HomeWellnessPrescription Drug Use And Addiction: Why You Need To Understand This Problem

Prescription Drug Use And Addiction: Why You Need To Understand This Problem

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Prescription drug misuse is a growing issue that may impact people of all ages, including teenagers. 

Opioid pain relievers, anti-anxiety meds, sedatives, and stimulants are the most often misused prescription pharmaceuticals.

You can explore the special recovery services provided by Phoenix Detox Center, which exclusively focuses on prescription drug abuse addiction treatment. 

What Is Prescription Drug Abuse?

Prescription drug misuse is the use of prescribed medicine in a way that the prescribing doctor did not intend. 

Prescription drug misuse or problematic use can range from using a friend’s prescribed pain relief medicine for a backache to injecting and snorting unauthorized pills to get high. Despite the negative consequences, drug misuse can become chronic and obsessive.

Early detection and management of prescription medication usage may prevent the problem from progressing to addiction.

Causes

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Both teens and adults abuse prescription medicines for various reasons. Some of the most compelling reasons behind prescription drug abuse are:

  • To unwind or release stress.
  • To have a good time or to get high.
  • To experiment with the substance’s mental effects.
  • To curb one’s hunger or heighten one’s attention.
  • To keep an addiction going and avoid withdrawal symptoms.
  • To attempt to increase focus and academic or occupational performance.
  • To be sociable or to be accepted by one’s peers.

Symptoms

The signs and symptoms of prescription medication addiction vary depending on the medicine. However, the following prescription medicines are the most widely misused, so if you take one of these, you are abusing prescription drugs. 

Let’s take a look:

1. Stimulants

Stimulants are used to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and some sleep disorders. These medicines include methylphenidate such as Concerta, Ritalin, etc. 

2. Anti-Anxiety Medicines

Anti-anxiety medicines include hydrocodone, which may help you relax. In addition, drugs such as Norco, alprazolam, diazepam, and hypnotics, are used to treat these anxiety and sleep problems. 

3. Opioids

Opioids such as Percocet and Oxycontin are used to relieve pain, which is why they are also a significant contributor to the prescription drug abuse scenario.

Risk Factors

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Some people are afraid of becoming addicted to drugs provided for medical issues, such as pain relievers following surgery. However, you may lower your risk by strictly following your doctor’s recommendations on how to take your prescription.

Some of the significant risk factors of prescription drug abuse are;

  • A family history of substance misuse disorders.
  • Addictions to other drugs, such as alcohol and cigarettes, in the past or present.
  • Peer pressure or being in a social atmosphere where drugs are being used.
  • Certain pre-existing psychological disorders.
  • Prescription medicines are more easily accessible.
  • Inadequate understanding of prescribed medications and their potential for damage.

Complications

Taking your child to the doctor’s appointment might be one of the most stressful and challenging things you need to do as a parent. Your kid will naturally have their concerns, and they will most likely be very anxious. As parents, you have a job to calm them down and make sure they handle the appointment as best as possible. These steps will help you calm down your child so that they can gain more trust and feel better about any future appointments you will be having. Prep Your Kid in A Way That’s Best For Them You, as a parent, know you, child, better than anyone else. That is not only extremely helpful when it comes to detecting their fears and concerns, but also when it comes to helping them and preparing them for the appointment. For instance, some kids get even more anxious when they are told about their upcoming appointment too early, while others need a few days to prepare themselves. It differs from one child to another, and the mother will know the best how to approach her own children regarding this issue. Make a List with Your Child Make a list of all the things that both you and your child are worried about before going to the appointment. Ask your child about their concerns and openly talk about them. Then, assure them that it’s all going to be fine because the doctor will give them all the answers they need before the appointment. Let Them Play Doctor Source: pexels.com You can also prepare your child for the appointment by letting them play the doctor. Give them toys they can play with, and “fake” treat pretending to be doctors. Show them what a regular appointment looks like. Once your child sees that the doctors pose no harm, they will feel more comfortable going to appointments. Get To the Appointment A Little Early Getting to the appointment a little early can mean a lot to your child. If they are already anxious, showing up in a rush to the appointment can only worsen their anxiety symptoms even more. Showing up early will give both you and your child the time to prepare and calm down. Validate Their Feelings You can’t prevent your kids from feeling anxious and worried about their appointment, but what you can do is validate their feelings and show them you care about their concerns. Ask them about their fears and find out where they come from. You can start by asking if they are afraid if it’s going to hurt them. In most cases, they will say yes. Tell them that you understand their concerns and explain the appointment process so that they know there is nothing in there that will harm them in any way. Listen to them without interrupting them to show them that they are heard. However, don’t talk too much. It can make them even more anxious. Simply validating their feelings and being there for them means a lot. And after the appointment, you can treat them with something they like to reward them for their bravery. Use the Number Scale To Talk About Pain The number scale can be very useful in this situation. Use it to talk about pain with your children. Ask them to tell you what kind of pain they expect to experience and let them know that vaccines are only a one or a two on the pain scale. Once they have a specific number, I mind it will be easier for them to relax. They will have something to hold on to and expect. Build their trust Source: unsplash.com You need to build their trust not only for you but also for the doctor they have an appointment with. Let’s say you need to take your kid for the regular dental appointment. Your kid is more likely going to trust the doctor if you choose a reliable family dentist that is going to be familiar and friendly with the whole family. Seeing a reliable and friendly face will help your kid overcome their fears more easily when going to appointments and regular check-ups. Keep Calm It’s extremely challenging to keep calm when your kid is freaking out, but you have to do it for them, especially if you have to hold your kid down for shots. You need to remember that you’re a parent, and therefore you’re in charge. Keep reassuring them that you’re there for them, and there is nothing to be scared of. If you show them you are panicking too; they are only going to grow even more anxious. Once your child realizes you are there for them, they will calm down. Don’t Apologize One of the worst things you can do to your child at the appointment is to apologize for the appointment. That will only increase their anxiety because saying you’re sorry only indicates that something bad or wrong is happening. Stay calm and keep reminding them that this visit is for their own good. Encourage Your Child to Ask Questions Lastly, create a calming and positive environment where kids feel comfortable asking questions. Show them that their concerns and feelings are valid by encouraging them to speak up and ask questions regarding their worries. Not only that, encourage them to ask about anything they might find confusing. They have the full right to speak to the doctor and not just sit there and listen to your conversation with the doctor. They have every right to be informed about their own health. Conclusion In conclusion, children’s’ fear of doctors and appointments is almost inevitable. What you need to do as a parent is to make sure they feel safe by giving them answers and making them feel validated and hurt. These are just some of the most effective steps you can take when taking your child to the appointment.
  • The body’s response to long-term usage is a physical dependency. People who are physically reliant on a prescription drug may require bigger dosages to achieve the same results and may experience withdrawal symptoms if they stop using the substance abruptly. 
  • People who are addicted to drugs may have a physical dependency. Still, they also seek the substance obsessively and continue to use it even when it creates numerous issues in their life. Thus, they can fall victim to addiction habits. 
  • Anti-anxiety drugs can induce low blood pressure, memory issues, and slower breathing. Overdose might result in coma or death. Stopping the medicine abruptly may result in seizures and nervous system hyperactivity.
  • Opioids can result in reduced breathing rate, low blood pressure, and the risk for respiration to stop, as well as a coma. Opioid overdoses also have a high risk of mortality.
  • Stimulants can result in dangerously high blood pressure, high body temperatures, seizures, cardiac issues, hallucinations, paranoia, and aggression.

Preventive Measures

Make sure that your doctor knows your disease and the indications and symptoms. Inform your doctor about all of your medicines, as well as any over-the-counter drugs, drug, and alcohol usage. Inquire with your doctor whether there is an alternate medicine with less risk for addiction.

In order to know what to anticipate, ask your doctor or pharmacist about the side effects of your drug. Also, check if any other medications or alcohol should be avoided while taking this medicine.

You should also consult your doctor frequently to ensure that the medicine you’re taking is adequate and that you’re taking the correct amount.

Use your medicine exactly as directed. If a drug doesn’t appear to be working, don’t stop taking it or modify the dose without consulting your doctor.

Everyone is unique. Even if you have a comparable medical condition, don’t take anybody else’s prescription to the pharmacy and start using that drug.

Treatment

doctor

Prescription drug misuse treatment choices differ depending on the type of substance taken and your specific needs. However, counseling, or psychotherapy, is usually an essential aspect of treatment. Let’s find out the possible treatment options here:

1. Counseling

The individual, group, or family counseling can be provided by suitable alcohol and drug counselors or other addiction professionals. This might assist you in determining what underlying mental health conditions or relationship issues may have contributed to prescription drug misuse.

You may learn how to fight urges, avoid drug misuse, and learn to prevent the recurrence of prescription drug issues. You can even know how to build positive connections to don’t go back to prescription drug abuse anymore.

2. Withdrawal

Opioid tapering is progressively lowering the dose of medicine until it is no longer needed. Other drugs, such as clonidine, a blood pressure medication, can assist control opioid withdrawal symptoms. 

If you’ve been on prescription sedatives or anti-anxiety medications for an extended period, it may take weeks to wean yourself off of them gradually. In addition, other medicines may be required to maintain your mood or alleviate anxiety. 

Keep these in mind if you plan to join a detox program.

3. Intervention

An intervention is a well-organized procedure involving family, friends, and those who care about someone battling addiction. A skilled interventionist, addiction expert, psychologist, or mental health counselor can assist you in organizing an effective intervention.

This is the time to confront the individual with the consequences of addiction and persuade them to seek treatment. Consider an intervention strategy as providing your loved ones with a clean slate to make adjustments in their lives before things get out of hand.

Final Thoughts

There you go. We have enlisted everything you need to know about prescription drug abuse. We are sure that those of you who did not realize that medicines could also be harmful; have got an eye-opener right here.

Therefore, if you have any of the earlier mentioned symptoms, we suggest you visit a doctor immediately.

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