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Prescription Drug Abuse Can Lead to Addiction

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Prescription drug abuse is a term that has been becoming more commonly used over the last few years. The average person only takes medication that has been prescribed to them for medical reasons deemed suitable from a qualified physician. It is when an individual begins abusing prescription medications, often taking more than the recommended dosage, in order to get “high” that addiction becomes a very real possibility. Studies indicate that an estimated 20% of the population in the United States have used drugs for nonmedical reasons.

Abusing certain types of medications can lead to addiction.  These can be stimulants, sedatives, tranquilizers and narcotic pain killers. The most commonly abused prescription medications are opiates and benzodiazepines. Opiates are so named for their chemical derivatives found in the elements of opium. The four major active opiates made from opium are Papaverine, Thebaine, Codeine and Morphine. Derived from these four substances are synthetic opioids such as hydrocodone, oxycodone, and heroin.  Benzodiazepines or “Benzos” for short are a fusion of the medications Benzene and Diazipine.  The fusion of these chemicals produces a wide variety of Benzodiazepines.  To name a few are Diazepam (Valium), Alprazolam (Xanax), and Clonazepam (Klonopin). These medications are prescribed for the treatment of anything from sleep insomnia to anxiety disorders.

Prescription drug abuse can lead to physical addiction as your body’s chemistry builds a tolerance to the prescription drugs. Your tolerance and dependency for the drug keeps rising. At this point you will experience withdrawal symptoms if the usage of the drug is stopped abruptly. Once addicted, your body will feel the need to have the drug in order to feel well enough just to get out of bed and function normally without feeling sick. You will begin to use the prescribed drug in order to deal with everyday issues, including psychological, physical and emotional problems.

There are many treatment centers over the whole country to help people deal with and overcome prescription drug addiction. There are also many different types of treatment available for prescription drug abuse.  There are in-patient treatment facilities where one is supervised and watched over in a hospital setting staffed with medical professionals which eliminates many of the health concerns and pressures one may feel when attempting to achieve sobriety.  There are also out-patient programs that provide traditional 12-step programs, individual and group therapy sessions and a strong support group. These rehabilitation options could help you back to a drug free sober and productive life.