We take for granted that prescribed medications are safe. However, as the number of prescription addictions continues to rise, people from every walk of life are reexamining that presumption. People can become addicted to a variety of substances. Furthermore, people with a genetic predisposition to substance use disorders are the most vulnerable to prescription medication addiction.
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Common Pill Addictions
Some prescribed medications, like opioids, are highly addictive. They flood the brain with dopamine, causing a pleasant “high” sensation. Even when used correctly for pain, some people develop a tolerance for the medication. Larger doses are necessary for the same level of pain relief. With time, people can become dependent on the pills to feel “normal.” The two main types of prescribed medications that are misused are opioids and amphetamines.
Opioids
This category of drugs gets prescribed for pain management. The euphoric effect opioids produce can quickly lead to a desire for bigger and more frequent highs. Opioid addiction is an epidemic in the U.S., with an estimated 90 Americans dying from overdose every day. Symptoms of opioid use include the following:
- Euphoria
- Confusion/dizziness
- Seizure
- Nausea/vomiting
- Headache
- Drowsiness
- Difficulty breathing
- Changes in vision
The National Center for Drug Abuse Statistics estimates that almost 50,000 people die from an opioid overdose every year.
Oxycodone
Commonly sold by the brand name OxyContin, Oxycodone is an opioid prescribed for pain management. The drug is also a component of Percocet, another prescription painkiller. The effects of this opioid are sedative and euphoric, with the same dopamine-producing effects on the brain as other opioids.
Fentanyl
Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid typically reserved for people with severe pain, such as cancer patients. It is 50 to 100 times more potent than morphine. Fentanyl is also an illegally manufactured and sold recreational drug. Illegal fentanyl may be mixed with cocaine, heroin, or both.
In addition to the symptoms of opioid misuse listed above, fentanyl may also cause hallucinations and nightmares. Experts suggest that over half of all opioid-related overdose deaths are due to fentanyl.
Meperidine
Known by the brand name Demerol, Meperidine is another synthetic opioid. Like the other prescription medications in this category, Meperidine produces feelings of euphoria, leading to addiction.
Stimulants
Stimulants may be prescribed to treat narcolepsy, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and other ailments where increased alertness and energy are needed. Like opioids, stimulants affect the brain’s chemical dopamine to produce a rush of euphoria the brain interprets as a reward. Additionally, some stimulants contain norepinephrine which can have detrimental effects on blood pressure, blood vessels, heart rate, breathing, and blood sugar.
Methylphenidate
Known by the brand names Ritalin and Concerta, methylphenidate is a prescription medication used to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in adults, young adults, and children. However, it is misused by some as a substitute for cocaine. While calming for people with ADHD, methylphenidate has the opposite effect on people who do not have ADHD.
Dextroamphetamine
Sold by the more familiar brand name, Dexedrine, dextroamphetamine was once prescribed for conditions such as depression, nasal congestion, weight loss, and alcohol hangovers. Today it is mostly prescribed as a treatment for ADHD.
Adderall
Adderall is another brand-name medication used for the treatment of ADHD and ADD. It can also treat narcolepsy, depression, and weight loss. In addition to dextroamphetamine, Adderall contains amphetamine, which can cause irregular heartbeat, seizure, and heart failure.
Seek Treatment at Serenity House Detox & Recovery Florida
You don’t have to let a pill addiction take over your life. Prescription drug addiction treatment is available. Call Serenity House Detox & Recovery Florida today at 866.294.5306 for information about recovering from pill addiction in Ohio.
