Misuse of Prescription Medication and Addiction

How Misuse Of Prescription Medication Can Lead To Addiction

The misuse and abuse of prescription medication has become a growing epidemic in our society today. Prescription medication is often considered to be a good thing, something that cannot be too harmful, since it came from a doctor. While this logic makes sense in most cases, what many people fail to realize is that there are certain medications that have the potential to cause serious consequences, like addiction and dependence, if not used properly and under supervision of a doctor. It is important to consider that any use of prescription medication that goes against its specific dosage instructions is dangerous and can hurt a patient.

Of course, most medications can be easily taken as prescribed, and patients probably would have no urge or impulse to take it in any other way than described, but there are medications that have a high potential for misuse as a result of the effects felt by the patient. Two common forms of medications that tend to be misused are prescription pain relief opiate medication (codeine, vicodin, hydrocodone, oxycodone, percocet) and benzodiazepines (Xanax, klonipin, valium, lorazepam). Each of these types of medications have their own physiological and mental affects, addictive qualities, and reasons why that despite their high potential for addiction, are used in modern medicine.

Opiate Pain Medication

Opiates are currently used in modern medicine as pain relief medication. Opiates originally derive from poppy seeds, which contain chemicals called morphine and codeine. Morphine and codeine have strong psychoactive components that produce effects like feelings of euphoria and pain relief, which can be instrumental when treating chronic pain. In fact, it is not uncommon for a hospital patient to be administered morphine to numb pain and prevent complications as a result of discomfort.

In recent years, other opiate medications have been produced with the same pain relieving effect. They come in a pill form so a patient can administer it to himself or herself without needing a medical professional present. At first, this may sound like a great system for those who suffer from chronic pain, but what is often overlooked is the potential for opiate medication to be overused, which will result in addiction.

There is a high potential for a person to become addicted to opiate medication. In extreme cases, opiate medication overuse and addiction can even lead to a heroin addiction. This is because people who take opiate medication are closely monitored, and are not typically prescribed on a long-term basis, simply because of its potential for addiction. If a doctor suspects a growing addiction, or feels that a patient should begin to be weaned off of the medication after a given period of prescribed use, he or she will begin to drop the dosage. If the patient has been misusing the medication, like taking too much medication too quickly or taking more than prescribed, he or she will begin to experience withdrawal symptoms when the dosage is dropped, like:

• Muscle tension and cramping
• Anxiety
• Seizures
• Body tremors or convulsion
• Hot and cold flashes
• Restlessness
• Insomnia
• Diarrhea
• Vomiting
• Dehydration
• Racing heartbeat

Going through opiate withdrawal is very uncomfortable, and the more a prescription was misused or overused, the more intense the symptoms. For many, the symptoms can be so uncomfortable and painful that a person will resort to measures to illegally obtain more prescription medication or even heroin, which is also an opiate and has the same psychoactive qualities as the medication that was being misused.

Benzodiazepines

Benzodiazepines are a class of drugs that are used to treat mental health disorders like anxiety, panic disorder, sleep disorders, and seizures. Benzodiazepines have become increasingly popular in the treatment of these disorders in the last two decades. Despite their effectiveness in treating anxiety related disorders and seizures, taking benzodiazepines does put a user at risk for developing an addiction, if used on a long-term basis. Like opiates, if benzodiazepines are used as prescribed in conjunction with therapy and medication management, taking them can be instrumental in treating the stated conditions. Unfortunately, many people do not responsibly take these medications properly, which results in addiction.

People often mistake benzodiazepines as being a ‘cure’ or the solution to their mental health issues. However, when it comes to mental health, it is important to learn how to cope with a mental health issue, rather than take measures to make it go away all together. The reality is that there is no cure for mental health disorders, and medications that are used to help manage symptoms are intended for temporary use. Benzodiazepines work like opiates, in that the more a user takes them, the higher his or her tolerance grows. As the tolerance grows, the more the user will need to take to feel its effects.

Doctors and mental health professionals closely monitor benzodiazepines, just like opiates. If a doctor suspects his or her patient is misusing and becoming addicted to a prescribed benzodiazepine medication, he or she will likely terminate the treatment and explore other options. This becomes a problem for those who become addicted because they are likely to face withdrawal symptoms, like:

• Shaking
• Sweating
• Distractibility
• Anxiety
• Panic attacks
• Memory issues
• Confusion
• Nausea and vomiting
• Heart palpitations
• Muscle tension

Benzodiazepine withdrawal is also one of the two only substances that can produce a fatal withdrawal. Besides alcohol, benzodiazepines are the only type of drug an addict can die from after abruptly ceasing use. Considering these upsetting, uncomfortable, and potentially fatal withdrawal symptoms, those who are addicted to benzodiazepines tend to follow the same trend as those who are addicted to opiate medication, in that they seek out illegal ways to get more pills.

How To Know If You Are Becoming Dependent On Your Medication

It is scary to think that these medications have such highly addictive qualities, but they are used in the medical field for legitimate reasons and can be helpful in a healing process under the right circumstances. It is not uncommon for people to be properly treated with these medications, and as long as a patient is careful and takes the medication as prescribed; he or she will be able to take the medication without facing the consequences of addiction.

If you take these medications and are concerned that you may be becoming addicted, consider the following warning signs:

• Being preoccupied with how much time is left before your next dose
• Needing to take more than prescribed to feel the effects of the medication
• Feeling an impulse to take medication frequently
• Feeling anxious at the thought of missing a dose
• Putting the medication before other responsibilities
• Having others express concern about your medication use
• Running out of medication too early
• Considering other avenues to get similar medications for same effects
• Believing you need the medication to feel good or comfortable

If you feel you may be suffering from these signs of a growing addiction, it is important to speak to your doctor immediately. Early intervention is critical in preventing addiction.

The Nsight Mental Health & Wellness staff of professionals can help your loved one with treatment for Substance Abuse, Alcoholism, Trauma/PTSD, Depression, and/or Anxiety.  Contact Nsight Mental Health & Wellness at (949) 629-3730 to learn more.