Pain conditions, anxiety and attention disorders can be debilitating, and for some, medication is a solution that allows them to get through their days without worry. But prescriptions are carefully considered by the prescribing healthcare professional — the type of medication and the specific doses are meant to balance out an individual patient’s concerns with precision. When taken as directed, these medications work as intended. But when they are misused, the disruption they cause in the brain and body can lead to dependence and addiction.

Opioid painkillers, for example, produce an intoxicating high much like heroin when they are injected or taken orally in high doses. Anxiety medications work similarly, providing a sleepy euphoric high, while the amphetamines in drugs like Ritalin and Adderall feel more like stimulants (e.g., cocaine or meth). 

The National Survey on Drug Use and Health found that, in 2017, approximately 6 million Americans had misused prescription drugs within the last month. Of these 6 million individuals:

• 2 million had misused painkillers
• 8 million had misused stimulants
• 7 million had misused tranquilizers
• 352,000 had misused sedatives

The drug-specific statistics total 7.1 million cases of prescription drug misuse, which means that as many as 1.1 million individuals had misused more than one type of prescription drug. It’s clear that these drugs can be habit-forming, and that many Americans have access to prescription-strength drugs that they may not need for medical purposes. To keep yourself and your loved ones safe, it’s important to dispose of any unused prescription medications and to be aware of signs of prescription misuse.

The effects of prescription drugs misuse vary depending on the type of prescription drug you’re consuming. No matter which kind of drug is being abused, however, there are both short- and long-term effects on the brain and body. In the short term, someone who is using prescription drugs recreationally may show signs of being high. These signs can include:

Opioids and Sedatives

• Drowsiness
• Dizziness
• Sedation
• Confusion
• Euphoria

Stimulants

• Bursts of energy
• Excitability
• Risky behavior
• Increased sociability
• Mood swings

However, with long-term prescription drug use, the effects on the brain will affect a person’s self-control and ability to make sound decisions. Over time, an individual can start to rely on the short-term effects that these drugs have to feel a certain way. This is when addiction begins — someone who becomes addicted to prescription drugs will feel as though they need to use the drug, no matter what the consequences might be. Some signs that an individual is developing an addiction include:

• Drug-seeking behavior, such as asking for a prescription or visiting multiple doctors
• Noticeable panic, anxiety or anger when a prescription isn’t available
• Withdrawal symptoms when not using (nausea, flu-like illness, chills, headaches, trouble sleeping)
• Irritability or unexplained mood swings
• Loss of interest in usual activities
• Using drugs even though they interfere with responsibilities like work, school or family
• Financial or legal difficulties
• Using other drugs that mimic the effects of their prescription (e.g., heroin or meth)

If you are noticing any of these signs, you should consult with a doctor or an addiction specialist right away. Seeking professional help is the best way to get a diagnosis and to ensure that you or your loved one receives the treatment they need to break the cycle of addiction.

Prescription drug addiction can happen to anyone, regardless of age, gender, wealth or ethnicity. There are some trends in prescription drug misuse, though, that might help you understand if you or your loved one is at a higher risk for developing a drug habit. According to the Mayo Clinic, some of these risk factors include:

• History of addiction to other substances
• Substance abuse problems that run in the family
• A pre-existing mental health diagnosis such as depression or anxiety
• Peer pressure or exposure to social environments with drug use
• Access to prescription drugs for legitimate use (either a personal prescription or the prescription of a family member or housemate)
• Lack of awareness about prescription drug addiction

Teens and young adults are at particularly high risk due to peer pressure and exposure to experimentation with substances. The elderly are also at risk because many older adults take several prescription medications. It can be difficult to keep track of them or know how they will interact. Another at-risk group includes people who have recently been injured or had surgery. Pain is very commonly treated with opioid medications — sometimes called opiates or narcotics — which are known for being highly addictive.

Prescription drug abuse is a growing problem in our nation resulting in many unintentional overdoses and deaths. However, there is hope for recovery from prescription drug addiction when you seek help through an accredited drug addiction treatment center.

Years of research have shown that addiction to prescription drugs is an identifiable, diagnosable mental health disorder which can be treated effectively. Treatment must take into account the type of drug used and the needs of the individual. Successful treatment may need to incorporate several components, including detoxification, counseling and sometimes the use of medications to wean an individual off the drug they were abusing. If you are unsure of how to find an addiction treatment center that is right for you, there are many options available: you can work with your primary care doctor, or seek help from resources like the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration hotline. Working with professionals will ensure that you find a treatment center that meets your particular needs.

Cumberland Heights offers high-quality addiction treatment in the Nashville, Tennessee area. We welcome clients of all ages from across the country who are seeking rehabilitation from drug or alcohol addiction and are looking for a supportive community where they can focus on their healing. We can help you or your loved one begin prescription drug recovery through our intensive addiction treatment and addiction relapse prevention programs.

We offer 30-day and Extended Care residential programs, and are affiliated with a variety of outpatient locations and sober living homes. We work with each client on an individual basis to determine the right programs for their needs. We know that everyone experiences prescription drug addiction differently, so everyone will have a different path to recovery — it’s our job to help them find this path.

In our programs, you’ll learn vital skills that are intended to help you achieve long-term sobriety. At Cumberland Heights, we focus on imparting 12-Step principles and strengthening your spirit. Addiction is an ongoing illness that doesn’t have a one-time cure — but equipped with the right tools from the right treatment center, you can maintain abstinence from substances for life. Contact Cumberland Heights to get help today.