The phrase popping pills refers to the misuse or overuse of prescription medications, often in ways not intended by a doctor. This can include taking higher doses than prescribed, using someone else’s medication, or crushing and snorting pills for a faster effect. Some people misuse prescription drugs to self-medicate prescription drug abuse for stress or pain, while others take them recreationally for their euphoric or calming effects. Some of the most commonly abused prescription drugs include opioids, stimulants, and benzodiazepines.
Types Of Substance Abuse: The Different Forms of Addiction
- She genuinely loves helping people on their journey to recovery and brings a friendly, down-to-earth vibe to every session.
- Angie maintains involvement with the day to day operations, continually looking for ways to improve and innovate.
- For instance, a study by the University of Michigan revealed that 9% of college students admitted to misusing Adderall.
- Later that year, HHS provided opioid tapering guidance for clinicians considering reducing opioid therapy for individuals experiencing chronic pain.
They might also believe that the medicines are safe because they’re prescription. Treatment for opioid addiction includes medications that can help people get control without a high chance of addiction. Millions of people in the U.S. use benzodiazepines (Ativan, Valium, Xanax) to treat anxiety and sleep disorders, including insomnia. Older adults are particularly vulnerable to the other adverse effects of anticholinergic drugs, including constipation (which, in turn, can cause urinary incontinence), blurred vision, dizziness, anxiety, depression and hallucinations. Acetaminophen (Tylenol) may be another option, but again, it’s important to consult your doctor about risks, side effects and drug interactions for all medications. It’s also possible that other potentially treatable health issues not related to the medication may be messing with your memory, such as anxiety and poor sleep.
How many people have a prescription tranquilizer or sedative use disorder?
Hallucinogen abuse may lead to psychological dependency and long-term mental health issues. Misusing prescription drugs can result in severe health complications, including respiratory depression, heart problems, and overdose. Dependency on these drugs can also impact daily functioning, relationships, and mental health. 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.
More on Substance Abuse and Addiction
Contingency management, for example, uses a system that enables patients to earn vouchers for drug-free urine tests. (These vouchers can be exchanged for items that Sobriety promote healthy living.) Cognitive-behavioral therapy also may be an effective treatment for addressing stimulant addiction. Finally, recovery support groups may be helpful in conjunction with behavioral therapy. These pharmacological treatments counter the effects of the drug on the brain and behavior, and can be used to relieve withdrawal symptoms, treat an overdose or help overcome drug cravings.
- Dependence, also called drug tolerance, refers to the body’s response to long-term drug use.
- Positive psychology is a treatment approach that believes all people want to lead fulfilling and meaningful personal and professional lives.
- Stimulants increase focus and energy but can be highly addictive when taken in large doses or without a prescription.
This dopamine surge produces a “high” that encourages repeated use, potentially leading to dependency or a need to consume higher doses to achieve the same effect. Understanding which prescription drugs are commonly misused is the first step towards addressing and preventing addiction. There are prescription drug addiction treatment options available, including detoxification, therapy, and medication-assisted treatment. Seeking guidance from a healthcare provider or a professional addiction treatment center like Elevate Rehab can help identify the appropriate treatment plan and support the journey toward long-term sobriety.
