Growing Epidemic of Prescription Drug Abuse
Deaths resulting from Prescription Drug Abuse are now outnumbering those resulting from the use of Cocaine, Heroin or Marijuana. With the number of people abusing prescription drugs sales almost quadrupling since 1999, this issue has rapidly become a growing epidemic across the world. USA alone reported that approximately 6.1 million Americans abuse or misuse prescription drugs. These prescription drugs could be highly addictive resulting in dire consequences. Though governments are focusing on possible new treatments in this arsenal, creating awareness is the only measure that can help right now. Moreover, consuming prescription drugs in a way that the doctor hasn’t advised can not only be dangerous but also illegal. In fact, it is considered as drug abuse.
Why do people abuse prescription drugs?
People abuse prescription drugs to get ‘high’. Because they are easily available and there will be no questions asked, this is assumed as the legal shortcut for assuming that ‘high’. Also, some people abuse these drugs to be able to focus more. A most complex pattern in the weight loss regime also involves using prescription drugs either to kill hunger or to avoid food for hours together while in sleep. The urge to the so-called ‘ideal types’ has been responsible for people resorting to various unhealthy measures while still being aware of the negative consequences they could cause. Blame it on society or self? A complex question to be answered.
What are the drugs that are abused?
a. Central Nervous System (CNS) Depressants
Examples: estazolam (Prosom), diazepam (Valium), and alprazolam (Xanax)
Medical uses: Nervous System (CNS) depressants are medicines that are used to create a calming effect on a patient’s mind. These drugs include sedatives, tranquilizers, and hypnotics which slow down the brain activity by increasing the activity of a neurotransmitter called GABA.
The risk of addiction is high in CNS drugs. Long-term use of CNS depressants may result in inactivity of the brain. Combining CNS depressants with other medicines, such as prescription painkillers, some over-the-counter cold and allergy medicines, or other substances such as alcohol or drugs can slow down the user’s heartbeat and breathing and can sometimes kill. Quitting these drugs all of a sudden or reducing them too quickly can lead to seizures.
b. Opioids
Examples: fentanyl, codeine, oxymorphone (Opana), morphine (Kadian, Avinza), meperidine (Demerol).
Medical uses: Opioids, also called narcotics, are medications prescribed by doctors to treat persistent or severe pain. Opioids block pain messages sent from the body by attaching themselves to the proteins called opioid receptors on nerve cells in the brain, spinal cord, gut and other parts of the body. patients recovering from surgery, accident trauma or children who suffer severe injuries while playing are prescribed these medicines to overcome pain.
The risk of addiction is high in Opioids, especially when used for prolonged periods of time. The side-effects for continued use of Opioids may include vomiting, mood changes, decrease in ability to think (cognitive function), and even decreased respiratory function, coma, or death. The risk is amplified when opioids are combined with other substances like alcohol, antihistamines, and CNS depressants.
c. Stimulants
Examples: methylphenidate (Ritalin) and amphetamine/ dextroamphetamine (Adderall)
Medical uses: Stimulants are used to increase the neural activity in the brain. Stimulants are sometimes called the ‘uppers’ and make people feel more focused, alert and attentive. These drugs are typically used to treat the symptoms of ADHD, asthma and other respiratory problems as well as obesity, insomnia and certain neurological disorders.
Stimulants are highly addictive in nature. Prolonged use of stimulants can cause heart failure or seizures. High doses of stimulants can lead to dangerously high body temperature or an irregular heartbeat. Also, people become aggressive or paranoid when they administer higher doses in shorter periods of time. Combinations with other substances can sometimes result in death. Withdrawal symptoms of stimulant abuse are hard to manage and should be monitored by certified clinicians at a rehab.
While users can identify the negative consequences arising from prescription drug abuse during some point of their addiction, most of the times things would have gone out of control by then. One may think of abstaining from those drugs immediately. But, going cold turkey is the most dangerous act when it comes to addiction as it may result in unmanageable withdrawal symptoms setting in or seldom cause death in users. Approaching a good rehab once you identify your own addiction or your loved one’s addiction is the best step forward.
Phoenix Rehab Services is a leading Rehabilitation Centre in India for Substance Abuse and Behavioural Addiction. At Phoenix, we can help provide the right tools to you or your loved ones on the journey to lead a healthy life free from addiction. Our reliable & effective Drug and Alcohol Addiction Recovery Program is headed and supported by experienced & dedicated de-addiction therapists and is driven by motivated staff that is equipped to handle the various needs of patients and has years of experience in treating addiction.
Our top inpatient de-addiction program in the world, expert team handling this program, our state-of-the-art facility located in Hyderabad, India and our multi-disciplinary and medically guided holistic approach to individual patient scenarios will help you heal from your physical, psychological, emotional, social and spiritual ailments towards total Recovery.
Our Integrated Drug & Alcohol Addiction Recovery Program is a 12 Step Program approved by the World Health Organization. We are proud to mention that we enabled hundreds of successful recoveries from around the globe. In fact, the very first in-patient in our rehab happened to be from overseas.
