Prescription Medication Addiction

Whilst we are able o treat clients of most prescription medications,  here are the three most commonly abused types of prescription drugs and how they impact the brain and body:

• Opioids: Usually prescribed to treat pain, opioid medications contain oxycodone (the active ingredient in Oxycontin and Percocet) or hydrocodone (the active ingredient in Norco). Opioids affect receptors in the brain and spinal cord, reducing pain signals and impacting areas of the brain that control emotion.

• Tranquilizers, sedatives, and hypnotics: These drugs, known as central nervous system depressants, work by slowing brain activity.This category includes mental health medications, anti-anxiety drugs, as well as prescription drugs for sleep disorders, such as brand named drugs like Xanax, Valium, and Ambien.

• Stimulants: Stimulants increase the release of dopamine in the brain and body, and create a feeling of heightened alertness. Most often prescribed for ADHD, these medications include methylphenidate (in Ritalin and Concerta), dextroamphetamine and amphetamine (in Adderall), and dextroamphetamine (in Dexedrine).

Signs of prescription medications addiction can include both physical and psychological symptoms. Here are the signs that may signal that someone has a prescription medication addiction.

Physical symptoms may include:

• Intoxication – Depending on the drug, prescription drug intoxication may invoke drowsiness, difficulty in staying awake, slurred or slowed speech and difficult to engage with, or the person may be full of energy, confident and unusually chatty.
• Mixing prescription drugs with alcohol, medications or other drugs – Those that abuse prescription drugs are likely aiming to get ‘high’. They may achieve the high they are seeking by combing prescriptions drugs with alcohol or other drugs.
• Taking more of the drug than they are prescribed.
• Taking prescription drugs that do not belong to them – Sourcing prescription drugs from the internet, family, friends or a street dealer.
• Binging on prescription drugs – Abuse of drugs includes binging on them. The individual may save up prescription drugs so that they can take them all in one go or over a short period of time.
• Changes in weight and appearance – Abusing prescription drugs can lead to weight loss/gain and loss of interest in appearance. Dilated or constricted pupils, bloodshot eyes and looking unusually unkempt are also signs of addiction.
• Changing the route of administration – One form of prescription drug abuse is to change the route of administration other than prescribed. This may include crushing and snorting tablets or injecting an oral solution.

Psychological Symptoms may include:

• Severe mood swings – Following on from abusing prescription drugs there will be a period of "coming down" from the high. The individual may appear agitated, anxious, panicky, paranoid, delusional, violent or depressed.
• Changes in character and behaviour – A person who abuses prescription drugs may act out of character and behave impulsively with little or no thought to possible consequences. 
• Changes in social interaction – Someone who is abusing prescription drugs may start to socialise with a different circle of friends or adversely isolate on their own.
• Loss of interest in things they used to enjoy – This may include hobbies and time spent with family and friends.
• Suffer consequences as a direct result of prescription drug abuse – They may start to fall behind at school or suffer consequences at work, physically or mentally, or have problems within their family and social environment.