Prescription Drug Abuse: Types, Side Effects, Withdrawal and Addiction Treatment

Abusing prescription drugs is the most straightforward way to get addicted without getting noticed. Recent data shows 16.3 million prescription drug abusers in the United States annually, which comprises 6% of Americans. Prescription drug abuse is highly addictive and requires immediate attention before medication becomes the reason for one’s lifetime struggle.

ChoicePoint can help you overcome your prescription drug addiction regardless of the drug type. Contact 844.445.2565 to discuss your treatment or book an appointment!

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Prescription Drug Abuse: Why Are They Easily Misused?

Whenever someone takes a prescription medication above their prescribed terms or just for the sake of pleasure, it is considered abuse. Prescription drugs are easily misused, and addiction develops due to:

• Instant availability through prescription
• Apparent minimal side effects, which is a myth
• It can be acquired from friends and family who have medical conditions
• Often mixed with other drugs to increase potency
• Long-term treatment for pain, sleep disorders, and mental illness leads to dependence and, ultimately, addiction, which becomes the leading cause of misuse.

Just because practitioners prescribe a medicine does not mean it is safe for everyone or fit for long-term misuse. Medications used beyond their limit always come with side effects and consequences that become unbearable if not immediately quit! 

Signs of Prescription Drug Abuse

According to DSM-5, general criteria for assessing patients with substance use disorder or drug abuse include:

• Displaying a pattern of frequent drug use more than recommended terms.
• Drug use is impairing their cognitive abilities, daily work, and social life.
• The person experiences severe cravings for the substance
• Facing difficulty in controlling and spending a significant amount of time to acquire drugs.
• Tolerance limits increase, and the experience of withdrawal symptoms and behavioral changes.

No matter how deeply the person has indulged in prescription drug addiction. Help is always given when asked for, and seeking immediate professional consultation for someone or their loved ones is the best solution. 

Types Of Prescription Drug Abuse

Although there are indefinite numbers of prescription drugs currently misused generally, three main categories are frequently abused and have the worst side effects.

a. Opioids 

In 2021, around 16000 people died of prescription opioid overdose. Opioids, mainly from poppy plants, are prescribed for pain relief, body and mind relaxation, and sometimes for cough and diarrhea. They are mainly prescribed during surgery, cancer treatment, or accidents. 

Sorts of Prescription Opioids Misused

Prescription opioids can either be natural or synthetic. Common prescription opioids that people misuse or get addicted to include:

• Hydrocodone (e.g., Vicodin, Dilaudid)
• Oxycodone (e.g., OxyContin, Percocet)
• Morphine (e.g., Kadian, Avinza)
• Codeine
• Meperidine (Demerol)
• Oxymorphone (Opana)
• Fentanyl (Actiq, Duragesic, Sublimaze)
• Tramadol (Ultram)

Side Effects of Abusing Prescription Opioids

Opioids act by binding to opioid receptors in the brain. It reduces pain perception, activates the reward system, and produces a sense of euphoria. But at the same time, regular use may involve serious complications such as:

• Drowsiness
• Dizziness
• Nausea and vomiting
• Constipation 
• Insomnia
• Vision impairment

Opioid side effects are numerous and not easy to access. Get immediate help from a virtual expert if any symptom appears 844.445.2565

Detox and Withdrawal From Prescription Opioids

Opioid detox can be challenging if not consulted professionally as one experiences opioid withdrawal symptoms such as:

• Strong cravings
• Irritability or agitation
• Flu-like symptoms
• Insomnia
• Sweating 
• Chills
• Digestion issues

To curb these, addiction treatment includes FDA-approved medications such as

• Suboxone
• Buprenorphine (Subutex)
• Naltrexone

These medications work in an agonist-antagonist way, treating opioid dependence, alleviating withdrawal symptoms, and preventing cravings.

b. CNS Depressants

Sometimes referred to as sedatives or tranquilizers, they are prescribed for treating sleep disorders, anxiety, seizures, and depression. They slow brain activity by binding to GABA receptors, inducing drowsiness and calmness. 

Kinds of CNS Depressants

CNS depressants are primarily synthetic and further divided into three categories:

Benzodiazepines the most severe addictives include:

• Diazepam (Valium)
• Alprazolam (Xanax)
• Triazolam (Halcion)
• Estazolam (ProSom)

General Sleep Medicines with minimal side effects include:

• Zolpidem (Ambien)
• Eszopiclone (Lunesta)
• Zaleplon (Sonata)

Barbiturates, mid-level addictives include: 

• Mephobarbital (Mebaral)
• Phenobarbital (Luminal Sodium)
• Pentobarbital sodium (Nembutal)

According to a research report, 53.6% of sedatives (CNS Depressants) obtained by students for misuse were from friends as they believed it was somewhat easy to procure.

Adverse Effects of Abusing CNS Depressants

CNS inhibits brain activity by binding to GABA receptors, thus producing a sense of ease and calmness in people with mental disorders. But as it’s used beyond its limit, one experiences adverse consequences such as:

• Coordination problems
• Lack of concentration
• Confusion
• Headache
• Dizziness
• Vision impairment
• Memory loss
• Speech problem

One must consult professionals immediately if the symptoms worsen or severity develops 844.445.2565.

CNS Depressant Detox And Withdrawal

CNS depressant withdrawal is usually not life-threatening, but in some cases, one may experience symptoms such as:

• Drug cravings
• Anxiety
• Panic attacks
• Excessive sweating
• Headache
• Sleep disturbance
• Muscle pain
• Nausea and vomiting

Mostly, these symptoms are accompanied by psychological disorders that require psychotherapy management, as explained below.

On the other hand, medications that could alleviate these symptoms during detox include:

• Flumazenil
• Buspirone (Buprenorphine, Subutex)

It is recommended to go for a comprehensive treatment when looking for CNS depressant withdrawal as it apprehends both body and mind when dependency develops.

Side Effects of Commonly Misused Prescription Drugs

c. Stimulants

As the name suggests, drugs that produce alertness and derive brain energy, stimulants are prescribed for a handful of brain disorders such as ADHD, narcolepsy, and sometimes depression. They activate reward centers and increase brain activity by releasing dopamine in the brain, which poses a high risk of addiction and dependence.

Categories of Stimulants

Although stimulants include many drugs such as cocaine and meth but commonly prescribed stimulants include:

• Dextroamphetamine (Dexedrine and Adderall)
• Methylphenidate (Ritalin and Concerta)

According to the latest statistics, Adderall has around 76% usage rate among stimulant abusers. At the same time, psychostimulants, including prescription stimulants, recently took around 21% of drug overdose deaths.

Complications of Misusing Stimulants

Stimulants, due to their brain-rewarding activity, are highly addictive substances. People misuse it to the level where they start experiencing side effects, including:

• Red eyes
• Paranoia
• Psychosis
• High Blood Pressure
• Heart rate irregularity
• Chills or sweating
• Fever
• Dilated pupils
• Hyperactivity
• Loss of appetite
• Tremors 
• Nausea or vomiting
• Decreased sleep
• Breathing issues
• Muscle twitches
• Weight loss

Prescription stimulant effects can lead to fatal consequences if not controlled timely. Call 911 immediately if you or your loved one feels any side effects due to regular stimulant use. You may call any rehab 844.445.2565 for help if you feel you are developing an addiction to stimulants.

Stimulant Withdrawal and Detox

Stimulant withdrawal is the most complex and is accompanied by unpleasant symptoms such as:

• Fatigue
• Depression
• Irregular sleep patterns
• Extreme mood swings
• Body shaking
• Cognitive impairment

Since there are no FDA-approved medications, stimulant detox is mainly treated with the help of DEA-certified practitioners who dispense symptomatic medicinal treatment along with psychotherapy 844.445.2565.

Risk Factors Leading to Prescription Drug Addiction

Addiction is not something that develops just by the use of drugs. It comprises a lot of external and internal factors that contribute to its development, including:

• Genetic
• Environmental, i.e., peer pressure, workload, lousy company
• Psychological, i.e., PTSD, Bipolar disorder, anxiety, depression
• Co-occurring disorders (SUD and Mental illness)
• Biological, i.e., poor metabolism
• Lack of sufficient knowledge about the harms of prescription drugs
• An individual’s gender, i.e., prescription abuse is prominent in males
• High doses
• Those with a history of substance misuse

It is a general criterion for assessing a person who could be prone to addiction easily.

Check Up on Yourself Before It Is Too Late!

If you find yourself or your loved one struggling to quit a prescription drug or any substance, you can take our self-assessment test to analyze the severity. Or get in touch with our 24/7 virtual experts 844.445.2565.

Prescription Drug Addiction Treatment With Choicepoint

Treatment for prescription drug abuse can either be through pharmacological or behavioral therapy methods, but a combination of both is recommended for better outcomes. At ChoicePoint, we treat your drug addiction differently.

a. Dual Diagnosis- A Holistic Treatment Plan

Diagnosis is the first step in any treatment. Our expert addiction treatment includes DSM-5 Criteria for recognizing and managing substance use disorder and mental illness, sometimes referred to as co-occurring disorders. We provide comprehensive treatment through our dual diagnosis program. Call 844.445.2565 to discuss your treatment needs!

Get To Know From Our Previous Clients

One of our sober clients, after getting addiction treatment, mentioned:

“ChoicePoint is a thorough, professionally run addiction program. The staff is knowledgeable and friendly. My counselor, Samantha, was a joy to work with…friendly and open yet performed her job with professional toughness. The group and individual sessions were extremely helpful and went beyond a standard addiction process. I would recommend this facility to everyone, especially those with less than good experience elsewhere.”

b. Behavioral Therapy and Counseling for SUDs and Mental Illness

As prescription stimulants and mental illness are not cured through medications, we provide psychotherapy and counseling-assisted psychiatrist consultations that include:

• Behavioral therapies, including cognitive and dialectical behavioral therapies, improve a person’s thinking ability and teach skills to know what’s good and what’s terrible for oneself to prevent relapse and maintain a sober life.
• Psychiatrists provide counseling through one-on-one, family, and peer fellow interactions that improve a person’s social interaction, work/school life relations, and familial relations.

c. Personalized Care

Treatment needs to be individualized and person-centered to get the most out of sobriety goals. That is why we provide personalized care to:

• Students, as prescription drugs, are the most common and easily accessible to students.
• Veterans as they are often associated with PTSD and substance use disorders.
• Expecting Mothers bear the worst consequences if they get an addiction.
• Criminal Justice and LGBT need specialized care due to marginalization in society.

We offer a wide range of commercial insurance programs. Fill out this form to verify your insurance and begin your treatment today!

We Accept Most Insurance Programs

Frequently Asked Questions Regarding Prescription Drug Addiction

You might be wondering some questions while reading about prescription drugs, as given below:

How to Report Someone Abusing Prescription Drugs?

Some steps you may take include:

• First, never try to intervene directly, rebuke, or force them to quit as it might cause trigger and violent behavior.
• Call 911 immediately if any side effects persist.
• Call the pharmacist or practitioner who prescribed the medication.
• Call a reputable addiction rehab 844.445.2565 to get expert advice.
• Look online for addiction guides that provide positive guidelines to get an insight into how to help someone.

What Is a Sign That Someone May Be Abusing Stimulants?

If someone abuses stimulants and does not admit you can check through their

• Aggressive behavior
• Extreme mood swings
• Deceptive behavior of lying and swearing too often
• Showing energy and motivation where not needed

Call an expert rehab 844.445.2565 to help them before it’s too late!

What Are the Symptoms of Addiction to Pain Medication?

If someone gets addicted to painkillers, i.e., prescription opioids like morphine, they might show signs such as:

• Insomnia, loss of sleep
• Body and muscle pain
• Restlessness and irritability
• Heavy breathing
• Increased tolerance
• psychosis
• Dilated pupils

Get to your doctor immediately if someone develops an addiction, or else it could be disastrous 844.445.2565

What Are Over-the-counter Drugs?

Medications readily available to the general public without a strict prescription are over-the-counter medications. Commonly misused OTC medicines include:

• Painkillers, i.e., Morphine 
• Cough syrup, i.e., Dextromethorphan (DXM)
• Anti-diarrheal, i.e., Loperamide

Why Are Over-the-counter Drugs Often Abused?

Over-the-counter medicines such as 

• cough suppressants
• sleeping aids
• antihistamines (antiinflammatory) 

can be easily abused due to their psychoactive, euphoric, and readily available properties. They seem to have easy access to everybody for getting a temporary high, but it can prove fatal in the end if prolonged.

What Are the Top 10 Most Common Drugs Abused?

The latest NIDA reports categorize the following drugs/substances mainly being abused in the United States.

• Alcohol
• Marijuana
• Painkillers, i.e., morphine
• Cocaine
• Heroin
• Benzodiazepines
• Prescription stimulant, i.e. Adderall, Ritalin
• Methamphetamines 
• Inhalants
• Barbiturate