It’s estimated that 52 million Americans use prescription medications for non-medical reasons at some point in their lifetimes, with many of those people going on to develop addictions to the drugs.
Just because prescription medications are legal doesn’t mean they’re safe – if used incorrectly, prescription drugs can be just as dangerous as controlled substances. If you or someone you love is struggling with this form of addiction, get in touch today.
Signs & Symptoms
There are many signs and symptoms that someone may be abusing prescription drugs, and the signs may vary from person to person depending on the type of drug they’re abusing. The most common physical and mental effects include:
- Constipation problems
- Feeling “high” or euphoric
- Confusion and drowsiness
- Unsteady walking (falling over etc.)
- Irregular heartbeat
- Slurred speech
- Overly-increased sense of alertness
- Poor concentration and short attention span
- Memory problems
- Insomnia and sleep problems
- Reduced appetite
- Slowed breathing rate
- Anxiety and becoming easily irritable
- Paranoia
Symptoms can vary according to the type of prescription drug being abused, so it’s helpful to look up symptoms for the specific drug.
Effects of Prescription Drug Addiction
There are many risk factors associated with prescription drug addiction. The most obvious risk is patterns of addiction and dependence – when you need to keep taking a prescription drug recreationally in order to feel “normal” or “happy”. This is a slippery slope that can lead to long-term prescription drug addiction.
Your social circle can also be a risk factor, especially if you’re associated with people who encourage recreational drug-taking. Easy access to prescription medication may also be a risk factor, which is why many teens end up abusing their parents’ prescription pills. A lack of knowledge and pre-existing psychological conditions are also common risk factors.
Prescription Drug Abuse Statistics
Prescription medication abuse is a surprisingly large problem for US teens, who often use these substances recreationally before becoming addicted. For example, 9.7% of 12th-graders said they have used Vicodin recreationally in the last year. Similarly, 4.7% of High School Seniors said they have taken OxyContin recreationally in the last year.
Amphetamine abuse is very common in this age group, especially with prescription amphetamine drugs which are easier to get hold of. 6.8% of 12th graders, 6.4% of 10th graders, and 4.5% of 8th graders reported they had used amphetamines for non-medical reasons in the past year.
Though prescription medication abuse is a problem across all age groups, it remains a prevalent problem for US teens in particular.
Addiction Treatment Programs
Withdrawal symptoms vary according to the type of drug being abused, but they remain very common. Many people struggling with dependence will experience withdrawal symptoms when they stop taking a drug. This could include aches and pains in the body, exhaustion, agitation, hallucinations, and mental problems like anxiety and depression. It all depends on the substance at hand.
Here at Lantana Recovery, we offer multiple different addiction treatment plans to treat prescription drug addiction. We can facilitate individual or group therapy counseling to help explore the root cause of the issues. Our trained specialists can help assist you through the withdrawal process and explore medication that makes the process easier to manage. We’ll tailor your addiction treatment to your specific needs.
FAQs
Who is most at risk for prescribed' medication addiction?
US teens are at most risk for prescription drug addiction. This is because the drugs are relatively affordable and they can often get hold of them from their parents’ medicine cabinet or other places.
What are the most commonly abused prescription drugs?
The most commonly abused prescription drugs in the US include barbiturates, benzodiazepines, sleep medications, opioids, morphine-based pain relievers, amphetamines, ADHD medications, and cough syrups.
What are the legal consequences of abusing prescription medications?
Using prescription drugs for non-medical reasons is usually illegal, and giving/selling them to other people (even if you think it will help them) can also be classified as prescription drug fraud.
