Understanding Prescription Drug Abuse: Causes, Risks, and Help

Introduction

Prescription drug misuse has rapidly emerged as a significant substance abuse issue in the United States. Following alcohol, prescription medications are among the most frequently misused substances. Identifying prescription drug misuse can be challenging since these drugs are typically prescribed by healthcare professionals. Initially, prescriptions may be issued for chronic pain, injury recovery, or psychiatric conditions, but misuse can eventually escalate into abuse.

What Is Prescription Drug Abuse?

Prescription drug abuse may begin with using medication without a prescription, taking larger doses than recommended, or utilizing it for reasons other than what the doctor intended. If these actions occur accidentally or just once, they are generally regarded as misuse. However, when this behavior becomes habitual and dependency on the misuse cycle develops, it can evolve into abuse.

If you deliberately use a prescription drug in a way that differs from how it was prescribed by your doctor, you are engaging in abuse. Misuse can swiftly lead to addiction. Various factors may drive an individual to start abusing prescription drugs, including:

• Chronic pain
• Injury recovery
• Psychiatric conditions
• Social pressure
• Experimentation
• Stress relief
• Euphoria
• Enhanced alertness or concentration for academic or professional activities

Many prescription drugs stimulate the brain's reward center, making addiction occur rapidly. Despite the negative side effects and addictive cycles, quitting the misuse of prescription medications often requires external intervention.

Prescription drug abuse impacts individuals across all ages and backgrounds. Whether you're a young person experimenting or an older adult dealing with chronic pain, misuse of prescription drugs is prevalent among various age groups and demographics. Commonly abused drug categories include painkillers, stimulants, and sedatives.

Why Is Prescription Drug Abuse So Prevalent?

A study published in the Journal of Substance Abuse Treatment revealed that the number of adults misusing prescription drugs rose from 4.9 million to 12.5 million over two decades. Opioids prescribed for pain relief are the most frequently abused medications.

While everyone is at risk of substance misuse, prescription drug abuse poses particular dangers to young individuals, as it can start as misuse and rapidly escalate into full-fledged addiction. Those more susceptible to prescription drug abuse also include individuals with a history of mental health issues, past or present substance misuse problems, exposure to social pressures, and easy access to prescription drugs. Although the emphasis is often on young individuals, older adults on multiple medications are also at risk for unintentional misuse that may develop into addiction later.

What Are The 7 Most Commonly Abused Prescription Drugs?

Amphetamines

Amphetamines rank among the most frequently misused prescription drugs. Classified as stimulants, they are prescribed by physicians to treat attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADD and ADHD) and narcolepsy. Examples include dextroamphetamine (Dexedrine) and a combination of amphetamine and dextroamphetamine (Adderall). Due to their common prescription, these drugs are highly susceptible to misuse. Prolonged misuse of amphetamines can result in elevated blood pressure, seizures, heart attacks, strokes, paranoia, aggression, and even hallucinations.

Vicodin

Hydrocodone is an opioid often combined with other components and is widely known under the brand name, Vicodin, when paired with acetaminophen. Vicodin is typically prescribed for acute pain and injury recovery, making it one of the most misused prescription medications. Misusing Vicodin (and other opioids) can produce side effects such as excessive drowsiness, dizziness, and nausea. Severe consequences include confusion, hypotension, loss of consciousness, coma, and even death. Vicodin becomes even more hazardous when mixed with alcohol or other depressants.

Oxycontin

Oxycontin, another opioid, is a slow-release formulation of the narcotic oxycodone. It is commonly prescribed for chronic pain conditions due to its prolonged relief. Consequently, Oxycontin is also frequently misused. Like most opioids, Oxycontin is highly addictive. Crushing the tablet into a powder negates its slow-release feature, making the substance extremely potent and potentially lethal if taken with other drugs or in excess.

Cough Medicine

A lesser-known but commonly misused prescription drug is cough medicine. These medications often contain opioids, like codeine, and antihistamines to alleviate coughing. Similar to other opioids like Vicodin, abusing these medications impacts the central nervous system. Over-the-counter cough syrups can also lead to misuse since they often contain the stimulant dextromethorphan. Overuse can cause increased heart rate, blood pressure, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, slurred speech, and even paranoia. Despite being available over the counter, these medications are not harmless and can be misused.

Benzodiazepines

In contrast to stimulants, Benzodiazepines are central nervous system depressants, meaning they reduce brain function and nervous system activity. Often referred to as “Benzos,” they fall under the category of sedatives or mild tranquilizers. Typically prescribed for insomnia, anxiety, and panic attacks, examples include diazepam (Valium), alprazolam (Xanax), lorazepam (Ativan), and clonazepam (Klonopin). Misuse and abuse of these drugs can lead to confusion, dizziness, impaired coordination and memory, and low blood pressure. Combining them with alcohol increases the risk of respiratory issues and potentially death.

Ritalin

Methylphenidate, the primary ingredient in Ritalin (also in Concerta), is a commonly abused stimulant. Similar to amphetamines, Ritalin is often prescribed for ADHD and narcolepsy. The likelihood of abusing stimulants like methylphenidate includes side effects such as fluctuations in blood pressure, digestive problems, decreased appetite, and weight loss.

Getting Help with Prescription Drug Abuse

The fact that healthcare professionals prescribe these medications makes them seem less dangerous. However, as this overview illustrates, prescription drug misuse and abuse are prevalent and very risky. If you or someone you care about is grappling with prescription drug abuse, contact a treatment facility today to seek help and commence the recovery process.

To learn more about starting your healing journey at Impact Recovery, reach out to a member of our team here.