– How dangerous are the drugs your doctors prescribed?
– Have you ever wondered?
Most of us visit a doctor, receive the diagnosis, follow with the treatment, fill in all the medical prescriptions and get better.
That’s it!
We never spare a moment to think about the prescribed drugs our doctors have given. Worse, we never go through the contents we are consuming.
You would be surprised to know that some of the drugs you are using might have Heroin or Cocaine.
Legally Dead is a new term used to refer to people on medicine to sustain their lives. Almost 34% of America take at least one prescribed medicine every day for their health problems.
Today, we will talk about a few medicines prescribed by doctors that have addictive properties.
Why Do Doctors Prescribe Medicine That Are Addictive?
If the doctors know the medicine has addictive properties, why do they prescribe it?
The answer is simple!
Some of the most misused medicines hold the right properties to treat different medical conditions. So, it is not because they want you to get addicted; they are simply doing their job to treat your health issues.
Take opioids, for example, they are one of the most misused prescribed medicines out there, but they are still prescribed to patients. It is because of their effectiveness against pain.
Certain depressants might stimulate your nervous system but are highly effective against anxiety and insomnia.
Prescribing medicine that can be misused can be a tricky business; the professionals need to find the right balance between the dose, which treats the problem and avoids patients getting dependent on it.
However, even if people do get addicted to the prescribed medicine, you can always treat them towards recovery – here’s a great place to get started.
Most Addictive Prescription Drug In The World
Now that we have discussed the prescribed medication and why medical professionals are still prescribing them to the patients, it is time to know a few names.
Barbiturates
Barbiturates are the class of medicine that was used on a large scale at one point in time. Although their prescriptions have dropped in recent years, a few medical professionals are still prescribing them.
Barbiturates are central nervous system depressants and are most prescribed for sleep disorders or seizures. Although they are quite effective at what they are meant to do, they are not the first choice anymore. Experts believe that the risk of using it is much higher than treating the illness.
The barbiturates used in treating seizures and sleep disorder is:
1. Phenobarbital.
2. Butalbital.
Speak with your pharmacist if you are unsure about you taking the Barbiturates.
Benzodiazepines
Benzodiazepines belong to the largest group of prescribed medicines that directly affect CNS depressants. Benzodiazepines act on the gamma-aminobutyric receptors in the brain. As a result, they affect the brain and slow down its activity. This makes us feel calmer and sleepy.
Because of its effectiveness with the brain, Benzodiazepines are used to treat mental health issues like depression, anxiety, and sleeping disorders.
Besides being effective in treating these mental health conditions, Benzodiazepines have a bad reputation of being addictive. If it stops suddenly, it can lead to severe withdrawal symptoms.
According to experts, they have high physical dependency when the body is exposed to this prescribed medicine over a prolonged time.
Some of the most common Benzodiazepine medicine that is commonly prescribed:
3. Alprazolam.
4. Diazepam.
5. Clonazepam.
Opioids
Opioids are the most commonly prescribed drug to treat any pain. When a person takes an opioid, it stimulates the brain’s opioid receptors. These receptors numb the nerve cells, lowering the amount of pain you feel.
Unfortunately, opioids do affect not only your nervous system but also rewire your brain’s reward system. This means that when some people take opioids, they experience Euphoria.
When a medication lets you experience Euphoria, it signals the rewards system to take it again and again.
Because opioids can affect the brain’s reward system, it carries the risk of dependence. So, it is important to ensure even if you are taking any opioids, take them for the least amount of time.
Here are some commonly prescribed opioids are:
6. Codeine.
7. Oxycodone.
8. Fentanyl.
Be sure to review the prescription from the pharmacist to know which medicine has opioids.
Stimulants
Stimulants are known for increasing your alertness, attention, and energy. Stimulants can achieve this by raising the level of certain brain chemicals.
Stimulants are mostly used to treat Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). However, with controlled dosages, it can also be used to treat severe depression.
Because of the activation of dopamine in brain cells, stimulants can be addictive. As we know, dopamine is related to feel-good hormones, and hence, prolonged exposure to dopamine can rewire the brain’s reward system.
That being said, some medicines that are used to treat ADHD and depression hold the risk of dependence.
The prescribed medicine that can be habit-forming are:
9. Methylphenidates.
10. Amphetamines.
There are different variations and brands in this class. Ask the doctor or the pharmacist to confirm whether or not the medicine you are taking is a stimulant.
Spotting Prescribed Drug Abuse
It is difficult to tell whether you are growing addicted to a prescription.
The easy way to know whether your dependency on the prescribed medicine has grown is by tracking your behavior.
If you are taking medicine ever after your doctor’s assurance that you do not, you might be suffering from prescribed drug addiction.
Prescribed Drug Addiction Treatment
Recovery from the prescribed drug addiction needs a change of behavior and commitment to live without them.
If you or your loved ones are misung prescribed medicine, it is important that you seek help. There are many resources like –
- National Institute Of Drug Abuse.
- Opioid Treatment Programs.
- Behavioral Health Service Providers.
– Are available to help you out.
Throughout the year, our writers feature fresh, in-depth, and relevant information for our audience of 40,000+ healthcare leaders and professionals. As a healthcare business publication, we cover and cherish our relationship with the entire health care industry including administrators, nurses, physicians, physical therapists, pharmacists, and more. We cover a broad spectrum from hospitals to medical offices to outpatient services to eye surgery centers to university settings. We focus on rehabilitation, nursing homes, home care, hospice as well as men’s health, women’s heath, and pediatrics.