Prescription Drug Abuse Cleveland OH (877) 804-1531

Prescription drug abuse includes the over use and misuse of various prescription medications, either through the medical system or on the black market. While many drugs have the potential to be abused, the most commonly abused medications are opioid painkillers, central nervous system (CNS) depressants and stimulants. CNS depressants are also known as tranquilizers or sedatives. Prescription drug abuse affects people from all walks of life, with dependence sometimes creeping up on people as dosage levels are increased slowly and tolerance develops over time. If you or anyone you know is living with prescription drug abuse, it's important to reach out to professional rehab treatment centers for help. Call Cleveland Drug Treatment Centers at (877) 804-1531 to learn more about treatment and recovery options.

What is Prescription Drug Abuse?

There are many ways to over use or misuse legal medications, including taking a larger dose than prescribed, combining multiple prescription drugs, taking drugs prescribed for another person, buying prescriptions on the black market, buying prescription drugs on the black market, and using drugs in a different way than intended. While the vast majority of medications are designed to be taken orally in either pill or tablet form, prescription drugs are sometimes crushed so they can be snorted or injected. While some people develop problems slowly as a direct result of legitimate long-term prescriptions, other people abuse drugs on purpose for their recreational qualities. Opioids are largely taken for their euphoric qualities, with CNS depressants taken for their sedative effects and stimulants taken for their stimulant effects.

Prescription Opioid Abuse

Opioids include all chemical substances that resemble naturally occurring opiates. Opioid drugs work by binding to opioid receptors, which are mainly found in the central nervous system, peripheral nervous system and gastrointestinal tract. Opioids are incredibly useful drugs taken widely for pain relief, with common side effects of opioid use being respiratory depression, sedation, constipation and a strong sense of euphoria. The euphoric qualities of opioid drugs influence their recreational use, with tolerance and dependence often developing over time. Commonly abused opioid drugs include morphine, codeine, oxycodone, hydrocodone, methadone and buprenorphine. Common trade names for these drugs in the United States include Vicodin, Demerol, Dolophine, Duragesic, Fentora, Lorcet, Methadose, Roxicodone, Dilaudid, Exalgo, Actiq, Lortab, Norco, Avinza, Kadian, Oxycontin, Oxyfast and Percocet.

Prescription Sedative Abuse

A range of drugs fall under this category, with benzodiazepines the most well-known example. Taken medically to treat anxiety and sleep disorders, benzodiazepines are also abused for their sedative qualities and combined with other drugs in a recreational context. Common benzodiazepine drugs by trade name include Valium, Xanax, Serax, Xanor, Librium, Klonopin, Apzepam, Vival, Rohypnol, Hipnosedon, Vulbegal, Ativan, Lorenin, Lorsilan, Mogadon, Alodorm and many more. Long-term benzodiazepine abuse has been associated with a number of physical and psychological problems, with paradoxical effects including aggression, violence and impulsivity and adverse cognitive effects including anterograde amnesia and impairments to information processing. While the short-term use of these drugs is generally believed to be safe, long-term use can lead to tolerance, dependence, and medical complications.

Prescription Stimulant Abuse

Stimulant drugs are taken medically to treat obesity and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), with these substances also taken recreationally to induce feelings of euphoria and motivation. Stimulants include dextroamphetamine drugs such as Dexedrine, methylphenidate drugs like Ritalin and Concerta, and amphetamines like Adderall. Stimulants are available through the medical system, with drugs also available on the black market as an alternative to the illicit stimulant methamphetamine. While stimulant abuse does not cause a physical withdrawal syndrome upon cessation of use, a severe emotional-motivational withdrawal syndrome is likely for heavy and long-term users.

If you or someone you love is addicted to any of these medications, call Cleveland Drug Treatment Centers today. We can help you find rehab centers that will meet all of your recovery needs.