In today’s medical market there is a pill for everything. Everything? Everything. From your run of the mill fears such as public speaking or flying to the chronic pain caused by a car accident, drugs are prescribed for every ailment you can possibly imagine. A direct result of treating symptoms instead of the actual disease, the ubiquitousness of these narcotics has led to a sharp and steadily increasing rise in their abuse. According to sources inside of the Centers for Disease Control the United States is currently in the throes of a nationwide prescription drug abuse epidemic. There is a common misconception, among teenagers and young adults especially, that pills prescribed by a doctor are somehow harmless as opposed to drugs found on the street. Many people are simply unaware of the very serious dangers of giving prescription medications to someone other than the intended patient.
OPIOIDS
I’m sure it comes as no great surprise that opioids are first on the list for the single most frequently abused class of drug. Opioids are a narcotic that binds themselves to one or more of the three opioid receptors in the brain. Generally used for purposes of anaesthetization and pain relief, this class of drugs can be highly addictive, even in cases where it is used exactly as prescribed. Drugs that fall under this category include Fentanyl (Duragesic), Hydrocodone (Vicodin), Oxycodone (Oxycontin), and Oxymorphone (Darvon). Signs of opioid abuse are euphoria followed quickly by lethargy, confusion, dizziness, drowsiness, constipation, trouble breathing, and vomiting.
CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM (CNS) DEPRESSANTS
Central nervous system depressants are a type of drug that slows down brain activity, which causes the muscles to relax and has a soothing effect. This class of drugs is commonly used to treat things like insomnia and anxiety. In their properly prescribed doses, these drugs can have a therapeutic and helpful effect on the patient. Outside of their intended use, however, they can be extremely damaging. Drugs such as Pentobarbital sodium (Nembutal), Diazepam (Valium), and Alprazolam (Xanax) fall under this category along with any other barbiturates and benzodiazepines. Symptoms of the misuse of these drugs include memory issues, changes in vision, irritability, confusion, loss of normal coordination, and slurred speech.
STIMULANTS
The term “stimulant” applies to any drug that increases the activity of the central nervous system drugs that are pleasurable and invigorating and drugs that have sympathomimetic effects. If you take a pill that gives you an uncontrollable urge to clean all the grout in your bathroom with a toothbrush and trim your hedges with a pair of scissors at 3:00 in the morning, you can be assured it was a stimulant. Popular stimulants for recreational abuse include Dextroamphetamine (Dexedrine), Methylphenidate (Ritalin and Concerta), and Amphetamines (Adderall). The abuse of stimulant drugs is often indicated by paranoia brought on by a lack of sleep, hallucinations, loss of appetite, rapid heartbeat, rapid weight loss, dilated pupils, aggressiveness and hostility, and euphoria.
Approximately 16 million people in the United States today abuse prescription drugs, and this prescription drug abuse can have the same devastating effects on your physical and mental health as drugs bought off the street. If you or someone you love is struggling with an addiction to a prescription drug addiction, we encourage you to reach out to the caring, knowledgeable staff here at Asana Recovery. We offer both detox and residential treatment options with a well trained knowledgeable staff that is here to guide you every step of the way on your journey to recovery. Reach out to us today and see how we can help you.
