What Are the Signs of Prescription Drug Abuse?

Modern prescription drugs have made incredible forays in restoring both physiological and psychological health, and as such, allopathy is a big boon for mankind. According to DEA, sedatives, tranquilizers, and opioids are the most abused drugs with the number of US residents seeking treatment for opioids addiction growing by more than 400 percent in the last decade. But studies show that only 1% of prescription drug abusers seek medical treatment. In this article, we are going to look into signs and symptoms of prescription drug abuse.

On the other hand, long-term, prolonged prescription drug abuse can contribute to the development of mental health conditions or the worsening of existing ones. Mental health struggles and prescription drug abuse are closely intertwined, making each impact the other in complex ways. Often, people with existing mental health conditions turn to prescription drugs as a means of self-medication to alleviate the symptoms of their condition. However, prescription drug misuse can be just as dangerous as illicit drug use. Overdose deaths are the leading cause of injury death in the U.S., and opioid addiction, including prescription pain relievers and heroin dependence, is responsible for more than half of these deaths.

• Behavioral changes like not participating in once-enjoyed activities, social withdrawal, and disrupted sleep patterns may be harder to identify.
• She genuinely loves helping people on their journey to recovery and brings a friendly, down-to-earth vibe to every session.
• They are prescribed to treat attention deficit disorder or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADD or ADHD), obesity, and narcolepsy.
• Christina has volunteered for many years with Flying Doctors, a humanitarian group that provides health services to underdeveloped areas in Mexico and Central America.

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These health problems can be life-threatening, particularly if the person is abusing prescription drugs over an extended period. 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. For example, if you are seeking opiates but cannot get what you want, it is common to turn to drug dealers who have the opiate you are looking for in pressed pills. These pressed pills may also contain fentanyl, which has high overdose and death rates and is more commonly found in illegal substances. And the most commonly abused medications fall into the categories of painkillers, sedatives, and stimulants. However, this causes exacerbation in the symptoms of conditions like depression, anxiety, and panic disorders, as well as the development of a dual diagnosis.

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Knowing these adverse effects, certain persons still forge ahead to drug addiction treatment take these drugs to feel good. Additionally, individuals who have experienced trauma may be more inclined to turn to drugs as a coping mechanism. People may use illegal synthetic cathinones on purpose—sometimes as cheaper or more accessible alternatives to other drugs—or unknowingly, as contaminants in other drugs. Synthetic cathinones, also known as bath salts, are a class of lab-made stimulants chemically related to substances found in the khat plant. Khat is a shrub grown in East Africa and southern Arabia that some people consume for its stimulant effects. Rare but serious injuries have happened with non-benzodiazepine sleep medications including sleepwalking, sleep driving, and doing other activities while not fully awake.

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By working closely with clients and their families, she ensures that every plan is tailored to individual needs, strengths, and aspirations. As the Supervisor of Group Counseling, Katie ensures our clients in both the educational and group setting are getting the tools they need to be successful in recovery. Katie provides a compassionate and safe environment for our clients to work through the tough issues, make the necessary changes, and find joy in life again. Katie takes an active role in each client’s recovery, and works individually with them to ensure they get the most out of the Elevate curriculum, and achieve their individual treatment plan goals. Carrie’s duties are individually counseling clients weekly throughout their program, helping them rebuild trust with their families and set boundaries. Carrie coordinates with the client in developing their treatment plans for their treatment.

• To learn more about prescription drug abuse and addiction or our comprehensive range of care, contact our admissions team today.
• Prescription drug dependence means that the abusers body requires him to maintain a certain amount of the drug in the bloodstream, for it to function properly.
• In 2010, about 7.0 million people (or 2.7% of the population in the United States) self-reported non-medical usage of prescription medications.
• When taken as prescribed, stimulants can assist someone with ADHD to focus on tasks; however, when abused, they can increase anxiety, worsen impulsivity, and increase emotional instability 1.
• These additional symptoms can often be linked to the specific type of prescription drug being abused and the impact it has on the individual’s central nervous system.

• If you spot any signs of prescription drug addiction, get your loved ones’ help today.
• An increasing problem, prescription drug abuse can affect all age groups, including teens.
• We’ll give you skills to discover your self-worth and show you the tools for a life of hope and promise.
• If they don’t have a prescription, we have broken down the physical symptoms by drug in the sections that follow to help you better identify what medication they may be misusing.
• In modern medicine, prescription drugs play a vital role in the alleviation of pain, the management of chronic conditions, and the improvement of health overall.

Dextromethorphan is misused when it is taken in a way or dose other than directed or taken with other drugs to boost intoxicating effects. Amphetamines are prescription stimulants generally used to treat attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and narcolepsy. Amphetamines are misused when they are taken in a way or dose that’s different than prescribed or taken without a prescription. Having multiple prescriptions for a medication from different doctors is a clear sign of prescription drug abuse.

Effective treatment and care is available at First Step Behavioral Health. Contact our intake specialists to learn more about our programs or to schedule an intake appointment. Side Effects of Adderall Adderall is a commonly prescribed medication for ADHD. While it can be very helpful, it’s important to recognize the possible side effects that may affect physical and mental well-being.

Signs of Prescription Drug Abuse

Mason is detail oriented, organized, efficient oral and written communicator, and passionate about creating a positive workplace for our staff and an excellent recovery environment for our clients. We are dedicated to transforming the despair of addiction into a purposeful life of confidence, self-respect and happiness. We want to give recovering addicts the tools to return to the outside world completely substance-free and successful. If you or someone you care about is suffering from substance abuse, it’s https://ecosoberhouse.com/ crucial to seek help right away. Early intervention can prevent the situation from worsening and increase the likelihood of successful treatment and recovery.

A person’s social life is also deeply affected by prescription drug abuse. While opioids and stimulants increase the appetite for social interactions temporarily, in the long-term people tend to develop a deep apathy towards social interactions. Addicts will generally try to avoid social gatherings and often be mindless in such situations. Their friends circle also changes, and they tend to rely on people who understands them and avoid people who disagree with them. They become more empathic towards fellow abusers and feels comfortable and protected in their company.

• If you suspect someone you know may be abusing prescription drugs, it is essential to approach the situation with compassion and encourage them to seek professional help.
• Lisa works as a one-on-one counselor at Elevate Addiction Services, helping clients develop new positive coping skills to address challenging emotions and situations.
• Many individuals operate under the erroneous assumption that simply because a medication was prescribed by a physician, they are safe at all doses and for all people.
• However, when misused, they can also be highly addictive and negatively affect someone’s physical and mental health.
• The blog found emergency room visits by people ages 13 to 22 over 11 years were overprescribed opioids.
• In addition to emotional challenges, those misusing prescription drugs may also encounter cognitive difficulties such as memory lapses and concentration problems.

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Tim is an experienced and talented administrator and director of mental health and addiction treatment facilities. Tim also spent several years as CEO to Eric Clapton’s facility in the Caribbean, Crossroads of Antigua. Mason Ungar is a Certified Alcohol Drug Counselor-Clinical Supervisor who manages the Elevate Addiction Services South Lake Tahoe facility. Mason has worked in the drug and alcohol rehabilitation field for over 18 years, holding many positions throughout his career including conduct intervention counseling, family advising, and one-on-one counseling. With 2 years of experience in the field, she is committed to creating personalized recovery plans that empower clients to achieve long-term success. Camille believes that recovery is not just about overcoming addiction but also about building a meaningful and fulfilling life afterward.