Addiction to Prescription Drugs
Don’t fight your addiction to prescription drugs alone!
Prescription drug addiction is a dangerous epidemic that is sweeping the nation. Individuals young and old are finding themselves addicted to painkillers, muscle relaxers, ADHD medications and other forms of prescription medication for a number of reasons both related to having been previously prescribed the medications and not. Prescription drug addiction takes control of the addict’s life and can leave them feeling lost, hopeless and scared but there is help.
Most Commonly Abuse Prescription Drugs
While there are thousands of different prescription medications on the market, certain medications are more commonly abused than others. Additionally, some medications are just more addictive than others which can lead to even bigger problems. The most commonly abuse prescription drugs include:
- Morphine (an opiate used to treat chronic pain)
- Alprazolam or Xanax (used to treat anxiety)
- Hydrocodone including Vicodin, Lortab and Lorcet (used to treat pain)
- Benzodiazepines
- Oxycodone including OxyContin, Percocet, Percodan and Tylox (used to treat pain)
- Methadone (opiate used to treat pain and addiction to opiates)
- Clonezepam or Klonopin (used to treat anxiety)
- Propoxyphene including Darvocet and Darvon (used to treat pain)
- Amphetamine such as Dexedrine (used to treat ADHD and other disorders)
- Lorazepam such as Ativan (used to treat ADHD and other disorders)
- Carisoprodol such as Soma (used to treat muscle spasms)
- Diazepam such as Valium (used to treat anxiety)
Recognizing the Signs of Prescription Drug Addiction
While the signs of addiction may be quite different from one individual to the next there are some tell tale signs that drug addiction is a problem. For instance, many people who are addicted to prescription medications will begin to separate themselves from friends of family members, their work or school habits may change and there’s a good chance that they will begin to lack ambition. Additionally, many individuals who suffer from addiction also lie, cheat or steal to get the money that they need to buy more drugs.
Doctor shopping is another common sign of prescription drug addiction. Doctor shopping is a method of trying to get more drugs by going to multiple doctors at a time. This practice is closely monitored in many states but continues to be a major problem as more and more people are becoming addicted to prescription medications and will do whatever it takes to get the drugs that they feel they need.
Additional symptoms of prescription drug addiction include:
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Nausea or Vomiting when there are no drugs
- Tremors or shaking
- Withdrawal symptoms
- Loss of control over the drug use
- Life revolves around use of the prescription medications despite known consequences
Treatment for Prescription Drug Addiction
Fortunately, there is help available for those suffering from prescription drug addiction. Rehab centers provide counseling, therapy and support for patients who suffer from addiction to prescription medications such as painkillers, anti-anxiety medications, benzodiazepines and barbiturates, and any other type of prescription medication that is available. There is no need to feel alone when you are suffering from addiction—help, hope and support is available at local rehab centers that can assist you in the recovery process from detox to aftercare.