Prescription Drug Information
One of the fastest-rising
categories of substance abuse involved prescription drugs. These drugs
are medically prescribed but have a high potential for a buse, thus some
legitimate users become dependent and other drug users seek out prescription
drugs as alternative to illegal drugs. Either way, a drug is still a drug. The
three most common categories of prescription drugs that are abused are
opiates (painkillers), CNS depressants (sedatives) and
stimulants.
Opiates are commonly prescribed because of their painkilling effects. Drugs that fall within this class-referred to as prescription narcotics include morphine, codeine, hydrocodone oxycodone, and related drugs (Vicodin, OxyContin, Lortab, Percocet, Darvocet, Percodan). Morphine, for example, is often used before and after surgical procedures to alleviate severe pain. Codeine, on the other hand, is often prescribed for mild pain. In addition to their pain-relieving properties, some of these drugs-codeine and diphenoxylate for example-can be used to relieve coughs and diarrhea. One can easily become dependent on opiates after continued use. Withdrawal symptoms include restlessness, muscle and bone pain, insomnia, diarrhea, vomiting, cold flashes with goose bumps ("cold turkey"), and involuntary leg movements. Long-term use of opioids can lead to physical dependence and addiction. Taking a large single dose of an opioid could cause severe respiratory depression that can lead to death.
CNS depressants, sometimes referred to as sedatives and tranquilizers, are substances that can slow normal brain function. Barbiturates, such as mephobarbital (Mebaral) and pentobarbital sodium (Nembutal), are used to treat anxiety, tension, and sleep disorders. Benzodiazepines, such as diazepam (Valium), chlordiazepoxide HCl (Librium), and alprazolam (Xanax), are prescribed to treat anxiety, acute stress reactions, and panic attacks. The more sedating benzodiazepines, such as triazolam (Halcion) and estazolam (ProSom) are prescribed for short-term treatment of sleep disorders. Usually, benzodiazepines are not prescribed for long-term use. During the first few days of taking a prescribed CNS depressant, a person usually feels sleepy and uncoordinated, but as the body becomes accustomed to the effects of the drug, these feelings begin to disappear. If one uses these drugs long term, the body will develop tolerance for the drugs, and larger doses will be needed to achieve the same initial effects. Continued use can lead to physical dependence and - when use is reduced or stopped - withdrawal. Because all CNS depressants work by slowing the brain's activity, when an individual stops taking them, the brain's activity can rebound and race out of control, potentially leading to seizures and other harmful consequences. Although withdrawal from benzodiazepines can be problematic, it is rarely life threatening, whereas withdrawal from prolonged use of other CNS depressants can have life-threatening complications. Therefore, someone who is thinking about discontinuing CNS depressant therapy or who is suffering withdrawal from a CNS depressant should speak with a physician or seek proper treatment.
Stimulants, such as dextroamphetamine (Dexedrine and Adderall) and methylphenidate (Ritalin and Concerta) increase alertness, attention, and energy, as well as elevate blood pressure and increase heart rate and respiration. As with other drugs of abuse, it is possible for individuals to become dependent upon or addicted to many stimulants. Withdrawal symptoms associated with discontinuing stimulant use include fatigue, depression, and disturbance of sleep patterns. Repeated use of some stimulants over a short period can lead to feelings of hostility or paranoia. Further, taking high doses of a stimulant may result in dangerously high body temperature and an irregular heartbeat. There is also the potential for cardiovascular failure or lethal seizures.
It is important to remember that prescription drugs can be every bit as dangerous and addictive as illegal drugs, since they are all toxic substances, and may require an effective drug rehab program to help handle the problem.
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