Drug Abuse
Prescription drug abuse is an underlying yet dangerous problem in
America. Due to the fact that prescription drug addiction is largely
ignored because of their commonplace acceptance as an integral and
necessary part of health and medical care, prescription drug abuse has
stayed in the shadow of other more illicit and dangerous substances such
as heroin and cocaine. Regardless of popular opinion, or ambivalence,
the results of prescription drug abuse and addiction can be just as
deadly. Prescription drug abuse is fairly common even though most
patients use their prescriptions responsibly, but according to recent
statistics anywhere from 7 - 9 million Americans annually use or have
used prescription drugs for non-medical purposes since 1999, according
to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA). There are many types of
prescription drug abuse, a few common types of prescription drug abuse
are using prescription drugs for recreation or psychic effects, to get
high, or to get a lift.
The most common prescription drug abuse cases reported involved the
abuse of Opioids AKA narcotic analgesics or “painkillers”. Opioids
include morphine, codeine, OxyContin (oxycodone), Vicodin (hydrocodone)
and Demerol (meperidine). Opioid drugs block pain and cause drowsiness.
Heavy use or a large single dose can cause respiratory depression
leading to death. The long-term effects of opioid abuse leads to
physical dependence and, in most cases, addiction.
Another common type of prescription drug abuse is the use of central
nervous system depressants. CNS depressants are used to treat conditions
like panic attacks and anxiety, and also to treat sleeping disorders.
Commonly abused types are, Nembutal (pentobarbital sodium), Valium
(diazepam), and Xanax (alprazolam). They initially function by slowing
down normal brain functions and cause the person using them to
experience a sleepy, uncoordinated feeling akin to alcohol or marijuana
inebriation, but with long-term use can lead to physical dependence and
addiction.
The third most common type of prescription drug abuse is central nervous
system stimulants. These are drugs created to treat the sleeping
disorder narcolepsy and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADD,
ADHD). Some examples of CNS stimulants are Ritalin (methylphenidate) and
Dexedrine (dextroamphetamine). These drugs, which have also have a high
risk of being addictive, enhance brain activity, heighten alertness, and
increase energy. Additionally, they cause blood pressure, heart rate,
and respiration to elevate. Taken in large doses, irregular heartbeat
and high body temperature commonly occur.
As stated earlier, the dangers of prescription drug abuse and addiction
are not to be taken lightly, even in comparison to other more dangerous
substances. Prescription drug abuse may not be as swift to claim it’s
victims, and turn them into addicts, but the dangers of addiction is
still a danger nonetheless. In addition, the threat of overdosing or a
dangerous even fatal allergic reaction are no laughing matter. Take the
time to educate yourself on the symptoms of prescription drug abuse. As
with any case of substance abuse, early detection and treatment decrease
the odds of addiction and increase the odds of successful treatment.
