Prescription Drug Abuse

Misusing prescription drugs means taking medicine in a way that's not how your doctor prescribed it. This includes taking someone else's medication, or crushing and snorting or injecting pills to get a high. It can also involve taking more of the medicine than prescribed, or taking it for a reason it wasn't meant for. This misuse can become a habit that's hard to stop, even if it causes problems.

Prescription drug misuse is a growing issue that can impact people of all ages, even teenagers. Commonly abused prescription drugs include pain relievers like opioids, medications for anxiety, sleep aids, and stimulants like those used to treat ADHD.

Catching the problem early and getting help quickly can often stop it from turning into a long-term addiction. Early intervention is key.

Recognizing Prescription Drug Abuse: Signs and Symptoms

Misusing prescription drugs can have serious consequences. Different drugs have different effects, so the signs of abuse vary. These are some common types of misused prescription drugs and their potential symptoms:

Opioids (Pain Relievers): These drugs, like those containing oxycodone (OxyContin, Percocet) or hydrocodone (Norco), are powerful and can be highly addictive. Signs of opioid abuse might include:

• Physical symptoms: Constipation, nausea, feeling "high," slowed breathing, drowsiness, confusion, poor coordination, needing a higher dose to get the same pain relief, worsening pain sensitivity with higher doses.
• Behavioral symptoms: Increased frequency of pain complaints, taking more of the medication than prescribed, hiding or stealing medication, trying to get prescriptions from multiple doctors, selling or giving away the medication.

Anti-anxiety Medications, Sedatives, and Hypnotics: These drugs, such as alprazolam (Xanax), diazepam (Valium), and zolpidem (Ambien), are used to treat anxiety and sleep problems. Signs of abuse can include:

• Physical symptoms: Drowsiness, confusion, unsteady walking, slurred speech, poor concentration, dizziness, memory problems, slowed breathing.
• Behavioral symptoms: Forging or stealing prescriptions, taking higher doses, mood swings, hostility, sleeping too much or too little, making poor decisions, requesting early refills or "losing" prescriptions frequently.

Stimulants: These drugs, often used to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) like methylphenidate (Ritalin, Concerta) or amphetamines (Adderall, Dexedrine), can also be misused. Signs of abuse may include:

• Physical symptoms: Increased alertness, feeling "high," irregular heartbeat, high blood pressure, high body temperature, reduced appetite, insomnia, agitation, anxiety, paranoia.
• Behavioral symptoms: Taking higher doses, trying to get prescriptions from multiple doctors, forging or stealing prescriptions, selling or giving away the medication.

Important Note: These are just some possible signs. If you or someone you know is experiencing these symptoms or suspect prescription drug abuse, it's crucial to talk to a healthcare professional. They can provide a proper diagnosis and support.

Seeking Help:

Don't be embarrassed to discuss concerns about prescription drug use with your doctor. They are trained to help, not judge. Addressing the issue early can prevent it from escalating into a serious addiction and help you get the support you need. Remember, help is available.

If you're worried about how much prescription medication you're taking, talk to your doctor. It's completely normal to feel a little uncomfortable discussing this, but doctors are there to help, not to criticize. Addressing the issue early on is much better than letting it develop into a dependence or more serious health issues down the road. Don't hesitate to reach out for support.

Many teens and adults misuse prescription drugs for a variety of reasons. Sometimes, people take them to experience a feeling of pleasure or a "high." Others use them to unwind, ease stress, or manage pain. Prescription drugs can also be misused to help with weight loss or to feel more awake. Some individuals experiment with the drug's effects on their mind and body. Continuing to use a drug to avoid uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms is another reason why people misuse them. Sometimes, people might take drugs to fit in with a group of friends or feel more comfortable in social situations. Finally, some people might misuse prescription drugs to improve their focus and performance at school or work.

Many people worry about becoming addicted to medicine, like painkillers after surgery. But you can lower this risk by precisely following your doctor's instructions.

Using prescription drugs without a doctor's orders is a serious problem, especially among teenagers and young adults.

Several things can make it more likely for someone to misuse or become addicted to prescription drugs:

• Past or current substance use problems: If you've struggled with addiction to alcohol, tobacco, or other substances, you might be more vulnerable to prescription drug misuse.
• Family history of addiction: A history of addiction in your family can increase your risk. This is because certain genetic predispositions or learned behaviors can make addiction more likely.
• Mental health conditions: Some mental health conditions can make people more prone to substance misuse. This is often due to underlying stress, anxiety, or depression that can lead someone to use drugs as a coping mechanism.
• Easy access to drugs: If prescription drugs are readily available, like in a home medicine cabinet, it can be easier to misuse them. This is why safe storage is critical.
• Lack of understanding: Not knowing the risks of prescription drugs, how they work, or how they might interact with other medications can increase the chance of misuse.

Prescription drug abuse is also becoming a larger problem among older adults. This is especially true when older adults mix prescription drugs with alcohol. Having several health conditions and taking many different medications at once can significantly increase the risk of misuse and addiction. This is because the combinations of medicines can create unexpected effects that lead to accidental misuse or addiction.

Misusing prescription drugs can lead to serious health problems. Taking too much of a prescription drug, mixing it with other medications (prescription or over-the-counter), or combining it with alcohol or illegal substances is extremely dangerous and can be fatal.

Here's how different types of prescription drugs can harm you:

Opioids: These drugs, often used for pain relief, can slow your breathing to a dangerous level, potentially stopping it altogether. An overdose can cause a coma and even death.

Anti-anxiety medications and sedatives: These drugs help people feel calmer. However, misuse can lead to memory problems, dangerously low blood pressure, and slowed breathing. A large dose can cause a coma or death. Suddenly stopping these medications can also cause unpleasant withdrawal symptoms, such as a racing heart, nervousness, and seizures.

Stimulants: These drugs, often used to treat conditions like ADHD, can increase your body temperature, cause heart problems, and lead to dangerously high blood pressure. They can also trigger seizures, tremors, hallucinations, aggression, and paranoia.

How misuse leads to dependence and addiction:

Prescription drugs often activate the part of your brain that makes you feel good. This can lead to physical dependence, which means your body gets used to the drug. Over time, you might need higher doses to get the same effect, and stopping the drug abruptly can cause withdrawal symptoms.

Addiction is more than just physical dependence:

Addiction is a more serious problem. An addicted person experiences a compulsive need to use the drug, even when it causes significant problems in their life. This can lead to a variety of negative consequences:

• Risky behaviors: Poor judgment can lead to dangerous choices.
• Increased use of illegal drugs: Misusing prescription drugs can lead to trying other, potentially harmful substances.
• Criminal activity: Addiction can push people to commit crimes to support their habit.
• Car accidents: Prescription drug use can impair driving ability, increasing the risk of accidents.
• Poor performance at school or work: Addiction can make it difficult to focus on tasks and responsibilities.
• Strained relationships: Addiction can negatively affect family and social relationships.

If you or someone you know is struggling with prescription drug misuse, help is available. Talk to a doctor, counselor, or other trusted professional.

Prescription drugs can sometimes be misused, even by people who need them for medical conditions like pain, sleep problems, or focus. If you're taking a prescription that might be misused, here's how to stay safe:

Choosing and Taking Your Medication Correctly:

• Talk to your doctor: Make sure your doctor understands your full health situation, including any other medications, supplements, herbs, alcohol, or other substances you're using. They can help you find a medication that's a good fit and has a lower risk of addiction.
• Regular check-ups: Keep in touch with your doctor regularly to make sure the medication is working as intended and that you're taking the right dose.
• Follow the instructions: Take your medicine exactly as prescribed. Don't change the dose or stop taking it without talking to your doctor first, even if you think it's not working. If you're experiencing pain, don't take more than prescribed.
• Understand the medication: Ask your doctor or pharmacist about the potential side effects and interactions with other medications, including over-the-counter drugs and alcohol. This will help you avoid unexpected problems.
• Never use someone else's medication: Different people react differently to medications. What works for one person might not be right for you.
• Be cautious about online pharmacies: Only order prescriptions from reputable pharmacies. Counterfeit drugs purchased online can be dangerous.

Protecting Teens from Prescription Drug Abuse:

Teens are also at risk of misusing prescription drugs. Here's how you can help prevent it:

• Educate them about the risks: Explain that just because a drug is prescribed doesn't mean it's safe, especially if it wasn't prescribed for them. Also, be aware of any other medications your teen is taking.
• Set clear rules: Make it clear that sharing medication or taking someone else's prescription is unacceptable. Emphasize the importance of following the prescribed dose and checking with a doctor before changing anything.
• Address alcohol use: Mixing alcohol with prescription drugs can significantly increase the risk of an overdose. Discuss the dangers of mixing them.
• Secure your medications: Keep all prescription drugs out of reach of teens and in a locked cabinet.
• Monitor online activity: Be aware of any online searches or attempts to buy drugs online.
• Proper disposal: Follow the instructions on the medication label or ask your pharmacist how to safely dispose of unused or expired drugs. Never flush them down the toilet unless specifically instructed to do so.

By following these guidelines, you can greatly reduce the risk of prescription drug misuse for yourself and your family. Remember, open communication and understanding are key to keeping everyone safe.

Doctors figure out if someone is abusing prescription drugs by looking at their medical history and asking questions. They might also look for certain physical signs or symptoms that could suggest abuse.

Lab tests, like blood or urine tests, can show if someone has taken certain drugs. These tests can also help doctors see how well a person is doing while getting treatment. They can track the levels of drugs in the body over time.