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Prescription Drug Addiction: Definition, Signs and Symptoms, Effects, Treatment

Addiction cannot be completely cured but can be effectively managed through long-term treatment, support systems, and ongoing recovery programs. These groups and initiatives create a supportive environment where individuals share experiences, build accountability, and access resources for ongoing recovery. Treatment, therapy, and ongoing support help people stay sober and rediscover joy and purpose. Opioid withdrawal is often intensely uncomfortable but rarely life-threatening. Benzodiazepine withdrawal, however, can cause seizures and severe medical emergencies.

  • Lightning Diagnostics provides diagnostic tools that help families, healthcare providers, and employers take meaningful steps toward resolution.
  • When taken as prescribed, stimulants can assist someone with ADHD to focus on tasks; however, when abused, they can increase anxiety, worsen impulsivity, and increase emotional instability 1.
  • The unpredictability of emotions can strain relationships and make it difficult for loved ones to understand and support the person struggling with prescription drug abuse.
  • It’s not uncommon to have an initial prescription for opioids for a legitimate reason, such as after an injury or surgery, but then the development of a tolerance can occur.
  • They can help people recover from short-term illnesses and injuries, or treat chronic conditions so that people can function and continue to live healthy, productive lives.

Doctor-shopping

And they can get very agitated when prescription drugs aren’t available. Some experts think that more people are abusing prescription medications because there are more drugs available. These medicines manage pain well and can help boost your quality of life when you follow your doctor’s directions on taking them. 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.

  • These drugs are commonly abused as their effects have a quick onset, which means users experience a high within minutes of ingesting the sedative1.
  • If you or someone you love struggles with prescription drug abuse or addiction, you are not alone.
  • The US Department of Health and Human Services defines prescription drug abuse as the use of a medication without a prescription, in a way other than as prescribed, or for the experience or feeling elicited.
  • Medications work in a variety of ways, and fall into several different categories, typically based on the system or disorder they treat.

Outpatient Treatment

If your loved one displays these signs, please https://ecosober.com/ reach out to an Ark Behavioral Health specialist. Our substance abuse and addiction treatment programs offer medical detox, behavioral therapy, and other forms of personalized, evidence-based care. Like all types of drug abuse, prescription drug abuse can wreak havoc on your health.

Are Common Amphetamine Side Effects Indicative of Prescription Drug Abuse?

Family members and friends are encouraged to follow up with their loved one to ensure they seek help if it’s needed. Thankfully, recovery from prescription drug abuse is possible – but it does take some time and effort. We’re here to help you find freedom from https://sungkem4d.com/addiction-recovery-stories-2/ addiction and rediscover your true self.

Prescription Drug Abuse Signs

One of the most serious risks alcoholism of drug abuse is the potential for overdose. While prescription overdoses most typically involve opioids, it is possible to overdose on stimulants or depressants, especially if they are mixed with other drugs or alcohol. The popularity of prescription drugs has been growing steadily; between 1997 and 2016, the number of prescriptions written for adults and children in America increased 85 percent, from 2.4 billion to 4.5 billion.

A legitimate prescription for pain relief or prescription drug abuse anxiety can evolve into a dangerous pattern of misuse, often going unnoticed until severe consequences emerge. Recognizing these physical symptoms is crucial in identifying drug misuse early. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that physical symptoms often accompany and highlight the misuse of prescription drugs. One of the earliest and most telling signs of heavy prescription drug use is when an individual starts taking their medication in ways or amounts not prescribed by a healthcare provider. With that in mind, let’s review what prescription drug abuse is, discuss the signs and symptoms to look out for, and explore how to help someone struggling with prescription drug abuse.

Prescription Drug Abuse Signs

This can include taking more than the recommended dosage, taking someone else’s medication, or using it for non-medical purposes. Misuse can lead to addiction, overdose, and other negative consequences. Benzodiazepines include alprazolam (Xanax), lorazepam (Ativan) and diazepam (Valium). These medications have a calming effect and can trigger relaxation and euphoria as well.

When prescription drug misuse takes hold, it often leads to neglect of responsibilities. This might include missing work or school, failing to fulfill family obligations, or neglecting household chores. Matt has been working in the substance abuse treatment field for 20 years.


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