Commonly Abused Prescription Drug Categories
Individuals all over the country are becoming addicted to prescription drugs, and many times they don't need to go any further than their own medicine cabinet to get their fix. Addictive prescription medication comes in a variety of drug categories, the most common of which are listed below.
Categories of Prescription Drugs
Barbiturates
Why they're abused: People take barbiturates because they lower inhibitions and cause good feelings due to stimulation of the pleasure centers in the brain.
Side effects include: Addiction, respiratory problems, confusion, anxiety and fatigue
Drugs: Amytal, Nembutal, Phenobarbital
Opioids and Morphine Derivatives
Why they're abused: The opiod family of drugs is commonly used for the euphoric effects, although because it is easy to develop a dependence on the drugs, many individuals will find themselves needing to take more and more of the drug in order to achieve that "high".
Side effects include: Depression, confusion, constipation, nausea, tolerance and addiction
Drugs: OxyContin, Percocet, Vicodin, Percodan, Tylox
Special note regarding OxyContin: This drug is extremely dangerous when misused or abused. OxyContin is meant to act as a time-release medication, so it contains more opiates than other painkillers. When a drug abuser injects or snorts the drug, they get all the active ingredients at once, which can lead to overdose or death.
Stimulants
Why they're abused: Stimulants are used to enhance energy and maintain a waking state for long stretches of time. During World War II and the Korean War, the U.S. Army actually gave certain stimulants to the soldiers in order to help them stay alert on the battlefield (creating thousands of addicts in the process).
Side effects include: There are a number or harmful side effects to stimulant use, including: rapid heartbeat, irregular heartbeat, loss of appetite, severe weight loss and heart failure.
Drugs: The major families of stimulants include: amphetamines, methamphetamines, cocaine and methylphenidate. Drug names include Ritalin, Biphetamine and Dexedrine.
How Addiction to Prescription Drugs Starts
Many individuals first take prescription drugs as a genuine effort to solve a health concern. A doctor may prescribe Vicodin to ease severe pain, or a dieter may be given a stimulant as part of a weight loss plan. But after the pain is gone, and the legitimate reason for taking the drug has passed, many keep right on using because of the pleasurable effects they bring about. Soon, the person finds themselves engaging in behavior they never had exhibited before – stealing drugs from other people's medicine cabinets, faking injuries and illnesses to receive medications and other criminal, unethical behavior associated with drug addiction.
It is at this point, that the individual needs the support of family and friends, who will hopefully shine a light on the prescription drug addiction and help get that person into drug rehab.
Michael's House is a residential drug rehab facility located in Palm Springs, California that has helped thousands of individuals overcome addiction to prescription medications. The caring staff at Michael's House treats every guest with respect and courtesy, and helps develop a customized treatment program that is designed to help them achieve a drug-free life. Contact Michael's House at 1-877-345-8494 for more information.
