Dan has been working in the substance abuse treatment industry for over 25 years. His passion is helping addicts holistically and through a blend of both western and eastern Prescription Drug Abuse: Causes, Signs and Treatment philosophies. Mason is detail oriented, organized, efficient oral and written communicator, and passionate about creating a positive workplace for our staff and an excellent recovery environment for our clients.
Medical consequences
The symptoms have been broken down into general symptoms and those specific to the drug of abuse. Anti-anxiety drugs and sedatives, including Xanax, Valium, and Ambien, are prescribed to individuals who are heroin addiction struggling with anxiety or sleep disorders. Individuals who abuse these drugs often report doing so in order to counteract the effects of stimulants such as cocaine or methamphetamine, or to increase intoxication by mixing them with other downers such as alcohol or opioid narcotics. Understanding the signs, symptoms, causes and effects of prescription drug addiction is an important first step toward healing and recovery. If you’re ready to step into a new life free from dependence and addiction to prescription drugs, contact a recovery center near you.
- This can be attributed to the underlying addictive tendencies and the potential for cross-addiction.
- Mason Ungar is a Certified Alcohol Drug Counselor-Clinical Supervisor who manages the Elevate Addiction Services South Lake Tahoe facility.
- Denial and anger are common reactions, and you may be concerned about creating conflict or damaging your relationship with that person.
- It’s possible but not common to become addicted to or dependent on opioids when you use them for a short time or under a doctor’s close watch.
What Is Prescription Drug Abuse?
Stimulants used https://ecosober.com/ for ADHD, including amphetamines and methylphenidate, add to the mix, with around 1.7 million misusing them. In the U.S., steroids are a prescription drug that doctors use to treat various conditions, such as delayed puberty or muscle wasting from AIDS. These potent medications are prescribed for acute or chronic pain, as well as to relieve pain after surgery. The content in this blog is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Stimulants boost alertness, attention, and energy while raising blood pressure, heart rate, and respiration.
- Keep your medication in a safe place and keep track of the quantities.
- Urban areas, for instance, may have higher rates of prescription drug abuse due to a greater concentration of healthcare facilities and pharmacies.
- Approximately 6% of Americans over the age of 12 are reported to abuse prescription drugs annually, which equates to around 16.3 million individuals misusing these drugs each year.
- Addiction is a severe disease of the mind and withdrawal takes more than a strong character and will power.
Behavioral Signs of Prescription Drug Abuse
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. Depressants, such as benzodiazepines (like diazepam and alprazolam), also hold a significant share in prescription misuse; 6.1 million individuals reported misusing these in the past year.
Treatment Can Be Life Changing. Reach out today.
The period for the treatment is relative depending on how fast the patient recovers and the extent to which addiction had affected them. Whether you are struggling with addiction, mental health or both, our expert team is here to guide you every step of the way. Don’t wait— reach out today to take the first step toward taking control of your life. Keep an eye out for signs of abuse, like behavior changes or missing medicines. Encourage your loved one to be honest about drug use and to accept help if needed.
Non-sanctioned, non-medical, or non-prescribed use of these controlled substances is considered drug abuse, often leading to Substance Use Disorder (SUD). These substances are likely to create physical or psychological dependence, contributing to concurrent mental health conditions such as Any Mental Illness (AMI) and Major Depressive Episode (MDE). Angie has dedicated her life to freeing those suffering from drug and alcohol addiction. Her wealth of experience coupled with her natural talent for connecting with people and a deep desire to make a difference in the world has made Angie the leader she is today. His primary strengths include clinical insight into substance abuse/mental health, hard work ethic, and ability to work well under pressure. Skill sets include counseling/clinical competency, revenue generation strategies, strong written/oral communication skills, insurance billing/contracting knowledge and general empathy for others struggling with substance use disorders.