Oasis Behavioral Health Hospital helps individuals struggling with prescription drug addiction build a strong foundation for long-term recovery. Serving the Chandler community, Oasis is the premier provider of mental health & co-occurring addiction treatment for adolescents and adults.

Understanding Prescription Drug Addiction

Learn about prescription drugs and substance abuse

Most people who go to the doctor for treatment of a diagnosable medical condition and are prescribed certain classes of drugs take these drugs exactly as prescribed, for the appropriate length of time, and stop the drug when the course of the medication is over. However, there are several classes of prescription drugs that can lead to prescription drug abuse, a term used to describe any or all of the following behaviors:

Taking a medication prescribed for another person
Taking a larger dose than prescribed
Taking medication in a way other than intended, such as crushing tablets and snorting them
Using prescription medication for a nonmedical purpose, such as getting high

In recent years, there has been a marked increase in the abuse of prescription drugs, leading to a parallel increase in emergency department visits due to accidental overdoses in addition to an increase in admissions to drug rehab centers. The most commonly prescribed prescription medications that are diverted and abused include three main categories:

Opioids: also known as “narcotics” are powerful prescription painkillers such as Vicodin, OxyContin, and codeine, which cause feelings of blissful euphoria.

CNS depressants: including benzodiazepines, such as Xanax, Valium, Klonopin, and barbiturates like Seconal or phenobarbital, are powerful drugs used to manage anxiety and induce sedation. Depressants are commonly abused with alcohol and other drugs.

Stimulants: cause an increase in alertness, energy, and attention and are used in the management of obesity, ADHD, depression, and other issues. Stimulants include Adderall, Dexedrine, and Ritalin.

Statistics

Prescription drug addiction statistics

Prescription drug abuse is on the rise in the United States. The National Institute on Drug Abuse estimate 48 million people aged 12 and older have used prescription drugs for nonmedical purposes. That figure roughly equates to 20% of the population of the United States.

Causes and Risk Factors

Causes and risk factors for prescription drug addiction

Researchers in the field of addiction tend to agree that addiction is not the result of a single root cause, rather it is a combination of environmental, genetic, and physical risk factors working together. The most commonly cited causes and risk factors for prescription drug abuse include:

Genetic: Addiction is known to run in families, although not all family members may become addicted to the same substance. People who have a first-degree relative, such as a parent or sibling, are at a higher risk for developing addiction than others without a similar history.

Physical: As drugs of abuse, including prescription drugs of abuse, stimulate the pleasure center of the brain, it’s understood that long-term drug use does lead to changes in the structure and function of the brain.

Environmental: Many environmental stressors have been linked to the development of addiction, including early exposure to drugs or alcohol, and chaotic family life.

Risk Factors:

Being male
Being between ages 18 and 25
Lack of family involvement
Additional mental health problems such as ADHD
Anxiety, depression, and loneliness
Use of a highly addictive drug, such as cocaine

Signs and Symptoms

Signs and symptoms of prescription drug addiction

The signs and symptoms of prescription drug abuse will vary based upon the type of drug used, individual genetic makeup, use of more than one drug, and length of addiction. The most common signs and symptoms of prescription drug abuse may include:

Symptoms of opioid abuse:

Constipation
Depression
Hypotension
Decreased respirations
Confusion
Sweating
Impaired coordination

Symptoms of CNS depressant abuse:

Drowsiness and sedation
Nystagmus
Confusion
Impaired judgment
Syncope
Unsteady gait

Symptoms of stimulant abuse:

Weight loss
Agitation
Irritability
Insomnia
Hypertension
Cardiac arrhythmias
Restlessness
Increased impulsive behaviors

Other symptoms of prescription drug abuse:

Stealing, forging, selling prescriptions
Taking doses higher than prescribed
Extreme mood swings
Excessive hostility
Poor decision-making abilities
Increased or decreased need for sleep
Appearing to be unusually amped up, sedated, or intoxicated
Frequently “losing” prescriptions with the intent of obtaining more prescriptions
“Doctor shopping” or seeking prescriptions from more than one doctor

Effects

Effects of prescription drug addiction

With long-term usage, there are a host of unpleasant – sometimes deadly – consequences associated with prescription drug abuse. Effects of prescription drug abuse will vary based upon length of abuse, drug of choice, presence of more than one drug, and individual makeup. Consequences of long-term prescription drug abuse may include:

Effects of opiate abuse:

Increased risk for choking
Hypotension
Slowed or stopped respiration rate
Coma

Effects of CNS depressant abuse:

Impaired memory
Hypotension
Slowed breathing

Effects of stimulant abuse:

Dangerous hyperthermia
Cardiac problems
Hypertension
Seizures or tremors
Hallucinations
Aggressiveness
Paranoia

Other effects of prescription drug abuse:

Addiction
Engaging in risky behaviors
Poor judgment
Using illegal drugs
Involvement in car accidents
Increased crimes
Decreased performance at school or work
Impaired interpersonal relationships

Withdrawal and Overdose

Effects of prescription drug withdrawal and overdose

Withdrawal from prescription medications should always be treated under the trained guidance of a physician as many of these drugs can cause dangerous withdrawal symptoms. If an overdose to any of these prescription drugs is suspected, do not hesitate to call 911 immediately.

Withdrawal from opiates: