What is Prescription Drug Addiction

Learn More About Prescription Drug Addiction

Prescription drug addiction is defined as the usage of a prescription medication in a way not intended by the prescribing doctor and can involve everything from taking a friend’s prescription painkiller, taking more than prescribed, or crushing pills in order to become intoxicated. Those who abuse prescription medications will do so despite the negative consequences they are experiencing and after a prolonged period of time an addiction may develop.

Many people suffer under the mistaken belief that because a prescription medication is prescribed by a physician, that these drugs are safer to use than street drugs. Unfortunately, this could not be farther from the truth. When any substances are abused, there is a chance that addiction can develop and it puts users at risk for adverse health consequences, including overdose. When taken in excessive amounts or when not needed, these drugs may affect the brain is ways very similar to illicit drugs. In order to avoid these negative consequences prescription meds should be take exactly as prescribed. Three primary classes of prescription drugs are abused, including downers, opioid narcotics, and stimulants.

Depressants: These central nervous system depressants include barbiturates (Phenobarbital, Seconal), benzodiazepines (Xanax, Valium, Ativan), and sleep medications (Ambien, Lunesta).

Opioids: These narcotics are prescribed to alleviate moderate to severe pain and include codeine, fentanyl, methadone, morphine, OxyContin, Vicodin, and Percodan.

Stimulants: Stimulants are highly-potent drugs that lead to increased energy and mental alertness, used to treat narcolepsy and ADHD. Stimulants include amphetamines such as Dexedrine, Adderall, and Methylphenidates including Concerta, and Ritalin.

Statistics

Statistics of Prescription Drug Addiction

Approximately seven million people in the U.S. reported past-month usage of prescription drugs for non-medical purposes in 2010. Every day in the U.S. about 2,000 teens will abuse prescription drugs for the first time; among youth between the ages of 12 and 17 years, nearly 15% of high school seniors reported past-year non-medical use of prescription medications. In fact, in 2010, 3,000 young adults died from prescription drug overdose – a 250% increase since 1999. For every death from a prescription drug overdose, 17 young adults sought treatment, while 66 visited the emergency room.

Causes and Risk Factors

Causes and Risk Factors for Prescription Drug Addiction

Researchers in the field of addiction have yet to determine the precise cause that leads to the development of addiction. Instead, it’s widely believed that a combination of factors lead to addiction. These include:

Genetic: People who have a first-degree relative, such as a parent or sibling, who have struggled with addiction are at greater risk for developing addiction than those without a history.

Physical: individuals who struggle with chronic health conditions or mental health disorders are at greater risk for developing addiction to prescription drugs. Additionally, prescription medications disrupt the way nerve cells normally communicate with one another. As prescription drugs are continuously abused the brain will adapt to overwhelming surges in dopamine by producing less of this neurotransmitter, which compels and individual to keep using to get the same euphoric feelings.

Environment: Environmental stressors play a large part in the development of prescription medication addiction. For example, having a peer group or circle of friends who abuse drugs may influence someone to begin abusing prescription medication. Additionally, growing up in a home where substance abuse was prevalent may lead an individual to begin abusing substances.

Risk Factors:

Bad parenting
Younger age
Easy access to prescription drug
Existence of mental health disorders
Being physically or sexually abused
Addiction to other substance

Signs and Symptoms

Signs and Symptoms of Prescription Drug Addiction

The symptoms and signs of prescription drug addiction will vary based upon the type of drug of abuse, frequency of use, use of other drugs, and co-occurring mental health conditions. The most common symptoms and signs of prescription drug addiction include:

Behavioral symptoms:

Drop in attendance and performance at work
May borrow or steal to get money
Engaging in secretive behaviors
Sudden change in friends and hobbies
Frequently getting in fights, accidents, or illegal activities

Physical symptoms:

Bloodshot eyes
Changes in appetite
Changes in sleep patterns
Extreme weight loss or gain
Deterioration of personal hygiene
Tremors
Slurred speech
Impaired coordination

Psychosocial symptoms:

Changes in personality or attitude
Mood swings, irritability, angry outbursts
Lack of motivation
Periods of unusual hyperactivity or giddiness
Anxious
Paranoid or fearful with no reason

Effects

Effects of Prescription Drug Addiction

The effects of long-term prescription drug addiction will depend greatly upon length of abuse, drug of abuse, frequency of use, and presence of mental health disorders. The most common effects of prescription drug addiction include:

Damage to the liver, kidneys, heart, and lungs
Depression
Anxiety
Social isolation
Job loss
Dropping out of school
Interpersonal relationship struggles
Legal problems
Death from overdose

Withdrawal and Overdose

Effects of Withdrawal and Overdose

Anyone who is addicted to prescription drugs or other substances should undergo withdrawal in a safe, monitored environment to reduce the risk for major complications. The following are symptoms commonly experienced during withdrawal:

Agitation
Intense cravings
Aching muscles
Profuse sweating
Abdominal cramping
Tremors
Weakness
Seizures
Hallucinations
Nausea and vomiting

When people begin taking medications in a way that does not follow the directions indicated by the prescription itself, the consequences can be extremely dangerous, even fatal. Without even realizing it, individuals can surpass the tolerance they have developed for the medication and end up overdosing. If you suspect that someone is experiencing an overdose, it is imperative that you call 911 immediately. Some of the most common signs that a person has overdosed on prescription medications include:

Limp body
Pale, clammy skin
Slow, erratic heartbeat
Dizziness
Chest pain
Loss of consciousness
Making choking sounds
Rapid respiration rate
Respiratory depression or collapse
Seizures
Vomiting
Coma
Death

Co-Occurring Disorders

Co-Occurring Disorders & the Complexity of Prescription Drug Addiction

Prescription drug addiction is often accompanied by certain types of co-occurring, co-morbid mental health disorders. As many as 6 in 10 people who abuse drugs or alcohol have at least one other mental health disorder, including: