Understanding Prescription Drug Addiction

Learn About Prescription Drug Abuse & Addiction

Prescription medications provide relief for millions of people worldwide. When used properly, stimulants help some people focus, sedatives allow others to sleep, anti-anxiety medications bring some people peace, and pain medications help others recover and recuperate. Despite their ability to improve the lives of many, prescription medications also present the possibility of abuse.

Because of their potency, prescription medications can have dramatic effects on the brain and nervous system when used in excess of a physician’s recommendations. They can cause powerful pleasurable feelings, extreme relaxation, euphoria, and a strong sense of well-being. Pursuit of these pleasurable feelings can lead to addiction, but fortunately there is help and hope available for those who seek freedom from prescription drug addiction.

Statistics

Statistics for Prescription Drug Abuse

Prescription drug abuse is on the rise. According to the Drug Abuse Warning Network (DAWN), nearly 1 million emergency room visits in 2009 were tied to prescription drug abuse, and emergency room visits for opioids, stimulants, and depressants all increased over the prior five years. Approximately 52 million American have used prescription drugs recreationally.

Causes & Risks

Causes & Risk Factors of Prescription Drug Addiction

Researchers suggest that both genetic and environmental factors play a role in a person’s risk of developing a prescription drug use disorder. These include the following:

Genetic: A consistent body of research suggests that genetics play a role in a person’s risk of abusing prescription drugs. People with family members who abuse substances are more likely themselves to also abuse substances. Researchers are also beginning to discover certain genetic markers that may suggest an increased vulnerability to substance abuse.

Environmental: Along with heredity, a person’s environment also affects his or her chances of developing a substance use disorder. People with access to prescription drugs are more likely to abuse them. Those who grow up in home environments with substance users are also more likely to abuse substances as adults, and people whose friends abuse prescription drugs are also more likely to abuse them.

Risk Factors:

Suffering from an injury or illness requiring prescription drugs
Having a history of suffering from chronic pain
Family history of mental illness or substance use
Personal history of mental illness or substance use
Lack of adequate supervision from one’s prescribing physician
Easy access to prescription medications
Exposure to severe, chronic stress and lacking appropriate coping skills
Having a history of abuse or neglect

Signs and Symptoms

Signs & Symptoms of Prescription Drug Addiction

Because of the wide range of prescription drugs, not all cases of prescription drug abuse look the same. For example, someone who uses stimulants will look different from someone who abuses opioids. However, there are some common signs and symptoms of prescription drug abuse, such as:

Behavioral symptoms:

Visiting multiple doctors to obtain multiple different prescriptions
Stealing or lying
Unexplained absences from school or work
Declines in work and/or academic performance
Change in peer group
Not participating in activities one used to enjoy

Physical symptoms:

Sleep disturbances
Weight loss or gain
Changes in appetite
Tremors, spasms, or shakes
Loss of coordination
Slurred or incoherent speech

Cognitive symptoms:

Poor memory, attention, or concentration
Disorientation , confusion, or delirium
Impaired judgment
Poor problem-solving abilities
Slow thought processes
Hallucinations or delusions

Psychosocial symptoms:

Withdrawal from relationships
Fluctuations in mood
Emotional numbness or detachment
Agitation or irritability
Anxiety or depression
Suicidal thoughts
Inability to experience pleasure

Effects

Effects of Prescription Drug Abuse

The effects of prescription drug abuse can be severe. The effects on each individual person often depend on length and extent of prescription medication use. Such effects can include:

Organ damage or organ failure
Strained or broken relationships
Financial difficulties
Academic failure
Loss of job
Loss of child custody
Cognitive impairment
Emergence or worsening of mental illness symptoms
Death, either from suicide or overdose

Co-Occurring Disorders

Prescription Drug Addiction and Co-Occurring Disorders

People who take prescription drugs do so because they have other physical or mental health struggles. Along with these pre-existing struggles, those who abuse prescription drugs may meet criteria for the following mental health disorders:

Anxiety disorders
Depressive disorders
Obsessive-compulsive disorder
Post-traumatic stress disorder
Bipolar disorder
Schizophrenia
Personality disorders
Other substance use disorders

Withdrawal & Overdose Effects

Effects & Symptoms of Withdrawal from Prescription Drugs

Effects of prescription drug withdrawal: Over time, someone who abuses prescription drugs becomes physiologically dependent on them. When this person attempts to cease using such drugs, his or her body must readjust to working without them. This readjustment is known as withdrawal and can include the following symptoms:

Aches and pains
Weakness
Tremors or shakes
Flu-like symptoms
Sweating
Insomnia
Confusion or delirium
Gastrointestinal problems
Vivid dreams
Fatigue
Exhaustion
Anxiety or depression
Agitation, frustration, or irritability
Intense cravings for the drug

Effects of prescription drug overdose: An overdose occurs when a person takes more of a substance than his or her body can handle. An overdose is a dangerous and potentially fatal situation. If you or a loved one uses prescription drugs and experiences the following symptoms, seek medical attention immediately to prevent a fatal outcome: