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Understanding Prescription Drug Addiction

By June 15, 2023 April 25th, 2025 No Comments

She thrives on providing families a warm and friendly connection to their loved ones treatment process which in turn helps not only the families, but our clients. Counseling is the most common treatment for addiction to CNS depressants or stimulants. You might also need to detoxify (“detox”) your body under a doctor’s care. Doctors recommend that people who misuse opioids keep naloxone, a medication that can reverse an overdose. Other drug treatments for opiate withdrawal include methadone and the blood pressure medicine clonidine.

prescription drug abuse symptoms

Physical signs of substance abuse

  • Prescription opiates include codeine, morphine and oxycodone, typically prescribed to manage pain.
  • Or, if you find yourself demonstrating any of these signs, be honest with yourself about what you’re going through.
  • Dextromethorphan is not considered to have significant addiction risk, as its misuse may produce unpleasant dissociative and gastrointestinal symptoms.
  • You may be addicted to the medicine after you begin consuming it to eliminate a medical problem.
  • If you or a loved one is using prescription drugs, you should be aware of the signs of drug abuse.

When someone struggles with prescription drug abuse, treatment is comprehensive and often includes a combination of interventions — medical, psychological, and behavioral. Prescription medication abuse is a serious issue affecting people from all walks of life. By recognizing the signs and symptoms and seeking help early on, it’s possible to overcome addiction and achieve long-term recovery through a prescription drugs rehab program. If you or a loved one is struggling with prescription drug abuse, reach out to Elevate Rehab today to learn more about our holistic rehab approach to drug addiction treatment and how we can help. Prescription drug abuse is the usage of prescription medications in a way not intended by the prescribing physician for the effects produced by taking the drug.

  • Such symptoms can have a negative impact on job performance, academic endeavours, and the overall ability to manage life’s tasks.
  • Lofexidine is an FDA-approved medication to reduce opioid withdrawal symptoms.
  • This often includes detoxification, medication management, psychotherapy, and group therapy.

Though stimulants fundamentally follow the same pattern, they do the exact opposite of depressants; they increase the number of neurotransmitters in the brain along with their potency. Stimulants create a mental perception of invincibility and in high doses, similar effects to cocaine abuse. Because these drugs are prescribed by doctors, who are highly respected professionals in our society, people tend to perceive them as less harmful than they potentially can be. There are a number of judgment biases in the field of psychology that explain how perceptions of prescription pills become warped in the minds of their users.

Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT)

Spotting the signs of prescription drug abuse early can help prevent serious health problems. At first, the changes might be small, but over time, physical, emotional, and behavioral shifts can become more obvious. It is important to understand how prescription drug abuse starts, what the warning signs are, and how to prevent it. Whether you’re worried about someone you love or just want to be informed, this guide will help you recognize the risks, understand the effects, and explore treatment options.

How do people take khat?

Misusing them by taking too much, using them without a prescription, or mixing them with alcohol can lead to serious health issues, addiction, or even overdose. There are lots of different prescription drugs that can cause a person’s memory to fade. From anti-anxiety medications like Xanax to narcotics like Vicodin, these prescriptions will make some people more forgetful. Those who abuse prescription drugs spend a ton of time trying to get their hands on them to fuel their addiction. And they can get very agitated when prescription drugs aren’t available. Provide the highest quality clinical care through evidence-based treatment practices and innovative supportive strategies to improve and heal the lives of individuals suffering from substance use disorder.

signs of prescription drug abuse

Treatment for opioid addiction includes medications that can help people get control without a high chance of addiction. Education can empower patients to use prescription medication responsibly and seek heroin addiction help when needed, lessening the potential for misuse and improving outcomes. Withdrawal symptoms also pose a significant risk and can include a range of physical and psychological symptoms that require medical intervention.

How to Manage Feelings of Anxiety in Social Situations

If you spot any signs of prescription drug addiction, get your loved ones’ help today. If you are struggling with prescription drug abuse or even alcohol abuse, it is important to seek professional help and detox safely. In the U.S. the lifetime prevalence rate for prescription drug addiction in adults has been estimated to be over 2.7%.

How does hydromorphone make people feel?

Dopamine is the hormone responsible for the perception of happiness while GABA is an important transmitter of neural signals. Depressants affect the brain by minimizing the effects of these neurotransmitters and then taking over their chemical functions, especially that of GABA. It’s important to understand that certain classes of opioids are naturally synthesized in our brain during stressful situations as a natural defense mechanism against stress attacks. U-4770 is an illegally made synthetic (lab-made) opioid that is about 7.5 times the strength of morphine.

Understanding and identifying the signs of substance abuse is crucial for early intervention and preventing potential tragedies. Substance use disorders (SUD) affect individuals’ health, relationships, and daily functions, often leading to severe mental and physical complications. This guide outlines the key signs of substance abuse and addiction, aiding in recognizing patterns that might otherwise be overlooked. In 2017, the National Institute of Health (NIDA) estimated 18 million Americans over 12 misused prescription drugs. So, knowing the prescription drugs’ side effects and the prescription drug addiction symptoms can save you or someone you love. Knowing the signs of opioid overdose if you or a loved one is struggling with prescription drug abuse can save a life.

This equates to more than 15 million people being addicted to a prescription drug. In https://ecosoberhouse.com/article/can-you-get-addicted-to-ibuprofen/ year olds the prevalence rate has been estimated at 6%, while for those age almost 3.5% reported using prescription drugs for recreational purposes. In this younger demographic over 8%  reported taking Vicodin, while over 5% reported using Oxycodone. As most people, especially teens, don’t seek treatment for this problem, these statistics are considered underestimates.