When a person takes prescription drugs for reasons other than what is being prescribed by a medical practitioner, it becomes abuse. Research reveals that around two million people over the age of twelve have misused prescription pain relievers. Beyond, the drugs are also abused for non-medical purposes. It is abuse when you treat your body pain with painkillers prescribed for someone else. It is abuse when you misuse ground pills to get high. If the drugs are abused for a prolonged period, there are higher chances that the person may get addicted to prescription drugs. It is a subject of grief concern as abuse or addiction to prescription drugs affects the decision-making ability of the brain and the person may lose self-control over time.
The blog endeavors to present the symptoms and early signs of a person who is addicted to prescription drugs, common forms of abuse, and prescription drug addiction treatment. If you are looking forward to helping your friend with prescription drug addiction treatment, a family member, or your loved one get rid of prescription drug addiction and abuse, you are at the right spot.

If you are figuring out ways to identify if a person is abusing or addicted to prescription drugs in a person, the following signs can help you make out.

• Mood swings
• Dizziness
• Anxiety or depression

• Unclear speech
• Digestive problems like vomiting, constipation, or upset stomach.
• Sleeplessness
• Troubles with memory, concentration, and coordination.
• Headache

However, signs exhibited by a person addicted to prescription drugs may vary depending on the type of drug the abused. Duration of abuse will also affect the severity. A person’s age, mental health conditions, peer influence, physique, and awareness about the drug are other factors that impact the severity of the abuse.

Typically, prescription drugs that are abused are of three kinds. The commonly abused drugs include stimulants, opioids, and central nervous system depressants.

Stimulants like dextroamphetamine, methylphenidate, lisdexamfetamine, and Adderall are used to treat various ailments in the body. Adderall is a mix of dextroamphetamine and amphetamine. The body conditions treated by these drugs include,

• Depression
• Anxiety
• ADHD
• ADD
• Narcolepsy
• Asthma
• Obesity

These drugs increase heart rate, blood pressure, and blood sugar levels which gives the body the much-needed surge in energy levels, alertness, and attention. People misuse these stimulants by snorting the crushed powder or consuming quantities greater than the level prescribed. Consuming these drugs in higher doses leads to addiction. This increases the body temperature and produces irregularities in the heartbeat impacting the body in a long term.

Opioids including oxycodone, hydrocodone, morphine, and codeine are prescribed by doctors as painkillers. These painkillers relieve people from long-term pain. These drugs improve the quality of life when used in moderation, probably at the levels prescribed by the doctor. Consuming them at higher levels results in addiction. Intake of opioids produces mild jubilance and that’s why it is commonly abused.
It is either injected directly into the bloodstream or snorted illegally to get high. Syringes used for injecting drugs may transmit diseases like HIV and hepatitis B when used by multiple people. Addiction impacts the person’s life by causing dependence and making withdrawal very difficult.
Opioid addiction and overdose can be threatening to a person’s life when taken with medicines that work on the central nervous system. The medications include barbiturates, alcohol, or benzodiazepines like diazepam, alprazolam or clonazepam. This increases the chance of acquiring breathing problems or even death at its worst.

The CNS depressants are prescribed by doctors to treat disorders like anxiety and insomnia. The drug gives a calming effect and makes the person sleepy. The depressant impacts the Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), that is a chemical in the brain which when produced reduces brain activity and makes the person drowsy.
Doctors use Barbiturates inclusive of pentobarbital, amobarbital, phenobarbital secobarbital for treating seizures and anaesthesia. Benzodiazepines like Xanax, Ativan, and Valium are other commonly used drugs.
Continual use of the drugs can raise the dependence on these drugs. The person may require a larger dose of the drug to get the same high as before. If the usage of the drug is abruptly stopped after a long time it may turn noxious and the person may face withdrawal. Consuming alcohol along with CNS depressants retards heartbeat and breath leading to death.

Opioids are commonly used addictive drugs. There are many methods devised to help people treatment for prescription drug addiction. Such options help individuals to gain control over themselves and to lower the addiction rate.

• Buprenorphine is used along with naloxone to handle withdrawal and dependence. Naloxone helps in preventing relapse and reversing an overdose. It comes in shots and sprays.
• Taking in Naltrexone, methadone, and clonidine can also help in treating opioid withdrawal.
• Probuphine can be implanted in the skin to provide a constant dosage of Buprenorphine for six months or Sublocade shots can be taken once a month.
• Cognitive Behavioral therapy and medication-assisted treatment are indeed the best ways to treat and manage opioid addiction, dependence, and withdrawal. Counseling from an experienced doctor can support a person in the process of healing.
• Detoxication with doctor’s care is a vital step in deaddiction.

Drug abuse can be prevented by consuming the drug as prescribed by the medical practitioner in a proper way.

• Take the right quantity, do not lower or increase the dosage on your own without taking doctor’s advice.
• Avoid crushing or breaking pills.
• Follow the directions and instructions carefully.
• Do not stop the medication without the knowledge of the doctor.
• Mention whether you consume alcohol or not to the doctor while he prescribes the drugs as drinking while consuming certain drugs may turn toxic. Be aware of the consequences of consuming alcohol while taking medications.
• Do not take medicines prescribed for others in your family.
• Make it a practice to not share your medication with other people.

The increased availability of drugs is the major reason for prescription drug addiction. The drugs are easily available online and medical stores selling drugs without a prescription from a doctor is the common reason for abuse. Lack of awareness about the drugs results in misuse. Some drugs when used with alcohol may turn fatal and lead to other serious complications.
Other threats include,

• Using CNS depressants with opioids.
• Using CNS depressants with alcohol, allergy and cold medications, and certain painkillers.
• Using stimulants with asthma medications, antidepressants, and other decongestant medications.

If you are looking out to help a friend or a loved one who is addicted to prescription drugs, we at Abhasa, the leading Rehabilitation Center in India is the right option. With regular consultation from a medical professional, we also offer one-on-one counseling sessions to support and motivate people to refrain from prescription drug addiction. We guide them to use the prescribed drugs wisely. Depending on the severity of addiction and intensity of prescription drug addiction, we recommend in-patient or residential treatment and therapy options. Visit our site www.abhasa.in to know more details about the treatment for a speedy recovery.