Prescription drug abuse

Overview

Prescription drug abuse is the use of a prescription medication in a way not intended by the prescribing doctor. Prescription drug abuse or problematic use includes everything from taking a friend’s prescription painkiller for your backache to snorting or injecting ground-up pills to get high. Drug abuse may become ongoing and compulsive, despite the negative consequences.

An increasing problem, prescription drug abuse can affect all age groups, including teens. The prescription drugs most often abused include opioid painkillers, anti-anxiety medications, sedatives and stimulants.

Early identification of prescription drug abuse and early intervention may prevent the problem from turning into an addiction.

Symptoms

Signs and symptoms of prescription drug abuse depend on the specific drug. Because of their mind-altering properties, the most commonly abused prescription drugs are:

Opioids used to treat pain, for example medications containing oxycodone — such as Oxycontin and Percocet — and those containing hydrocodone — such as Norco
Anti-anxiety medications and sedatives, such as alprazolam (Xanax) and diazepam (Valium), and hypnotics, such as zolpidem (Ambien), used to treat anxiety and sleep disorders
Stimulants, such as methylphenidate (Ritalin, Concerta, others), dextroamphetamine and amphetamine (Adderall XR, Mydayis), and dextroamphetamine (Dexedrine), used to treat attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and certain sleep disorders

Opioids	Anti-anxiety medications and sedatives	Stimulants
ConstipationNauseaFeeling high (euphoria)Slowed breathing rateDrowsinessConfusionPoor coordinationIncreased dose required for pain reliefWorsening or increased sensitivity to pain with higher doses (hyperalgesia)	DrowsinessConfusionUnsteady walkingSlurred speechPoor concentrationDizzinessProblems with memorySlowed breathing	Increased alertnessFeeling highIrregular heartbeatHigh blood pressureHigh body temperatureReduced appetiteInsomniaAgitationAnxietyParanoia

Other signs include:

Stealing, forging or selling prescriptions
Taking higher doses than prescribed
Excessive mood swings or hostility
Increase or decrease in sleep
Poor decision-making
Appearing to be high, unusually energetic or revved up, or sedated
Requesting early refills or continually “losing” prescriptions, so more prescriptions must be written
Seeking prescriptions from more than one doctor

When to see a doctor

Talk with your doctor if you think you may have a problem with prescription drug use. You may feel embarrassed to talk about it — but remember that medical professionals are trained to help you, not judge you. It’s easier to tackle the problem early before it becomes an addiction and leads to more-serious problems.

Causes

Teens and adults abuse prescription drugs for many reasons, such as:

To feel good or get high
To relax or relieve tension
To reduce appetite or increase alertness
To experiment with the mental effects of the substance
To maintain an addiction and prevent withdrawal
To be accepted by peers or to be social
To try to improve concentration and academic or work performance

Risk factors

Some people fear that they may become addicted to medications prescribed for medical conditions, such as painkillers prescribed after surgery. But you can reduce your risk by carefully following your doctor’s instructions on how to take your medication.

Prescription drug abuse can happen at any age, but commonly begins in teens or young adults.

Risk factors for prescription drug abuse include:

Past or present addictions to other substances, including alcohol and tobacco
Family history of substance abuse problems
Certain pre-existing psychiatric conditions
Exposure to peer pressure or a social environment where there’s drug use
Easier access to prescription drugs, such as having prescription medications in the home medicine cabinet
Lack of knowledge about prescription drugs and their potential harm

Older adults and prescription drug abuse

Prescription drug abuse in older adults is a growing problem, especially when they combine drugs with alcohol. Having multiple health problems and taking multiple drugs can put seniors at risk of misusing drugs or becoming addicted.

Complications

Abusing prescription drugs can cause a number of problems. Prescription drugs can be especially dangerous — and even lead to death — when taken in high doses, when combined with other prescription drugs or certain over-the-counter medications, or when taken with alcohol or illegal or recreational drugs.

Medical consequences

Here are examples of serious consequences of prescription drug abuse:

Opioids can cause low blood pressure, a slowed breathing rate and potential for breathing to stop, or a coma. Overdose has a significant risk of death.
Anti-anxiety medications and sedatives can cause memory problems, low blood pressure and slowed breathing. Overdose can cause coma or death. Abruptly stopping the medication may cause withdrawal symptoms that can include nervous system hyperactivity and seizures.
Stimulants can cause dangerously high body temperature, heart problems, high blood pressure, seizures or tremors, hallucinations, aggressiveness, and paranoia.

Physical dependence and addiction

Because commonly abused prescription drugs activate the brain’s reward center, it’s possible to develop physical dependence and addiction.

Physical dependence. Physical dependence (also called tolerance) is the body’s response to long-term use. People who are physically dependent on a drug may need higher doses to get the same effects and may experience withdrawal symptoms when cutting back or abruptly stopping the drug. Physical dependence may also become evident if a drug the body becomes adjusted to over time, even without dosage change, is stopped abruptly.
Addiction. People who are addicted to a drug can have physical dependence, but they also compulsively seek a drug and continue to use it even when that drug causes significant problems in their lives.

Other consequences

Other potential consequences include:

Engaging in risky behaviors because of poor judgment
Using illegal or recreational drugs
Being involved in crime
Motor vehicle accidents
Decreased academic or work performance
Troubled relationships

Prevention

Prescription drug abuse may occur in people who need painkillers, sedatives or stimulants to treat a medical condition. If you’re taking a commonly abused drug, here are ways to reduce your risk:

Make sure you’re getting the right medication. Make sure your doctor clearly understands your condition and the signs and symptoms. Tell your doctor about all your prescriptions, as well as over-the-counter medications, herbs and supplements, and alcohol and other drug use. Ask your doctor whether there’s an alternative medication with ingredients that have less potential for addiction.
Check in with your doctor. Talk with your doctor on a regular basis to make sure that the medication you’re taking is working and you’re taking the right dose.
Follow directions carefully. Use your medication the way it was prescribed. Don’t stop or change the dose of a drug on your own if it doesn’t seem to be working without talking to your doctor. For example, if you’re taking a pain medication that isn’t adequately controlling your pain, don’t take more.
Know what your medication does. Ask your doctor or pharmacist about the effects of your medication, so you know what to expect. Also check if other drugs, over-the-counter products or alcohol should be avoided when taking this medication.
Never use another person’s prescription. Everyone is different. Even if you have a similar medical condition, it may not be the right medication or dose for you.
Don’t order prescriptions online unless they’re from a trustworthy pharmacy. Some websites sell counterfeit prescription and nonprescription drugs that could be dangerous.

Preventing prescription drug abuse in teens

Prescription drugs are commonly misused substances by young people. Follow these steps to help prevent your teen from abusing prescription medications.

Discuss the dangers. Emphasize to your teen that just because drugs are prescribed by a doctor doesn’t make them safe — especially if they were prescribed to someone else or if your child is already taking other prescription medications.
Set rules. Let your teen know that it’s not OK to share medications with others — or to take drugs prescribed for others. Emphasize the importance of taking the prescribed dose and talking with the doctor before making changes.
Discuss the dangers of alcohol use. Using alcohol with medications can increase the risk of accidental overdose.
Keep your prescription drugs safe. Keep track of drug quantities and keep them in a locked medicine cabinet.
Make sure your child isn’t ordering drugs online. Some websites sell counterfeit and dangerous drugs that may not require a prescription.
Properly dispose of medications. Don’t leave unused or expired drugs around. Check the label or patient information guide for disposal instructions, or ask your pharmacist for advice on disposal.