Utilizing illicit medication isn’t the one means that folks abuse narcotics. Some folks with substance abuse problems flip to one thing already of their properties — their drugs cupboards. Prescription drug abuse has been a repeatedly escalating drawback in the USA over the previous 15-20 years. In keeping with the Nationwide Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), overdose deaths involving prescription opioids greater than quadrupled between 1999 and 2019. And since most prescription drugs are prescribed to individuals who really need them, it’s a lot tougher to discover a resolution to this troubling drawback. 

So why achieve this many individuals abuse prescribed drugs, and what are your choices for those who can’t cease taking them? Learn on to study extra about this widespread drawback.

Prescription Drug Abuse Statistics

A 2019 report by the Substance Abuse and Psychological Well being Providers Administration (SAMHSA) revealed that on the time of the report, 45.8% of American adults had used a prescription drug – legally or not – inside the previous 30 days. Whereas most individuals use these drugs for medical situations, 16.3 million folks misuse prescriptions yearly, and prescribed drugs are the third-most abused unlawful substance after marijuana. Lastly, 52 million People over 12 (18.4% of the inhabitants) have intentionally misused prescribed drugs a minimum of as soon as of their lifetime.

Generally Abused Prescription Drugs

Generally abused prescription drugs embrace, however aren’t restricted to:

• Opioids. Prescription painkillers, typically prescribed for ache administration after surgical procedures or accidents, have grow to be one of the generally abused narcotics. Opioid ache drugs embrace oxycodone (OxyContin), Percocet, hydrocodone (Vicodin), and fentanyl. 
• Benzodiazepines. These medication are historically used to deal with nervousness and sleep problems however are sometimes abused for his or her sedative results. Examples embrace alprazolam (Xanax), diazepam (Valium), and lorazepam (Ativan). These medication are typically additionally categorized as central nervous system (CNS) depressants.
• Stimulants: Stimulants are used to deal with consideration deficit hyperactivity dysfunction (ADHD) and narcolepsy however are sometimes abused on account of their means to extend alertness and vitality ranges. Examples embrace methylphenidate (Ritalin) and amphetamines (Adderall and related drugs). 
• Barbiturates: These medication are used as sedatives or anesthetics however will be extraordinarily habit-forming and harmful when misused. Examples embrace phenobarbital and secobarbital. 

What Makes Prescription Drug Abuse So Widespread?

There are numerous totally different the reason why prescription drug abuse is so widespread. Listed below are just a few of essentially the most generally cited the reason why folks abuse prescription treatment:

Painkiller Dependency

Painkillers are sometimes prescribed in excessive doses and trigger a euphoric or “excessive” sensation. Some folks grow to be depending on this sense after being prescribed painkillers and proceed to hunt it out even after their authorized prescription has run out. Individuals may additionally use prescribed drugs to self-medicate for bodily or emotional ache quite than looking for acceptable medical therapy. 

Prescription painkillers are one of many hardest addictions to give up as a result of abusing painkillers can result in elevated tolerance and dependence on opioids, which can drive people to hunt out avenue medication akin to heroin with the intention to obtain the specified excessive.

Over-the-Counter Beginnings

Over-the-counter medication can inadvertently grow to be a “gateway” to abusing prescription treatment. That is both as a result of an individual is used to taking the over-the-counter treatment at such a excessive dose that it now not works or as a result of they’re utilizing it recreationally and desire a stronger excessive. Over-the-counter medication that always trigger folks this drawback embrace antihistamines akin to Benadryl (diphenhydramine) and chilly medicines containing DXM (dextromethorphan).

Leisure Use

Stimulants have a repute as a “social gathering drug” on many school campuses, despite the fact that medication akin to Adderall and Ritalin are presupposed to be solely taken by the folks they’re prescribed to. Nevertheless, this doesn’t cease folks from utilizing these substances recreationally. Some folks combine prescribed drugs with alcohol or different drugs, making potential negative effects even deadlier.

Notion of Security

Many individuals consider that prescribed drugs are safer than illicit medication as a result of they’re prescribed by medical doctors and disbursed by pharmacists. Others could not notice that their physique can grow to be depending on prescribed drugs or consider that substance abuse problems solely happen for “different folks.”

This assumption is the furthest factor from the reality. In actuality, taking treatment that isn’t prescribed to you, taking it in larger doses than your physician recommends, or taking it longer than prescribed will be harmful and even lethal. Simply because a health care provider wrote the prescription doesn’t imply hurt is inconceivable. Lots of the medication listed above trigger slowed respiratory, coronary heart charge issues, and even seizures when misused (even in small doses). When taken in bigger doses, overdose, and demise can observe.

Steps to Restoration Can Assist

A very powerful factor to remember with regards to substance abuse problems, particularly with prescription tablets, is {that a} pathway to restoration is feasible. You probably have a substance abuse dysfunction, Steps to Restoration needs to assist. Contact us right now or name 866-488-8684 to discover a substance abuse program that may allow you to show your life round.

Sources:

https://nida.nih.gov/research-topics/prescription-medicines

https://nida.nih.gov/publications/drugfacts/prescription-cns-depressants

https://nida.nih.gov/publications/drugfacts/prescription-opioids

https://nida.nih.gov/publications/drugfacts/prescription-stimulants

https://www.samhsa.gov/knowledge/report/why-do-adults-misuse-prescription-drugs

https://nida.nih.gov/publications/research-reports/prescription-opioids-heroin/introduction

https://drugabusestatistics.org/