Prescription drug abuse
General description
The abuse of prescription drugs is the use for purposes not provided by the health professional who prescribed them. Abuse of prescription drugs or their problematic use ranges from taking a painkiller from your friend for back pain to inhaling or injecting crushed pills to drug you. Drug abuse can become chronic and compulsive, despite the negative consequences.
The abuse of prescription drugs, a growing problem, can affect all age groups, including adolescents. The most frequently prescribed prescription drugs include opioid analgesics, sedatives, anxiolytic medications and stimulants.
Early identification of prescription drug abuse and early intervention can prevent the problem from becoming an addiction.
symptom
The signs and symptoms of prescription drug abuse depend on the specific medication. Due to its properties to affect the mind, the most commonly abused prescription drugs are the following:
Opioids used to treat pain, for example, medicines that contain oxycodone, such as Oxycontin and Percocet, and those that contain hydrocodone, such as Norco.
Anxiolytic and sedative medications, such as alprazolam (Xanax) and diazepam (Valium), and hypnotics, such as zolpidem (Ambien), which are used to treat anxiety and sleep disorders.
Stimulants, such as methylphenidate (Ritalin, Concerta and others), dexamfetamine and amphetamine (Adderall XR, Mydayis), and dexamfetamine (Dexedrine), which are used to treat attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder and certain disorders of the dream.
Signs and symptoms of prescription drug abuse
Opioids Medications anxiolytics and sedatives Stimulants
Constipation
Sickness
Excited mood (euphoria)
Slow respiratory rate
Drowsiness
Confusion
Little coordination
Need higher doses to relieve pain
Worsening or greater sensitivity to pain with higher doses (hyperalgesia)
Drowsiness
Confusion
Instability while walking
Incomprehensible speech
Concentration problems
Dizziness
Problems with memory
Slow breathing
Increased alertness
Mood excited
Irregular heartbeat
High blood pressure
High body temperature
Decreased appetite
Insomnia
Agitation
Anxiety
Paranoia
Other signs include the following:
Steal, forge or sell recipes
Take higher doses than prescribed
Excessive mood swings or hostility
Increase or decrease of sleep hours
Unwise decision making
Show yourself with excited mood, being unusually energetic or accelerated, or sedated
Request early replacements or "lose" recipes constantly, so it is necessary to issue more recipes
Request recipes from more than one doctor
When should you see a doctor?
Talk to your doctor if you think you may have a problem with the use of prescription drugs. You may be embarrassed to talk about it, but remember that medical professionals are trained to help you, not judge you. It is easier to deal with the issue in advance before it becomes an addiction and generates a more serious problem.
Causes
Adolescents and adults abuse prescription drugs for a variety of reasons, such as the following:
Feeling good or getting high
Relax or relieve tensions
Reduce appetite or increase alertness
Experience the mental effects of the substance
Maintain an addiction and prevent abstinence
Be accepted by peers or socialize
Try to improve concentration and academic or work performance
Risk factor's
Some people fear becoming addicted to prescription drugs for medical conditions, such as the analgesics indicated after surgery. But you can reduce the risk by strictly following your doctor's instructions on how to take the medications.
While abuse of prescription medications can occur at any age, it often begins in adolescents or young adults.
Risk factors for the abuse of prescription medications include:
Addictions to other substances that occurred in the past or present, such as alcoholism and smoking.
A family history of substance use problems
Certain pre-existing psychiatric illnesses
Exposure to social pressure or a social environment where there is drug consumption.
Easy access to prescription medications, such as the presence of these medications in the home's medicine cabinet.
Lack of information about prescription drugs and their potential harm.
Older adults and prescription drug abuse
The abuse of prescription drugs in older adults is a growing problem, especially when they combine medications with alcohol. Older adults who have various health problems and take several medications may be at risk of taking medications inappropriately or becoming addicted.
Complications
The abuse of prescription drugs can cause some problems. Prescription medications can be very dangerous (and even fatal) when taken in high doses, when combined with other prescription drugs or certain over-the-counter medications, or when taken with alcohol or illegal or recreational drugs.
Medical consequences
Below are examples of the serious consequences of prescription drug abuse:
Opioids can cause low blood pressure, a slow heart rate and have the ability to stop breathing or cause a coma. Overdose has a significant risk of death.
Anti-anxiety medications and sedatives can cause memory problems and slow down breathing. Overdose can cause coma or death. Stopping a medication abruptly can cause withdrawal symptoms that include hyperactivity in the nervous system and seizures.
Stimulants can cause dangerously high body temperature, heart problems, high blood pressure, seizures or tremors, hallucinations, aggression and paranoia.
Physical dependence and addiction
Because prescription drugs that are often misused are activating the reward system of the brain, it is possible to develop physical dependence and addiction.
Physical dependence Physical dependence (also called tolerance) is the body's response to prolonged use. People who are physically dependent on a medication may need much higher doses to achieve the same effects and experience withdrawal symptoms by reducing or stopping the medication suddenly. Physical dependence can also become evident if a medication that the body adapts to over time is stopped suddenly, even without a dose change.
Addiction. People who are addicted to a drug may have physical dependence, but they also seek it compulsively and continue to use it even when it causes major problems in their lives.
Other consequences
Other possible consequences include the following:
Engaging in risky behaviors due to impaired judgment
Consume illicit or recreational drugs
Get involved in a crime
Car accidents
Impairment of academic or work performance
Problematic relationships
Prevention
Prescription drug abuse can occur in people who need painkillers, sedatives or stimulants to treat a medical disorder. If you are taking a medication that is frequently abused, you can do the following to reduce your risk:
Make sure you are taking the correct medication. Make sure the doctor clearly understands your condition and the signs and symptoms. Talk to your doctor about all the prescriptions, over-the-counter medications, herbs and supplements you take, as well as about the use of alcohol and other drugs. Ask your doctor if there is any alternative medication with ingredients that have less potential for addiction.
Check with your doctor. Talk to your doctor regularly to make sure that the medication you are taking works and that you are taking the correct dose.
Follow the instructions carefully. Take the medications the way they prescribed them. Do not interrupt or change the dose of a medication on your own if it seems that it is not working without first talking to the doctor. For example, if you are taking a pain medication that is not adequately controlling your pain, do not drink more.
Know the effect of your medications. Ask the doctor or pharmacist about the effects of your medication, so you know what to expect. Also find out if other drugs, over-the-counter products or alcohol should be avoided when taking this medication.
Never use another person's recipe. We are all different. Even if you have a similar illness, it may not be the right medication or dose for you.
Do not buy prescription drugs online, unless they are from a reliable pharmacy. Some websites sell counterfeit prescription and over-the-counter medications that could be dangerous.
Prevention of prescription drug abuse by adolescents
Prescription medications are substances generally misused by young people. Follow these steps to help prevent your teen from abusing prescription drugs.
Talk about the dangers. Emphasize to your teenager that the fact that the medications have been prescribed by a doctor does not make them safe, especially if they were prescribed to third parties or if your child already consumes other prescription medications.
Establish rules. Let your child know that it is not OK to share medications with third parties or to take prescription medications from third parties. Emphasize the importance of taking the prescribed dose and talking with the doctor before making changes.
Talk about the dangers of drinking alcoholic beverages. The consumption of alcoholic beverages in conjunction with medications may increase the risk of an accidental overdose.
Keep prescription medications in a safe place. Keep track of quantities and keep medications in a locked cabinet.
Make sure your child is not ordering medications online. Some websites sell dangerous and counterfeit medicines that may not require a prescription.
Discard medications in the proper way. Do not leave unused or expired medications out there. Check the patient information leaflet or guide for instructions on how to dispose of them, or ask the pharmacist for advice.
General description
The abuse of prescription drugs is the use for purposes not provided by the health professional who prescribed them. Abuse of prescription drugs or their problematic use ranges from taking a painkiller from your friend for back pain to inhaling or injecting crushed pills to drug you. Drug abuse can become chronic and compulsive, despite the negative consequences.
The abuse of prescription drugs, a growing problem, can affect all age groups, including adolescents. The most frequently prescribed prescription drugs include opioid analgesics, sedatives, anxiolytic medications and stimulants.
Early identification of prescription drug abuse and early intervention can prevent the problem from becoming an addiction.
symptom
The signs and symptoms of prescription drug abuse depend on the specific medication. Due to its properties to affect the mind, the most commonly abused prescription drugs are the following:
Opioids used to treat pain, for example, medicines that contain oxycodone, such as Oxycontin and Percocet, and those that contain hydrocodone, such as Norco.
Anxiolytic and sedative medications, such as alprazolam (Xanax) and diazepam (Valium), and hypnotics, such as zolpidem (Ambien), which are used to treat anxiety and sleep disorders.
Stimulants, such as methylphenidate (Ritalin, Concerta and others), dexamfetamine and amphetamine (Adderall XR, Mydayis), and dexamfetamine (Dexedrine), which are used to treat attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder and certain disorders of the dream.
Signs and symptoms of prescription drug abuse
Opioids Medications anxiolytics and sedatives Stimulants
Constipation
Sickness
Excited mood (euphoria)
Slow respiratory rate
Drowsiness
Confusion
Little coordination
Need higher doses to relieve pain
Worsening or greater sensitivity to pain with higher doses (hyperalgesia)
Drowsiness
Confusion
Instability while walking
Incomprehensible speech
Concentration problems
Dizziness
Problems with memory
Slow breathing
Increased alertness
Mood excited
Irregular heartbeat
High blood pressure
High body temperature
Decreased appetite
Insomnia
Agitation
Anxiety
Paranoia
Other signs include the following:
Steal, forge or sell recipes
Take higher doses than prescribed
Excessive mood swings or hostility
Increase or decrease of sleep hours
Unwise decision making
Show yourself with excited mood, being unusually energetic or accelerated, or sedated
Request early replacements or "lose" recipes constantly, so it is necessary to issue more recipes
Request recipes from more than one doctor
When should you see a doctor?
Talk to your doctor if you think you may have a problem with the use of prescription drugs. You may be embarrassed to talk about it, but remember that medical professionals are trained to help you, not judge you. It is easier to deal with the issue in advance before it becomes an addiction and generates a more serious problem.
Causes
Adolescents and adults abuse prescription drugs for a variety of reasons, such as the following:
Feeling good or getting high
Relax or relieve tensions
Reduce appetite or increase alertness
Experience the mental effects of the substance
Maintain an addiction and prevent abstinence
Be accepted by peers or socialize
Try to improve concentration and academic or work performance
Risk factor's
Some people fear becoming addicted to prescription drugs for medical conditions, such as the analgesics indicated after surgery. But you can reduce the risk by strictly following your doctor's instructions on how to take the medications.
While abuse of prescription medications can occur at any age, it often begins in adolescents or young adults.
Risk factors for the abuse of prescription medications include:
Addictions to other substances that occurred in the past or present, such as alcoholism and smoking.
A family history of substance use problems
Certain pre-existing psychiatric illnesses
Exposure to social pressure or a social environment where there is drug consumption.
Easy access to prescription medications, such as the presence of these medications in the home's medicine cabinet.
Lack of information about prescription drugs and their potential harm.
Older adults and prescription drug abuse
The abuse of prescription drugs in older adults is a growing problem, especially when they combine medications with alcohol. Older adults who have various health problems and take several medications may be at risk of taking medications inappropriately or becoming addicted.
Complications
The abuse of prescription drugs can cause some problems. Prescription medications can be very dangerous (and even fatal) when taken in high doses, when combined with other prescription drugs or certain over-the-counter medications, or when taken with alcohol or illegal or recreational drugs.
Medical consequences
Below are examples of the serious consequences of prescription drug abuse:
Opioids can cause low blood pressure, a slow heart rate and have the ability to stop breathing or cause a coma. Overdose has a significant risk of death.
Anti-anxiety medications and sedatives can cause memory problems and slow down breathing. Overdose can cause coma or death. Stopping a medication abruptly can cause withdrawal symptoms that include hyperactivity in the nervous system and seizures.
Stimulants can cause dangerously high body temperature, heart problems, high blood pressure, seizures or tremors, hallucinations, aggression and paranoia.
Physical dependence and addiction
Because prescription drugs that are often misused are activating the reward system of the brain, it is possible to develop physical dependence and addiction.
Physical dependence Physical dependence (also called tolerance) is the body's response to prolonged use. People who are physically dependent on a medication may need much higher doses to achieve the same effects and experience withdrawal symptoms by reducing or stopping the medication suddenly. Physical dependence can also become evident if a medication that the body adapts to over time is stopped suddenly, even without a dose change.
Addiction. People who are addicted to a drug may have physical dependence, but they also seek it compulsively and continue to use it even when it causes major problems in their lives.
Other consequences
Other possible consequences include the following:
Engaging in risky behaviors due to impaired judgment
Consume illicit or recreational drugs
Get involved in a crime
Car accidents
Impairment of academic or work performance
Problematic relationships
Prevention
Prescription drug abuse can occur in people who need painkillers, sedatives or stimulants to treat a medical disorder. If you are taking a medication that is frequently abused, you can do the following to reduce your risk:
Make sure you are taking the correct medication. Make sure the doctor clearly understands your condition and the signs and symptoms. Talk to your doctor about all the prescriptions, over-the-counter medications, herbs and supplements you take, as well as about the use of alcohol and other drugs. Ask your doctor if there is any alternative medication with ingredients that have less potential for addiction.
Check with your doctor. Talk to your doctor regularly to make sure that the medication you are taking works and that you are taking the correct dose.
Follow the instructions carefully. Take the medications the way they prescribed them. Do not interrupt or change the dose of a medication on your own if it seems that it is not working without first talking to the doctor. For example, if you are taking a pain medication that is not adequately controlling your pain, do not drink more.
Know the effect of your medications. Ask the doctor or pharmacist about the effects of your medication, so you know what to expect. Also find out if other drugs, over-the-counter products or alcohol should be avoided when taking this medication.
Never use another person's recipe. We are all different. Even if you have a similar illness, it may not be the right medication or dose for you.
Do not buy prescription drugs online, unless they are from a reliable pharmacy. Some websites sell counterfeit prescription and over-the-counter medications that could be dangerous.
Prevention of prescription drug abuse by adolescents
Prescription medications are substances generally misused by young people. Follow these steps to help prevent your teen from abusing prescription drugs.
Talk about the dangers. Emphasize to your teenager that the fact that the medications have been prescribed by a doctor does not make them safe, especially if they were prescribed to third parties or if your child already consumes other prescription medications.
Establish rules. Let your child know that it is not OK to share medications with third parties or to take prescription medications from third parties. Emphasize the importance of taking the prescribed dose and talking with the doctor before making changes.
Talk about the dangers of drinking alcoholic beverages. The consumption of alcoholic beverages in conjunction with medications may increase the risk of an accidental overdose.
Keep prescription medications in a safe place. Keep track of quantities and keep medications in a locked cabinet.
Make sure your child is not ordering medications online. Some websites sell dangerous and counterfeit medicines that may not require a prescription.
Discard medications in the proper way. Do not leave unused or expired medications out there. Check the patient information leaflet or guide for instructions on how to dispose of them, or ask the pharmacist for advice.
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