Prescription Drug Abuse – Symptoms and Causes
Overview
Prescription drug abuse happens when someone uses medicine in ways not prescribed by their doctor. This includes taking someone else’s medicine, taking extra doses, or crushing pills to snort or inject them. This behavior can become compulsive despite harmful effects.
This growing problem affects people of all ages, including teenagers. The most commonly misused prescription medications fall into several categories:
- Opioid Painkillers
- Anti-Anxiety Medicines
- Sedatives
- Stimulants
Catching the signs of prescription drug misuse early is important. Quick intervention can help prevent casual misuse from developing into addiction.
The difference between proper use and abuse often starts with how a person takes their medication and why they’re using it.
Warning Signs of Prescription Drug Misuse
Different prescription medications cause different symptoms when misused. The three types of medications most often misused include:
- Pain relievers
- Anti-anxiety drugs and sleep aids
- ADHD and concentration medications
Each type of medication creates its own warning signs:
Opioid Warning Signs:
- Constipation
- Feeling unusually good or high
- Slow breathing
- Sleepiness
- Mental confusion
- Poor physical coordination
- Needing larger doses for pain control
- Pain getting worse despite taking more
Anti-Anxiety and Sleep Medication Warning Signs:
- Extreme drowsiness
- Confusion
- Unsteady walking
- Unclear speech
- Trouble focusing
- Dizziness
- Memory problems
- Slow breathing
Stimulant Warning Signs:
- Unusual alertness
- Feeling high
- Uneven heartbeat
- High blood pressure
- Fever
- Less hunger
- Sleep problems
- Restlessness or worry
- Suspicion of others
General Warning Signs:
- Changing prescriptions without permission
- Taking more than prescribed
- Mood swings
- Changed sleep patterns
- Poor choices
- Unusual energy levels
- Asking for early refills
- Seeing multiple doctors for prescriptions
When Medical Help Is Needed
Speak with a healthcare provider if you think you might have an issue with prescription medications. Many people feel ashamed to bring up this topic, but doctors are trained to help with these problems.
Why People Misuse Prescription Drugs
People misuse prescription drugs for many reasons. These include:
- Seeking pleasure – some use drugs to get high or feel good.
- Managing stress – taking drugs to relax or reduce tension.
- Pain control – using medications to stop physical pain.
- Weight control – using drugs to decrease hunger.
- Staying awake – taking medications to increase alertness.
- Curiosity – trying drugs to see how they affect the mind.
- Avoiding withdrawal – using drugs to prevent withdrawal symptoms.
- Social acceptance – taking drugs to fit in with friends.
- Performance – using drugs to try to do better at school or work
What Puts You at Risk
People who have abused other substances before are more likely to misuse prescription drugs. Other risk factors include:
- Family members who have had substance abuse problems
- Mental health issues
- Friends who use drugs
- Easy access to prescription medications at home
- Not understanding how dangerous these drugs can be
Many people worry about becoming addicted to medications their doctors prescribe, like pain medicine after surgery. You can lower this risk by carefully following your doctor’s instructions.
Teens and young adults have the highest rates of prescription drug abuse.
Prescription Drug Problems in Older People
As people age, they face special risks with prescription medications. Older adults often:
- Take multiple medications for different health conditions
- Experience stronger drug effects as their bodies process medications differently
- Face greater dangers when combining prescriptions with alcohol
These factors make older people particularly vulnerable to accidental misuse or dependence on prescription drugs. When seniors take several medications, they may accidentally take too much or mix medicines that shouldn’t be combined.
Health Problems from Misusing Prescription Drugs
Misusing prescription drugs can be very dangerous. Taking too many pills or mixing them with alcohol or other drugs can lead to serious health problems or even death.
Opioid painkillers can make it hard to breathe and might cause you to stop breathing completely. Some people fall into a coma, and deaths from opioid overdose are common.
Anti-anxiety medications and sedatives can cause problems with memory and thinking. They also lower blood pressure and slow breathing. Taking too much can cause a coma or death. Stopping these drugs suddenly can cause withdrawal, including seizures.
Stimulant drugs raise body temperature and blood pressure. They can cause heart problems, seizures, hallucinations, and make people feel paranoid or aggressive.
Dependence and Addiction Issues
Prescription drugs affect the brain’s reward system, which can lead to two serious problems:
- Drug Tolerance: When your body gets used to a drug, you might need more of it to feel the same effects. This is called physical dependence. If you stop taking the drug, you might feel sick or uncomfortable.
-
Addiction: This goes beyond physical dependence. People with addiction:
- Cannot control their drug use
- Keep using drugs even when it causes problems
- Spend a lot of time getting and using drugs
- Have strong cravings for the drug
- Life Problems: Misusing prescription drugs can harm your life in many ways:
| Problem Area | Possible Consequences |
|---|---|
| Behavior | Poor decisions, risky actions |
| Legal issues | Criminal activity, arrests |
| Safety | Car accidents, injuries |
| Performance | Lower grades, job problems |
| Relationships | Conflicts with family and friends |
| Other drug use | Starting to use illegal drugs |
People who misuse prescription drugs often find these problems getting worse over time.
