Prescription medications have been the boon of modern medicine – they are meant to manage, to heal. But unfortunately, there is a darker side to these medications. Many prescription medications carry the risk of addiction. They can lead to dependence, withdrawal, and other serious health complications.
In this article, we shall explore the prescription drugs that are addictive, identify what pills are addictive, and highlight the most addictive pills in the market. The goal is to keep you informed, so that you or a loved one can stay informed, recognize the early warning signs, and take the right steps toward recovery.
What Makes a Drug Addictive?
Before getting into the most addictive prescription drugs out there, we need to understand what makes a drug addictive in the first place.
Chemical Makeup – The chemical makeup or composition of some prescription drugs, like sedatives and opioids, affects the brain’s reward system to produce pleasurable feelings. This is why a person keeps going back for more – to experience the high/relaxing effects.
Rapid Onset – The prescription drugs that provide more instantaneous high/relaxation feelings are more likely to be more addictive.
Biology and Genetics – Those with a family history of substance misuse are more likely to misuse prescription drugs, as this condition runs in families.
Mental Health Complications – Those struggling with co-occurring mental health conditions, such as anxiety, depression, trauma, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and more, are more vulnerable to prescription medication.
Environmental and Social Factors – Prescription medications are quite easy to access – so, given environmental and social factors, like normalization, peer pressure, and more, can impact problematic drug use patterns.
What Are the Most Addictive Prescription Drugs?
Opioids
Opioids are the most addictive prescription drugs out there. There is a reason why the opioid epidemic is gripping the U.S., as these opioids bind to the opioid receptors in the brain to produce pain relief and other pleasurable feelings. This is why they are highly addictive.
For instance, prescription opioids like morphine, hydrocodone, oxycodone, and codeine can be highly effective for pain relief when used as per the doctor’s prescription. However, they can also lead to deadly consequences like overdose and death when misused.
Stimulants
Prescription medications are used to enhance focus and energy by targeting the dopamine and norepinephrine levels in the brain. For instance, amphetamine (Adderall), lisdexamfetamine (Vyvanse), and methylphenidate are commonly prescribed to treat conditions like ADHD.
However, as they boost energy and enhance focus, they can be misused as study aids and even for recreational purposes. Just to give you a perspective, even something as highly addictive as cocaine is a stimulant (not used for prescription purposes, however).
Benzodiazepines
Benzodiazepines are central nervous system depressants that are used to treat sleeplessness, anxiety, and seizures.
When used as prescribed, they are safe and effective. However, as benzodiazepines or benzos produce relaxing feelings, they can be highly appealing. Benzos like alprazolam (Xanax) and diazepam (Valium) are commonly misused for these reasons.
Heavy, prolonged use of benzos can lead to withdrawal symptoms, cognitive impairment, respiratory depression, and other health complications.
What Are the Consequences of Misusing Prescription Drugs?
Prescription medication misuse can seem pleasing or relaxing at first, but these effects soon pave the way for more dangerous and lasting consequences, such as:
- Persistent cravings and urges
- Irritability and anxiety
- Mood shifts
- Disturbed sleep patterns
- Liver damage
- Heart problems
- Weakened immune system
- Mental health complications
- Financial challenges and instability
- Overdose.
What Are the Signs That Prescription Drug Use Has Become Problematic?
Here are some signs that can tell you that prescription drug use has become a substance use disorder (addiction):
- Using prescription medications in other ways than prescribed – more heavily or frequently than prescribed, or using others’ prescriptions.
- Intense, persistent cravings and urges to use the prescription medication.
- Spending a lot of time obtaining, using, and recovering from prescription medication misuse.
- Being unable to manage education, career, family, and other obligations because of prescription medication use.
- Giving up other activities in favor of prescription medication use.
- Continuing to misuse prescription medication despite the ill effects on physical and mental health.
- Developing tolerance for the prescription medication, which means you will need more and more of the medication to experience the desired effect.
- Experiencing withdrawal symptoms in case of suddenly reducing or stopping prescription medication use.
What Are the Treatment Options for Prescription Drug Misuse?
Prescription drugs are meant to heal, but when they become problematic to the point that they impede your daily life and functioning, it can feel disheartening.
However, the encouraging news is that prescription drug misuse can be treated with:
- Supportive counseling
- Individual therapy
- Group therapy
- Family therapy
- Holistic healing methods like mindfulness and creative expression.
- Medication-assisted treatment (MAT) is used to reduce cravings, withdrawal symptoms, and prevent relapse.
- Aftercare – involving sober living, ongoing therapy/counseling, medication monitoring, relapse prevention, and peer support.
- Dual diagnosis – to treat co-occurring substance use and mental health conditions.
Preventive Measures and Safer Practices
When misused or mixed with other substances like alcohol, prescription drugs can become dangerous.
This is why you need to follow preventive measures and safer practices, such as:
- Follow your doctor’s prescription and instructions to a tee.
- If the medication or dosage is not working for you, contact your doctor. Do not make any decisions on your own.
- Be honest about your past or current substance use as well as your medical and mental health history.
- Regularly check in with your doctor.
- Explore safer alternatives to medication, like therapy, non-opioid pain relievers, and so on.
Stay Informed and Reach Out!
If you or a loved one is struggling with prescription drug misuse, learning to identify the addictive medications and other signs of addiction is the first step to recovery.
On the other hand, please remember you do not have to do this on your own. You can always reach out to Skyline Recovery Center. We offer personalized recovery options that are tailored to your condition, needs, and goals so that you can journey toward a healthier, sober tomorrow.
Give us a call at (424) 353-5206 to schedule a free, confidential consultation today!