We’ve been cleverly marketed to. Commercials and ads tell us that for every minor discomfort or “issue” we have, there is a prescription medication that can cure it. Most people have taken or are currently taking a prescription pill to lower, reduce, eliminate, increase or quiet some aspect of them selves.
Many people look for quick fixes in different areas of life. No one wants to be slowed down by chronic pain, depression or some other condition. And some doctors take advantage of this, all too willing to prescribe potentially addicting and dangerous medications that can cause more problems than they solve.
Many people take these meds legally and responsibly after receiving a prescription from a doctor. In fact, many people take multiple medications for multiple health issues. Some people take so many pills, in fact, that they keep complex charts so they don’t get confused or store them in pill boxes sorted by the day of the week.
Painkillers And Stimulants Popular Choices For Abuse
There are also plenty of people who take prescription meds for illicit purposes. They are a hot commodity on the black market – especially powerful opioids such as OxyContin. An epidemic of painkiller abuse and addiction is sweeping the country, leaving in its wake a trail of accidental overdoses and deaths.
Some people base entire events such as parties around pharmaceuticals. There have been widespread reports of “pharm” parties, where participants throw pills in a bowl and select them at random for consumption. This is very dangerous, especially if alcohol or other drugs are involved. The most abused drugs include opioids and benzodiazepines (“benzos”), which are often used to treat anxiety and panic disorders.
Stimulants are another top choice, especially among young people. Adderall is prescribed for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and narcolepsy. Some people take it, saying it helps them lose weight. Others use it because it allows them to be hyper focused during tests or important tasks.
Outcomes Of Prescription Pill Abuse Include Interactions, Overdose, Addiction
Mixing medications can be a very bad idea. Opioids, benzodiazepines and alcohol all affect breathing by depressing the central nervous system. People who don’t have legitimate prescriptions for medications may not be aware of warnings and precautions listed on the label. Dangerous interactions can occur, leading to possible death.
Prescription drug overdose is another possibility, and this can be fatal. Addiction is a very serious disorder that often results from misuse or abuse of drugs. Trying to quit some meds – such as painkillers – can be difficult and dangerous because of opioid withdrawal. Detox may be the best bet in terms of recovery if you or a loved one has become dependent upon a prescription medication.
