Prescription Drug Addiction Treatment

There are three categories of prescription drugs which are most often abused:

• Opioids to treat pain.
• Stimulants to treat attention deficit disorders and narcolepsy.
• Depressants to help anxiety, stress, and sleep disorders.

#1 Opioids

Painkillers like opioids have been around for over 100 years. They’ve steadily risen from needed use to abuse and addiction. This is partially due to human longevity increasing, and with it, more patients with chronic or specific pain management needs. Additionally, people addicted to heroin or morphine may turn to forms of opioids in painkillers when they can’t get heroin or to complement their use. These often include:

• Vicodin
• Norco
• Methadone
• Percocet
• OxyContin
• Fentanyl

Vicodin and Norco

These prescription medications are designed specifically to treat moderate to severe pain. They contain hydrocodone and acetaminophen. Hydrocodone is classified as a narcotic while acetaminophen is a mild pain reliever (over-the-counter Tylenol.)

Vicodin and Norco are used for patients experiencing pain from medical issues, surgeries, and accidents. Vicodin and Norco are taken orally by prescription. To get high, abusers of these drugs crush the pills into a powder to snort it or create a mixture for intravenous drug use. This can lead to serious problems because the narcotics enter the brain at a much faster rate. Sometimes the users mix Vicodin or Norco with other prescriptions, which increases the risk for overdose and death. While not addictive, excess acetaminophen can cause severe liver damage, internal organ shut-down, and death.

OxyContin (Oxycodone)

Oxycodone is used medically to treat moderate to severe pain, such as cancer pain. It’s not mixed with acetaminophen like other painkillers and acts as a complete and pure narcotic. Drug seekers will abuse OxyContin by mixing the drug or using it purely by snorting it. Because of the 100% narcotic substance, OxyContin can quickly impact your brain chemistry.

Fentanyl

Fentanyl is the active ingredient in brand name painkillers such as Fentora, Duragesic, and Actiq. It’s typically prescribed by medical professionals when other narcotic painkillers are no longer effective. Fentanyl is given to patients with severe pain issues from conditions like cancer. They may have developed a tolerance to Vicodin or OxyContin.

Unlike the other painkillers, Fentanyl is transmitted into the body via a shot or patch. People sometimes abuse it by scraping the patch and injecting or swallowing the gel that’s inside. Needless to say, any transdermal medication which has a high narcotic level has severe consequences when abused. Though the medication has been around since the 1960’s, this synthetic opioid causes thousands of deaths in the US every year.

#2 Stimulants

Adderall

Adderall is a central nervous system stimulant used to treat attention deficit disorder, specifically with the subcategory of hyperactivity. The most active ingredient is amphetamine, commonly referred to as “speed.” It reacts on the brain as a cognitive enhancer and increases energy for people who don’t have ADHD, which is why some people take it for non-medical reasons.

Ritalin

Ritalin was at one time the only medication prescribed for young people who were “hyperactive.” It contains amphetamine and is orally ingested in tablet form. The effects of Ritalin are an intense focus and euphoria in high doses. Because of its properties, Ritalin has also been abused by people who want to lose weight where dieting has failed. Ritalin is often not seen as abuse but rather justified by the user, who sees it as a necessary component to get through a challenge.

#3 Depressants

Xanax

Xanax is prescribed for people who’ve been diagnosed with panic disorder. It’s a fast-acting, highly addictive medication which can relieve panic attacks. It can also send an individual with a substance use disorder into a fast state of chemical brain change. The active ingredient is alprazolam. Xanax is more potent than Valium, another popular benzodiazepine, or “benzo.” Some people may take too many benzos and mix it with other drugs or alcohol, putting them at high risk for overdose.

Valium

Valium is another fast-acting depressant that’s used to treat anxiety disorders. The active ingredient in this medication is diazepam, which is a benzo. Mixing valium with other substances such as stimulants, painkillers, and alcohol can lead to accidental overdose before you realize you’ve taken too much.

Lorazepam (Ativan)

Lorazepam may be prescribed for patients experiencing moderate to severe anxiety and have difficulty sleeping. Use should be closely monitored by medical staff. Somewhat controversial, some physicians don’t prescribe Ativan unless other medications don’t work. Ativan is a medication that has a high street value, making it a drug that is sold to buy other illicit drugs. Ativan on its own can be addictive as well.

Clonazepam (Klonopin)

Klonopin is a benzodiazepine medication prescribed for people with moderate to severe anxiety and prone to panic attacks. It’s also a fast-acting drug which produces chemical changes in a short time. Mixed with opioids, Klonopin has caused coma, respiratory ailments, hallucinations, rapid mood swings, and death.