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Some people misuse it for its fast-acting sedating effects.Īccording to the CDC, more than four times as many Americans died in 2015 than 2002 from overdoses that involved benzodiazepines. It depresses your CNS, which has a calming effect. It’s prescribed to treat anxiety and panic disorders. It’s commonly sold under the brand name Xanax. Signs and symptoms of misuse include:Īlprazolam is a benzodiazepine. They’re also called tranquillizers and have a calming effect. Withdrawal symptoms may include:ĬNS depressants include barbiturates and benzodiazepines. If you’re addicted to opioids, you’ll likely develop withdrawal symptoms when you stop using them. Like other opioids, it produces feelings of euphoria.Īccording to the CDC, 2,666 Americans died in 2011 from drug poisoning that involved opioid painkillers other than methadone, such as meperidine or fentanyl. It’s typically used to treat moderate to severe pain. It’s often sold under the brand name Demerol. In addition to the common signs and symptoms associated with opioid misuse, fentanyl misuse may also lead to hallucinations and bad dreams. In October 2017, the CDC reported that fentanyl is involved in over half of opioid-related overdose deaths across 10 states. In many cases, it’s mixed with heroin, cocaine, or both. It creates feelings of euphoria and relaxation.įentanyl is also illegally manufactured and sold as an illicit recreational drug. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), it’s 50 to 100 times stronger than morphine. It’s prescribed for acute and chronic pain, typically in people with cancer. It provides the base for an illicit drug concoction known as “purple drank,” “sizzurp,” or “lean.” This concoction also contains soda and sometimes candy. It can also cause altered levels of consciousness. When consumed in high quantities, codeine-based cough syrup has a sedative effect. For example, it’s commonly found in prescription-strength cough syrup. It’s also combined with other medications to treat cold and flu symptoms. CodeineĬodeine is typically prescribed to treat mild to moderate pain. According to the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), 58.8 million prescriptions for oxycodone were dispensed in the United States in 2013. Like heroin, it creates a euphoric, sedative effect. It changes how your central nervous system (CNS) responds to pain. It’s also sold in combination with acetaminophen as Percocet. Oxycodone is commonly sold under the brand name Ox圜ontin. Signs and symptoms of opioid misuse may include: Read on to begin learning about prescription drugs that are commonly misused. Over time, you might become dependent on the drug to feel “good” or “normal.” You might also develop a tolerance to the drug. This results in a pleasurable “high” that can motivate you to take the drug again. Most addictive drugs affect your brain’s reward system by flooding it with dopamine. Some prescription drugs are more addictive than others. If you become addicted to a prescription drug, you may compulsively use it, even when it causes you harm. However, it’s also possible to become addicted to medications that your doctor has prescribed. Some people become addicted to illicit recreational drugs, such as cocaine or heroin. It’s a disease that can affect your brain and behavior, making it difficult to control your use of drugs. About 1 percent of Americans aged 12 and older had a prescription drug use disorder.ĭrug addiction is a component of drug use disorder. In a survey conducted in 2015, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) found that 18.9 million Americans aged 12 and older misused prescription drugs in the past year.
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As the number of issued prescriptions rises, so do the rates of people misusing prescription drugs.
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Just because a doctor prescribes a pill doesn’t mean that it’s safe for everyone.
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Understanding prescription drug addiction
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