Description

Prescription drug abuse is the use of a prescription medication in a way not intended by the prescriber. The abuse of prescription drugs, also called prescription drug abuse, and includes everything from taking a friend's prescription painkiller for your backache to snorting or injecting ground-up pills to get high. Prescription drug abuse may become ongoing and compulsive, despite the negative consequences.

An increasing problem, prescription drug abuse can affect all age groups, including teens. The prescription drugs most often abused include opioid painkillers, anti-anxiety medications, sedatives, and stimulants.

The early identification of prescription drug abuse and early intervention can prevent the problem from becoming an addiction.

Symptoms

The signs and symptoms of prescription drug abuse depend on the specific drug. Due to its mind-altering properties, the majority of misused prescription drugs are:

  • Opioids used to treat pain, such as medication containing oxycodone (Oxycontin, Percocet), and those containing hydrocodone (Norco)
  • Anti-anxiety medications, sedatives and hypnotics used to treat anxiety and sleep disorders, such as alprazolam (Xanax), diazepam (Valium), and zolpidem (Ambien)
  • The stimulants used to treat attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and certain sleep disorders, such as methylphenidate (Ritalin, Concerta, others), dextroamphetamine-amphetamine (Adderall XR, Mydayis) and dextroamphetamine (Dexedrine)

The signs and symptoms of prescription drug abuse

Opioids

  • Constipation
  • Nausea
  • Feeling high
  • Slow breathing rate
  • Drowsiness
  • The confusion
  • Poor coordination
  • Increase of the dose required for pain relief
  • Worsening or increase in pain sensitivity with higher doses

Anti-anxiety medications, and sedatives

  • Drowsiness
  • The confusion
  • Unsteady walking
  • Speech difficulty
  • Lack of concentration
  • Dizziness
  • Problems with memory
  • Slow breathing

Stimulants

  • Increased alertness
  • Feeling high
  • Irregular heartbeat
  • High blood pressure
  • High body temperature
  • Reduces appetite
  • Insomnia
  • Agitation
  • Anxiety
  • Paranoia

Other signs

  • The forging, the theft, or the sale of recipes
  • Taking higher doses than prescribed
  • Be hostile or have mood swings
  • Sleeping less or more
  • Making poor decisions
  • Being unusually energetic, high or transformed
  • To be sleepy
  • Request early refills or continually "lost" recipes, and more recipes should be written
  • Trying to get the recipes for more of a doctor

When to see a doctor

Talk with your health care provider if you think you may have a problem with the use of prescription drugs. You may feel embarrassed to talk about it — but remember that the medical professionals are trained to help you, not judge you. It is easier to face the problem before it becomes an addiction, and leads to more serious problems.

Causes

Adult and adolescent abuse of prescription drugs for many reasons, such as:

  • To feel good or get high
  • To relax or to relieve the stress
  • To relieve the pain
  • To reduce appetite
  • To increase the state of alertness
  • To experiment with the mental effects of the substance
  • To maintain an addiction and avoiding withdrawal symptoms
  • In order to be accepted by their peers or be social
  • To try to improve concentration and performance in school or work

Risk factors

Some people are afraid that they may become addicted to prescribed medications for medical conditions, such as prescription painkillers after surgery. But you can reduce your risk by carefully following your health care provider's instructions on how to take your medication.

The abuse of prescription drugs is highest among adolescents and young adults.

Risk factors for prescription drug abuse include:

  • Past or present addictions to other substances, including alcohol and tobacco
  • Family history of substance abuse problems
  • Certain pre-existing mental health conditions
  • The pressure of peers or of a social environment where there is drug use
  • Easier access to prescription drugs, such as prescription medications in the home medicine cabinet
  • The lack of knowledge about prescription drugs and their potential to damage

Older adults and the abuse of prescription drugs

The abuse of prescription drugs in older adults is a growing problem, especially when you combine the drug with alcohol. Have multiple health problems and the decision of many drugs can put people at risk of drug abuse or addiction.

Complications

Abusing prescription drugs can cause a number of problems. Prescription drugs can be especially dangerous, and even lead to death when taken in high doses, when combined with other prescription medications and certain over-the-counter medications, or if you take it with alcohol or illegal or recreational drugs.

Medical consequences

Here are some examples of the serious consequences of the abuse of prescription drugs:

  • Opioids may cause a decrease in the frequency of breathing and the potential for breathing to stop. Opioids can also lead to coma. An overdose can lead to death.
  • Anti-anxiety medications and sedatives — medicines to help you feel calm or less anxious — can cause memory problems, low blood pressure and slow your breathing. An overdose can cause coma or death. Abruptly stopping the medication may cause withdrawal symptoms may include hyperactivity of the nervous system and seizures.
  • Stimulants can cause an increase in the temperature of the body, heart problems, high blood pressure, seizures or tremors, hallucinations, aggression, and paranoia.

The physical dependence and addiction

Because commonly abused prescription drugs activate the reward center of the brain, that it is possible to develop physical dependence and addiction.

  • The physical dependence. The physical dependence, also called drug tolerance, is the body's response to long-term use of a medication. People who are physically dependent on a drug, may need higher doses to get the same effects, and you may experience withdrawal symptoms when you cut or abruptly stopping the medication.
  • Addiction. People who are addicted to a drug may have a physical dependence, but also compulsively seek a drug and continue to use it even when that drug causes significant problems in their lives.

Other consequences

Other possible consequences include:

  • Risk behaviors due to the lack of judgment
  • The use of illegal or recreational drugs
  • Being involved in the crime
  • To be involved in motor vehicle accidents
  • A decrease in school or work performance
  • Have troubled relationships

Prevention

The abuse of prescription drugs can occur in people who need pain medicine, sedatives or stimulants to treat a medical condition. If you are taking a prescription drug that usually leads to a bad use of drugs, here are some ways to reduce your risk:

  • Make sure that you are receiving the correct medication. Make sure that your health care provider a clear understanding of your condition and the signs and symptoms. Tell your doctor about all your medications, as well as over-the-counter medications, herbs and supplements, and alcohol and other drugs. Ask your doctor if there is another medication with ingredients that have less potential for addiction.
  • Check with your health care provider. Talk with your health care provider on a regular basis to make sure that the medication is working and that you are taking the right dose.
  • Follow the instructions carefully. Use your medicine the way it was prescribed for you. Do not stop or change the dosage of a medication by your account, if not it seems to be working without talking to your health care provider. For example, if you are taking a medication for pain that is not adequately control their pain, not take over.
  • Know what your medicine works. Ask your health care provider or pharmacist about the effects of the medication, so that you will know what to expect. Also check whether other drugs, over-the-counter products or alcohol should be avoided when taking this medication.
  • Never use another person's prescription. Every person is different. Even if you have a similar medical condition, it may not be the right medicine or the dose for you.
  • Do not order products via the internet unless they are of a pharmacy you trust. Some web sites sell counterfeit prescription drugs and over the counter drugs, which could be dangerous.

Prevent prescription drug abuse in teens

Prescription drugs are commonly misused substances by young people. Follow these steps to help prevent your teen from abusing prescription drugs.

  • Discuss the dangers. Emphasize to your child that just because the drugs are prescribed by a health care provider does not make them safe, especially if you were prescribed to someone else or if your child is already taking other prescription medications.
  • Set of rules. Let your child know that it is not okay for you to share your medicines with others, or take prescription medications for other. Emphasize the importance of taking the prescribed dosage and speak with your doctor before making any changes.
  • Talk about the dangers of alcohol consumption. The use of alcohol with medications can increase the risk of an accidental overdose.
  • Keep your prescription drug safety deposit box. Keep track of the drugs and keep them under lock and key in a medicine cabinet.
  • Make sure that your child is not order drugs online. Some web sites sell counterfeit goods and dangerous drugs that do not require a prescription.
  • Properly dispose of medicines. Do not leave unused or expired drugs around. Check the label or the patient information guide for disposal instructions. You can also ask your pharmacist for advice on the disposal.

Diagnosis

Usually, doctors on the basis of a diagnosis of abuse of prescription drugs of the story, and answers to other questions. In some cases, certain signs and symptoms also provide clues.

Blood or urine tests can detect many types of drugs. These tests can also help you track the progress of a person who is receiving treatment.

Treatment

Treatment options for prescription drug abuse vary, depending on the type of drug used and their needs. But counseling is usually a key part of treatment. Treatment may also require the removal, also called detoxification of drugs, medicine, and recovery support.

Advice

A licensed alcohol and drug counselor or other addiction specialist can give the individual, group or family counseling. This can help you to:

  • To determine which factors have led to the abuse of prescription drugs, such as the base of the mental health problems or problems in the relationship
  • Learn the skills needed to resist the cravings, to prevent the abuse of drugs and to help prevent the recurrence of prescription drug problems
  • Learn strategies for developing positive relationships
  • Identify ways to get involved in healthy activities that are not related to drugs
  • Learn the steps to take in case of a relapse occurs

Retreat

Depending on the medication and use, detoxification may be necessary as part of the treatment. The withdrawal can be dangerous and should be done under the guidance of a health professional.

  • Opioid withdrawal. Opioid tapering involves gradually decreasing the dosage of the medicine until it is no longer used. Other medications such as clonidine (Catapres), a medication that is mainly used for high blood pressure — can help manage the symptoms of opiate withdrawal. In the united States, the health care providers to prescribe buprenorphine, buprenorphine-naloxone (Suboxone) or methadone under specific, legally regulated and supervised conditions to alleviate the withdrawal symptoms of opioid analgesics. Drugs that are administered by injection once a month by a health care professional can help people to stay off opioids during their recovery. Examples include naltrexone (Vivitrol), and buprenorphine (Sublocade).
  • The withdrawal of the anti-anxiety medications, and sedatives. If you have used the prescription of sedatives or anti-anxiety medications for a long time, it may take weeks to slowly taper off of them. Due to the withdrawal symptoms, which can take a long time for your body to adjust to the low dose of the medicine, and then get used to taking none at all. You may need other types of medicine to make your mood more stable, managing the final stages of decline, or help with anxiety. You will need to work closely with your health care provider.
  • Stimulant withdrawal. The Food and Drug Administration has not approved any medications for the treatment of stimulant withdrawal. Generally, the treatment focuses on the decline of the medicine and the relief of withdrawal symptoms such as sleep problems, fatigue and depression.

Coping and support

Overcoming prescription drug abuse can be difficult and stressful, which often requires the support of family, friends or organizations. Here is where to look for help:

  • Trusted family members or friends
  • Your health care provider, who may be able to recommend resources
  • Self-help groups, such as a 12-step program
  • Your church or religious group
  • The school counselor or nurse
  • Support groups, either in person or from a trusted web site
  • Employee assistance programme, which can offer counseling services for substance abuse problems

You may be embarrassed to ask for help, or fear that the members of your family are going to be angry or critical. You may worry that their friends distance themselves from you. But in the long term, the people who truly care about you will respect your honesty, and your decision to ask for help.

Help a loved one

It can be difficult to approach your loved one about the abuse of prescription drugs. Denial and anger are common reactions, and you may be concerned about the creation of a conflict or cause damage to your relationship with that person.

Understand and be patient. Let the person know that you care. Encourage your loved one to be honest about the use of drugs and to accept the help if necessary. A person is more likely to respond to the comments of someone who is trustworthy. If the problem continues, more intervention may be required.

The intervention

It is difficult to help a loved one struggling with drug abuse or other destructive behaviors. People who struggle with addictive behaviors are often in denial or is not willing to seek treatment. And not realize how their behavior affects others and themselves. An intervention can motivate someone to seek help for addictive behaviors.

An intervention is a process carefully planned the participation of family and friends, and others who care for a person struggling with addiction. Consulting a professional intervention, an addiction specialist, a psychologist or a mental health counselor can help you plan an effective intervention.

This is an opportunity to confront the individual about the consequences of addiction and ask the person to accept treatment. Think of an intervention like to give your loved one a clear opportunity to make changes before things get really bad.

Preparing for your appointment

Your primary care provider may be able to help you overcome the abuse of prescription drugs. But if you have an addiction, your doctor may refer you to an addiction specialist or to a center that specializes in helping people to stay away from the drugs.

What you can do

To prepare for your appointment, make a list of:

  • All of the medicines you are taking, including nonprescription medicines, herbs, and supplements, as well as the dose and the frequency of
  • Any of the symptoms that you are experiencing
  • Key personal information, including any major stresses or recent life changes
  • Questions to ask your doctor

Questions for your doctor may include:

  • What are my treatment options?
  • How long does it take for the treatment to work?
  • You should see a specialist?
  • How can we manage my other health conditions during the treatment?
  • Do you have any brochures or other printed material I can have? What sites do you recommend?

What to expect from your doctor

Your doctor may ask the following questions:

  • What prescription medications do you take? How much and how often you take?
  • How long have you had this problem?
  • What, if anything, you ask?
  • How severe are the symptoms?
  • Do you have a history of drug abuse or addiction?
  • Do you use recreational or street drugs? Do you smoke?
  • Has someone in your family has had a history of drug abuse or addiction?

Be ready to answer these questions so that you can focus on the points that you want to spend more time. Prepare and anticipate questions will help you make the most of your time with the health care provider.

Symptoms and treatment of Prescription drug abuse