If you struggle to manage your mental health symptoms, you might lean on medication for relief. You might use prescription drugs to reduce anxiety or numb feelings of sadness or hopelessness; however, in the long term, abusing these drugs can worsen these feelings. While alcohol and marijuana are the most commonly abused substances, prescription drugs (particularly opioids) and synthetic drugs pose the highest risks of overdose and mortality due to their potency 3. And the most commonly abused medications fall into the categories of painkillers, sedatives, and stimulants.
Signs and symptoms of prescription drug abuse
We offer a full continuum of substance abuse addiction treatment including detox, residential, partial hospitalization, and intensive outpatient programs. Prescription drug addiction can develop quickly, especially when a person builds tolerance and needs higher doses to achieve the same effect. Many people who misuse medications start with a legitimate prescription but gradually become dependent on the drug. Mason Ungar is a Certified Alcohol Drug Counselor-Clinical Supervisor who manages the Elevate Addiction Services South Lake Tahoe facility. As a Regional Director, Mason is responsible for all aspects of the South Lake Tahoe facility, including staffing, finances, rehabilitation services, community activities, certification and licensing and facility maintenance.
Stimulants (ADHD Medications)
These are the body’s chemical messengers that help you to think, move, prescription drug abuse breathe and function generally, and when they don’t work like they should, a number of problems can occur, including issues with thinking and memory. Drugs that affect short-term memory can interfere with a person’s ability to focus and process information. These medications disrupt so-called messenger pathways in the brain, Merrey says, “changing the short-term memory processing.” Once a person stops taking the medications, however, short-term memory improves. For updated information on reducing the risks related to prescription opioids, clinicians can refer to the 2022 CDC Clinical Practice Guideline for Prescribing Opioids for Pain. That being said, your environment also plays a major role in the likelihood of developing an addiction. A person’s upbringing can have a major impact on the development of addiction, especially if you grew up with substance use or alcohol use in the home.
What is Prescription Drug Abuse?
Nicotine is highly addictive, and prolonged use can lead to significant health complications. Vaping, though often marketed as a safer alternative, also has potential health risks. Heavy drinking can lead to serious health conditions, such as cirrhosis of the liver, cardiovascular disease, and neurological damage. Additionally, alcohol abuse often contributes to social and financial issues, affecting relationships and overall quality of life. Dan is passionate about disrupting the current addiction treatment model in the USA and wants to see people overcome their addiction issues and not just remain sober, but thrive in life while living their passion. Jeffrey’s current role as supervisor for one on one counseling allows him to spend time with each client in a one on one setting.
A growing number of older adults and an increasing number of injured military service members add to the urgency of finding new treatments. Yes, you can overdose on prescription drugs, particularly when taken in excessive amounts or mixed with alcohol and other medications. Opioids, sedatives, and stimulants are the most common prescription medications that can lead to life-threatening overdoses requiring immediate medical attention. If you or your loved one is seeking help for prescription drug addiction, please reach out to our team. We’d be more than happy to walk you through your treatment options and provide more information about our medical detox, drug and alcohol rehab, and outpatient addiction treatment programs throughout the Los Angeles, CA area. Oftentimes, when you are struggling with prescription drug abuse, it’s common to turn to more illicit and illegal drugs when your ability to obtain your drug of choice ends.
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- In addition, research has shown that women are at increased risk for nonmedical use of narcotic analgesics and tranquilizers (e.g., benzodiazepines).
- Higher doses of certain medications can increase the risk of memory loss, so it’s essential to find the right balance.
Specifically, the survey found that 5.0 percent of 12th graders marijuana addiction reported using OxyContin without a prescription in the past year, and 9.3 percent reported using Vicodin, making Vicodin one of the most commonly abused licit drugs in this population. Past year, nonmedical use of tranquilizers (e.g., Valium, Xanax) in 2004 was 2.5 percent for 8th graders, 5.1 percent for 10th graders and 7.3 percent for 12th graders. Also within the past year, 6.5 percent of 12th graders used sedatives/ barbiturates (e.g., Amytal, Nembutal) nonmedically and 10.0 percent used amphetamines (e.g., Ritalin, Benzedrine). Only under a physician’s supervision can opioids be used safely with other drugs. Individuals addicted to stimulants may face withdrawal symptoms such as cravings, anxiety, depression and fatigue when trying to cease use.
