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Prescription Drug Abuse
Prescription drug abuse and prescription drug addiction has quickly become a drug problem of considerable concern in the United States and throughout the world. Whether it's a pain pill addiction or Valium addiction, the problem can be as serious as any other form of drug addiction. If you or someone you love is having a problem with prescription drug abuse or prescription drug addiction, Eastcoastdrugrehab.com and Rehabilitation is here to help. It is a common and dangerous misconception that drugs, as powerful as oxycontin for example, are safe because they can be obtained legally and have a legitimate use in the medical profession. |
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Truth about Prescription Drug Abuse Prescription drugs have their rightful place helping patients manage chronic or severe pain, restore emotional or behavioral balance, control sleep disorders, and fight obesity. However, when prescription medications are abused the consequences can quickly become more than one bargained for. Yes, prescription drug abuse can easily and quickly become prescription drug addiction. Drugs most commonly involved in prescription drug abuse leading to prescription drug addiction… It's true that any prescription drug can be abused and many can even be abused to the point of dependency or prescription drug addiction. However, there are three classes of prescription drugs that are most commonly abused. • CNS depressants • Opioids • Stimulants CNS depressants and the potential consequences of their use and abuse  The
most commonly prescribed CNS depressants are benzodiazepines, such
as diazepam (Valium) and alprazolam (Xanax) prescribed to treat anxiety,
acute stress reactions, and panic attacks, and barbiturates such as
mephobarbital (Mebaral) and pentobarbital sodium (Nembutal) prescribed
to treat anxiety, tension, and sleep disorders. Other benzodiazepines,
such as triazolam (Halcion) and estazolam (ProSom), prescribed to
bring short-term relief from insomnia and other sleep disorders.Different classes of CNS depressants may work differently, however they all produce a beneficial drowsy or calming effect when prescribed for a sleep disorder or anxiety. When used over a long period of time the body will develop tolerance to these drugs requiring increased dosages to achieve the same result. Continued use can also easily lead to dependency on the drug or in other words prescription drug addiction. This can happen as result of taking the medication as prescribed and the increase risk of developing a prescription drug addiction increases dramatically with prescription drug abuse. Barbiturates and benzodiazepines both have the potential for abuse and should be used only as prescribed by a physician. Overdose can be fatal and when reduced or stopped withdrawal is imminent. Opioids and the potential consequences of their use and abuse  Opioids
include morphine, codeine, and other related drugs such as oxycodone
(OxyContin), hydrocodone (Vicodin), and meperidine (Demerol). Opioids
are commonly prescribed to relieve pain. Opioids can produce drowsiness
and, in higher doses, depress respiration. Opioid drugs also can cause
euphoria.When taken as prescribed, opioids can be effective in the management of pain without serious side effects. However, as will most prescription drug abuse, chronic use of opioids can easily result in tolerance, meaning the user must increase the dosage in order to achieve the desired relief. Long-term use or abuse can also lead to physical dependence and even prescription drug addiction. Withdrawal occurs when the opioid is discontinued. These withdrawal symptoms may include and not be restricted to restlessness, muscle and bone pain, insomnia, diarrhea, vomiting, cold flashes with goose bumps, and involuntary leg movements. Individuals who are addicted to opioids are more likely to overdose, and are at higher risk of death as a result. Stimulants and the potential consequences of their use and abuse  Stimulants
have a number of physiological effects such as enhancing brain activity,
increasing alertness, attention, and energy, raising blood pressure,
and elevating heart rate and respiration. Stimulants such as methylphenidate
(Ritalin) and dextroamphetamine (Dexedrine) are prescribed for the
treatment of narcolepsy, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder,
and depression that has not responded to other treatments. They also
may be used for short-term treatment of obesity.Some individuals have a tendency to become addicted to the sense of well-being and enhanced energy that stimulants provide. Taking high doses of stimulants repeatedly over a short time, can lead to feelings of hostility or paranoia. Additionally, taking high doses of stimulants can result in dangerously high body temperatures and an irregular heartbeat. Trends in prescription drug abuse and prescription drug addiction Prescription drug abuse and the resulting prescription drug addiction is on the rise in the United States. According to the 1999 National Household Survey on Drug Abuse, in 1998an estimated 1.6 million Americans used prescription pain relievers for other than medical reasons for the first time. This is a significant increase since the 1980s, when there were generally fewer than 500,000 first-time users per year. From 1990 to 1998, the number of new users of pain relievers increased by 181 percent, the number of individuals who initiated tranquilizer use increased by 132 percent, the number of new sedative users increased by 90 percent, and the number of people initiating stimulant use increased by 165 percent. In 1999, an estimated 4 million people were using certain prescription drugs for other than medical reasons. Preventing and detecting prescription drug abuse Most patients use prescription medications as directed, however, prescription drug abuse and prescription drug addiction is a genuine public health concern for many Americans. Addiction is unlikely to occur when pain relievers, CNS depressants, and stimulants as administered as prescribed. The risk for prescription drug addiction does however exist when these medications are used in ways other than prescribed. Health care providers as well as patients can play an important role in the prevention and detection of prescription drug abuse and prescription drug addiction. Health care providers are in a unique position not only to prescribe needed medications appropriately, but also to identify prescription drug abuse when it exists and help the patient recognize the problem, set goals for recovery, and seek appropriate treatment when necessary. Screening for any type of substance abuse can be incorporated into routine history taking with questions about what prescriptions and over-the-counter medicines the patient is taking and why. Screening also can be performed if a patient presents with specific symptoms associated with problem use of a substance. Preventing or stopping prescription drug abuse is an important part of patient care. However, health care providers should not avoid prescribing or administering strong CNS depressants and painkillers, if they are needed. (See box on pain and opiophobia.) Pharmacists can play a key role in preventing prescription drug misuse and abuse by providing clear information and advice about how to take a medication appropriately, about the effects the medication may have, and about any possible drug interactions. Pharmacists can help prevent prescription fraud or diversion by looking for false or altered prescription forms. Many pharmacies have developed "hotlines" to alert other pharmacies in the region when a fraud is detected. There are a number of ways patients can prevent prescription drug abuse, such as when visiting the doctor, the patient can provide a complete medical history and a description of the reason for the visit. This helps the doctor to understand the condition and prescribe appropriately. Always follow the directions carefully and learn as much as you can about the drugs effects, especially while the body is adapting to the medication. Also be aware of potential interactions with other drugs. Never increase or decrease a prescription drugs dose or abruptly stop taking a prescription without consulting your doctor or pharmacist first. Treating prescription drug addiction Research has taught us that drug addiction of every kind is a brain disease that can be effectively treated, but no one treatment is right for every situation. Treatment of drug addiction must take into account the type of drug involved as well as the needs of the individual. Often, in order to be successful, drug addiction treatment needs to involve more than one approach. Counseling, prescribed medication, and multiple courses of treatment could be needed in order for the patient to make a full recovery. Behavioral and pharmacological drug addiction treatments are the two main categories used. Behavioral therapy as drug addiction treatment is used to help teach the addict how to live and function without drugs, how to manage cravings, how to avoid drugs as well as the situations that can lead to relapse, how to prevent the relapse before it occurs, and how to handle relapse should it occur. Some addictions respond well to treatment with prescribed pharmacologicals. The idea is that the pharmacological medication that is prescribed will counter the effects of the problem drug on the brain and behavior. Pharmacologicals are also used to relieve symptoms of withdrawal, treat an overdose, or to help overcome drug cravings. A behavioral or pharmacological approach can often be enough to successfully treat drug addiction however, research has shown clearly that a combination of approaches is the best for long term success. Opioids There are several different approaches available for treating prescription drug addiction when the drug involved is an opioid. Prescribed medications such as methadone and behavioral counseling are most common. These options have evolved from experience and research in treating heroin addiction. Detoxification is a prerequisite to long-term treatment of opioid addiction. Detoxification is not a treatment for opioid addiction, but rather a means to relieve withdrawal symptoms while the patient adjusts to being drug free. In order to be effective, detoxification must precede any long-term treatment that requires either complete abstinence or incorporates a prescribed medication as part of the treatment plan. CNS depressants Treatment of prescription drug addiction when the drug is barbiturates or benzodiazepines should not be attempted alone as withdrawal from these drugs can be problematic, and in the case of certain CNS depressants, potentially life-threatening. Patients addicted to these types of medications really need to undergo medically supervised detoxification as the dose must be tapered off gradually. Counseling can help during this process. Cognitive-behavioral therapy has also has been used successfully to help individuals get off CNS depressants. More often than not the abuse of barbiturates and benzodiazepines occurs in conjunction with the abuse of another substance or drug, such as alcohol or cocaine. In these types of situations the treatment must address the multiple addictions. Treating prescription drug addiction to prescription - stimulants Treatment of prescription drug addiction when the drug is a stimulant is often based on behavioral therapies that have been proven effective for treating cocaine or methamphetamine addiction. Currently there are no proven medications for the treatment of prescription stimulant addiction, however antidepressants can help manage the symptoms of depression that sometimes occur during the early days of withdrawal. Every patient is unique but the first steps in treating prescription stimulant addiction generally begin with tapering the drug's dose and treating the symptoms of withdrawal as best as possible. Detoxification is then followed by a behavioral therapy of choice. One such behavioral therapy is contingency management which rewards the patient with vouchers for drug-free urine tests. Vouchers can then be exchanged for products or items that promote a healthy life style. Cognitive-behavioral intervention is another. That's were the focus is on modifying the patient's thinking, expectations, and behaviors while developing the patient's coping skills. Recovery support groups are also used in conjunction with the above therapies. In conclusion… Don't allow yourself to be fooled into believing the misconception that because your medications are prescribed by your physician that they are safe. Your doctor prescribed medications can lead to Prescription drug abuse and prescription drug addiction just as quickly as illicit drug abuse can lead to addiction. From pain pill addiction to Valium addiction, if you or a loved one is caught up in the cycle of prescription drug abuse leading to prescription drug addiction… please, please let Eastcoastdrugrehab.com help. |
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