Drug abuse happens with both legal and illegal substances. When it comes to legal drugs, prescription pills are among the most frequently misused. While a person prescribed these medications can take them legally as directed, illegal use can happen in many situations. If you’re battling one of the common abused prescription pills, please contact Fort Behavioral Health today at 844.332.1807.
Common Abused Prescription Pills in the Depressant Class
Central nervous system (CNS) depressants include prescription drugs such as Valium, Xanax, and Phenobarbital. Medicines in this class include medications that help people with anxiety to calm down and those with sleep disorders to rest. In addition, these drugs can cause sleepiness, slowed thinking, calmness, and reduced physical reactions.
Long term abuse of depressants can lead to severe withdrawal effects, such as seizures. They can also interact with alcohol and other substances that you may take legally or illegally. These reactions can lead to slowed heart rate, coma, or death. If you have a problem with depressant misuse, you need professional assistance to help you through the drug addiction recovery process to avoid the most severe withdrawal effects.
Common Opioids Abused
Opioids and similar pain relievers rank at the top among commonly abused prescription pills. These drugs, which include codeine, morphine, fentanyl, Vicodin, and Oxycontin, create feelings of pain relief and euphoria. Unfortunately, these drugs also have a high chance of leading to chemical dependency. Over time, you will need to have more pills to get the same high compared to when you first started.
Other side effects of opioid use include the following:
- Nausea and vomiting
- Constipation
- Sweating and clammy skin
- Reduced blood pressure and pulse
- Confusion
- Clumsiness
Suddenly stopping opioids, particularly if you have used them for a long time, could lead to life-threatening withdrawal. When you seek treatment for opioid addiction, you may need to go through medically-monitored drug and alcohol detox to ensure that you pass through withdrawal safely. After detoxification, you will begin your therapy. Prescription opioids have the same origins as heroin. Therefore, treatment for opioid addiction follows a similar pattern as for heroin abuse. With a variety of options, your therapy could include individual therapy, group discussions, or other evidence-based treatments.
Stimulants Among Common Abused Prescription Pills
Stimulants include drugs used for narcolepsy and ADHD, which help the brain to work more efficiently, improving focus and wakefulness. Two common abused prescription pills in this class include Adderall and Ritalin. While these stimulants may help you to feel more awake temporarily, you could develop seizures, stroke, nervousness, or a heart attack from their long-term use.
Just as you should not abruptly stop using other drugs, you cannot quit stimulants without help. Find treatment for prescription drug addiction in TX to wean yourself off these drugs safely.
Other Abused Prescription Drugs
While the above are common drugs that people abuse, they do not account for the only prescription medications that individuals misuse. Another frequently abused drug is dextromethorphan. This medication appears in both over-the-counter and prescription cough syrups. Taking excessive amounts of it could lead to euphoria. However, it will also cause adverse effects, including the following:
- Slurred speech
- Dizziness
- Paranoia
- Confusion
- Distorted vision
- Clumsiness
Because dextromethorphan does not require a prescription for some preparations, people who suffer from drug addiction may choose to use it for ease of access. This drug still has dangerous side effects, especially when used in high volumes or for a long time. An addiction to cough medicine still requires professional help for prescription drug addiction in TX.
Seek Treatment from Fort Behavioral Health
Prescription drugs require a doctor to control their use because some can cause addiction. If you have an issue with prescription drug addiction in TX, let us at Fort Behavioral Health help you. We provide a large range of addiction therapy programs to give you the tools to embrace recovery. Phone us at 844.332.1807 if you want to get control of your life back from common abused prescription pills.
