Many fell into their dependency slowly after being prescribed these medications legitimately for pain, anxiety, or other disorders.OxyContin (oxycodone) has made headlines in recent years for causing the deaths of many people, especially teens who were using the drug recreationally by snorting or using it intravenously. There are however many more prescription drugs that are abused daily, both intentionally by those seeking a high and also by people who have been taking prescribed medications and have become physically addicted to the substances. Both situations are a health care and social crisis.
The Narcotic drug class tends to get the most attention, also known as Opioids - the same class as the street drug heroin. Commonly prescribed drugs in this class include Morphine (several brand-names), Vicodin, Lortab, Roxicet, Percocet, OxyContin, Fentanyl, Demerol, Methadone, Darvon, Stadol, and Tylenol with Codeine (commonly known as Tylenol 3). All of these drugs are prescribed for severe pain. They all have very high physical and psychological dependence rates, and the body develops a tolerance to these substances quickly, resulting in the need for more of the drug to produce the same effect.
The equally addictive Depressant drug class includes Benzodiazepines such as Ativan, Valium, Restoril, Rohypnol (Roofies), Xanax, and Klonopin and the often overlooked sedative and hypnotic Depressant drugs such as Sonata, and Ambien, and Barbiturates like Methaqualone (Quaalude). Although some of these are familiar as drugs of abuse, others are very common, and still considered to be "non-addictive" by some doctors. It is drugs in this class, especially Benzodiazepines like Xanax and its counterparts that are prescribed for symptomatic relief of anxiety disorders, that actually make the underlying problem worse - after only a short amount of time, the patient's body will need more of the drug to experience the same amount of relief, while simultaneously, he or she will experience terrible withdrawal symptoms including anxiety, convulsions, and possible death if the drug is not taken.
In the stimulant class, the most popularly abused meds are Ritalin, Concerta, Metadate, and Dexedrine. All distant relatives of the street drug "meth" or Methamphetamine, these drugs stimulate the central nervous system and produce varied degrees of alertness, euphoria, and eventually irritability, depression and general lack of interest, creating a revolving door effect (like most drugs). Abuse of these drugs seems to be more recreational than circumstantial; many of those who need these medications for legitimate purposes do not feel the same effects as those who take it recreationally.
Lura Seavey - I am a writer, a mother, an artist, and an activist. My passion is using words to inspire, provoke, and encourage questions. I have ...
