Many of us associate drug use problems with illicit substances such as cocaine, meth, or heroin. However, addiction is also common with prescription drugs such as tranquillizers, sleeping medications, and painkillers.
Considering that prescription drug addiction is often overlooked because some people think these drugs are safer, there is a growing problem that affects millions of individuals and their families across the globe. Hence, Sivana Rehab responds to these global concerns by providing a comprehensive treatment programme for individuals suffering from prescription drug addiction and helping them achieve long-term recovery.
What is Prescription Drug Addiction?
Prescription drugs are a class of medications used to treat physical or mental health conditions. They require a prescription from medically licensed professionals to obtain or acquire in pharmacies or drug stores. Healthcare professionals supervise prescription drugs to ensure they are properly used, taking the right dosage, monitoring potential side effects, and observing or controlling interactions with other medications.
However, some individuals are taking these medications for a reason other than why the provider prescribed them, which can cause addiction. The consequences of abusing these substances are worsening, and the number of individuals admitted to treatment, emergency room visits, and even overdose deaths are continuously increasing.
Commonly Abused Prescription Drugs
Taking a prescription drug in a way that a healthcare provider has not recommended can be more dangerous than people think. They are classified as prescription drugs because they are more potent and require supervision. Some of the most commonly misused prescription drugs include the following:
Opioids are drugs being prescribed by doctors to treat serious or chronic pain. It is also known as painkillers, and they work by producing effects throughout the body, resulting in both analgesia and euphoria. In addition, opioid painkillers have mood alteration mechanisms and addictive properties, which can result in abuse or non-medical use. Typically, individuals with opioid use problems may misuse these prescription medications either to self-medicate or compulsive use due to addiction. It is important to note that individuals who have chronic pain and co-occurring substance use disorders (SUD) or other mental health conditions are more prone to developing opioid use disorder.
CNS depressants are types of substances that include sedatives, tranquillizers, and hypnotics. These drugs are typically used to treat anxiety, panic attacks, acute stress, sleep disorders (e.g., insomnia), muscle spasms, and seizures. Most CNS depressants work by increasing the activity of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), a neurotransmitter that slows or inhibits brain activity. This mechanism causes drowsiness and calming effects. However, those individuals who overdose on CNS depressants also face life-threatening consequences, such as a decrease in the amount of oxygen that reaches the brain, which can lead to coma and permanent neurological damage.
Prescription stimulants belong to a larger class of drugs that involve both legal and illegal substances, which work on increasing the level of activity in the central nervous system. This mechanism may temporarily increase the individual’s alertness, attention, and energy.
Although these prescription stimulants are most commonly used to treat attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), narcolepsy, and major depression, some individuals misuse them to increase alertness, get high, enhance performance in sports, and even lose weight. This potential misuse can lead to adverse health consequences such as narrowing blood vessels, increased heart rate, blood sugar, and blood pressure, as well as neurological impairment.
Signs and Symptoms of Substance Use Disorders
Substance Use Disorders (SUD), including prescription drug addiction, is a condition where the individual experiences compulsive use of prescription drugs despite the negative consequences associated with it. They manifest a pattern of drug use that affects major areas of functioning. Specifically, someone with SUD experiences the following signs and symptoms:
- The substance is taken in a large amount
- There is a continuous desire or inability to stop or control drug abuse
- Spending most of the time on activities related to substance use
- There is a strong urge or craving to use the substance
- Major obligations at work, school, or home are not fulfilled because of recurrent drug use
- Continued use despite having interpersonal problems
- Important activities are given up because of substance use
- There is recurrent consumption in risky situations
- Tolerance and withdrawal symptoms
The Effects of Prescription Misuse
Some individuals may think that these drugs are safer than those marked as illicit. However, prescription drug abuse can lead to various health consequences, including life-threatening conditions. Generally, the negative side effects include:
Physiological
Eating and sleeping problems, nausea, cardiovascular problems, increase in blood sugar, respiratory issues, blurred vision, impaired coordination, changes in the structure and function of the brain.
Psychological
Symptoms of psychosis such as hallucination and delusion, paranoia, decreased cognitive functions, and compulsions.
Emotional
Fear and anxiety, depression, mood swings, aggression, irritability.
Social
Lack of interest in activities, work, and friends, relationship problems, failure to fulfil obligations, increased risky behaviours, and isolation from family and friends.
Prescription Drug Withdrawal
Prescription drug withdrawal symptoms are our brain’s reaction to the absence of the prescription substance that an individual is addicted to. This occurs when the individual tries to reduce or stop using prescription drugs, and you are physically dependent on them. These withdrawal symptoms can be severe or extremely dangerous and even life-threatening when the individual undergoes detoxification.
Although the severity of withdrawal symptoms is highly dependent on the dosage and the prescription drug type, research and clinical practice revealed that withdrawal symptoms manifest both physiologically and psychologically.
Physiological Prescription Drugs Withdrawal Symptoms
Individuals with prescription drug addiction can experience the following physiological withdrawal symptoms:
- Loss of appetite
- Difficulties falling asleep
- Nausea and vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Pains in muscles and joints
- Muscle cramps
- Increased heart rate and blood pressure
- Seizure
Psychological Prescription Drugs Withdrawal Symptoms
Some of the body’s reactions to the absence of prescription drugs may manifest psychologically, which include:
- Anxiety
- Panic attacks
- Depression
- Aggression
- Irritability
- Strong drug cravings
- Self-harm
- Suicidal thoughts
Prescription Drug Addiction Treatment Options at Sivana Rehab
While prescription drug addiction is a complex condition, there is a wide range of treatment options available and recovery is possible.
Get Treatment for Prescription Drug Addiction at Sivana Rehab
Prescription drug misuse happens for a variety of reasons – it could be for experimentation, stress reliever, or taking these medications to get high.
However, there is an extreme danger in using these drugs without supervision and monitoring by healthcare professionals. This danger can lead to addiction and potentially life-threatening consequences. Hence, understanding and action are crucial steps towards recovery.
At Sivana Rehab, we provide a comprehensive treatment programme that helps individuals manage their symptoms and promote long-term recovery. If you or someone you care about is grappling with prescription drug addiction, you can connect with us and let’s take action today and reclaim your health and well-being.