Most commonly abused:
Opioids
CNS Depressants
Stimulants
Abusing prescription drugs is dangerous
some may argue even more than illicit drugs. Their concentration is pure and strong and they also tend to be inexpensive and accessible. An estimated 9 million people aged 12 and older used prescription drugs for non-medical reasons in 1999.
Signs of Abuse:
"Doctor shopping" for prescriptions, frequent requests for refills, stolen, altered or false prescription forms, missing medications in your home or theft from another home, preoccupation with using prescription drugs as coping tools.
Assessing Prescription Drug Abuse:
- Have you ever felt a need to Cut down on your use of prescription drugs?
- Have you ever felt Annoyed by remarks your friends or loved ones made about your use of prescription drugs?
- Have you ever felt Guilty about your use of prescription drugs?
- Have you Ever used prescription drugs as a way to "get going" or to "calm down?"
Other Links:
Prescription Drug resources for abusers and their families
Prescription Drugs: Abuse and Addiction
Oxycontin Information
Prescription Drug Information
Find Treatment
CADCA Prescription Drug Initiative
Prescribed to treat pain, sometimes referred to as narcotics including morphine and codeine.
Brand Names
Oxycontin, Percocet, Darvon, Darvocet, Vicodin, Lorcet, Dialaudid, Demerol
Immediate effects:
Drowsiness, constipation, depressed respiration, euphoria
Long Term effects:
High addictive potential, severe respiratory depression or death following a large dose
Withdrawal:
Restlessness, muscle and bone pain, insomnia, diarrhea, vomiting, cold flashes, involuntary leg movements
Most patients who are prescribed opioids for pain, even those undergoing long-term therapy, do not become addicted to the drugs. The few patients who do develop rapid and marked tolerance for and addiction to opioids usually have a history of psychological problems or prior substance abuse. In fact, studies have shown that abuse potential of opioid medications is generally low in health, non drug-abusing volunteers. One study found that only 4 out of about 12,000 patients who were given opioids for acute pain became addicted. In a study of 38 chronic pain patients, most of whom received opioids for 4 to 7 years, only 2 patients became addicted, and both had a history of drug abuse.
Central Nervous System Depressants
Slows normal brain function and is used to treat anxiety and sleep disorders Barbituates & Benzodiazepines
Brand Names
Valium, Librium, Xanax, Halcyon, Pro Som
Immediate effects:
Sleepy and uncoordinated feeling
Long Term effects:
Physical dependence and addiction, extremely dangerous if combined with alcohol, pain medication, over the counter cold and allergy medications
Withdrawal:
Seizure, rapid increase in brain activity
Enhance brain activity to increase alertness, attention and energy. Used to treat asthma, respiratory problems, obesity, neurological disorders, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder Amphetamine, methamphetamine, khat
Brand Names
Dexedrine, Ritalin, Meridia
Immediate effects:
Elevated blood pressure, increased heart rate, increased respiration, suppressed appetite and sleep deprivation
Long Term effects:
Irregular heart beat, heart failure and lethal seizures, hostility, paranoia, addiction