The Dangers of Prescription Drugs

An easy way to avoid prescription drug abuse and addiction? Don’t take the pills in the first place! Many people who start taking prescription drugs, or even those they borrow from friends and family, don’t realize that these drugs can be just as addictive as illegal substances such as heroin and cocaine.

Getting Addicted

When we think about getting addicted to drugs, we usually think of marijuana, cocaine, and heroin. These drugs get a lot of attention because they’re illegal and addicts can suffer serious consequences (e.g., jail time). However, prescription drugs are actually one of the biggest causes of addiction in America today. Long-term prescription use is far more prevalent than many people realize; in fact, 4% of Americans take 10 or more prescriptions at once. The sheer amount of prescriptions make it all too easy to fall into an addiction cycle: something that could happen if you’re not careful when it comes to your medications and their long-term effects.

What Prescription Drugs Are Most Dangerous?

Most people think that because prescription drugs are manufactured and prescribed by a doctor, they must be safe. This is not true. According to Medline Plus, an online service run by National Institutes of Health (NIH), prescription medicines may have serious side effects or cause addiction and death if not taken as directed. For example, pain relievers such as Percocet and Vicodin contain opiates such as hydrocodone and oxycodone. These medications can quickly become addictive because they activate opioid receptors in your brain—the same receptors activated by heroin and morphine.

Prescription Opioids

According to data from SAMHSA (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration), 1.9 million people had substance use disorders related to prescription painkillers in 2014. In 2015, more than 14,000 people died from an overdose involving a prescription opioid—almost double over a five-year period. That’s why doctors are switching from prescription opioids to non-addictive alternatives like medical marijuana for pain relief.

Overcoming Addiction

The first step in overcoming addiction is to seek help. It’s important to find a drug rehab that will cater to your individual needs and provide all kinds of resources, including therapy, peer support groups, medications and holistic approaches. Not every addict responds well to all kinds of treatments, so it’s vital that you find one that works for you. The treatment should last for at least 30 days; it may take some time before you are completely free from your dependence on drugs or alcohol. But with proper treatment, you can overcome your addiction and begin living a healthier life without dependencies on addictive substances.