Prescription drug abuse is what happens when individuals take prescribed medications for non-medical use to obtain recreational euphoria caused by mind-altering effects of the drug-- forming an eventual addiction, which often result in an overdose death.As such, it is imperative to provide documentation that demonstrates what this form of substance abuse looks like, in terms of its signs, symptoms, and treatment.
Prescription pills are federally scheduled and can only be obtained under strict protocol, which is why a physician has to authorize the use by signing what is called a 'prescription'.
Nevertheless, despite rigorous oversight of illegal medications, the potential for prescription medication abuse increases with each filled order--especially opiate pain relievers with origins similar to that of heroin.
Subsequently, The Center for Disease Control and Prevention classifies prescription pill abuse as a growing epidemic.
Statistics for Prescription Drug Abuse
According to drug abuse statistics, around fifty-two million U.S. citizens classify as having participated in prescription medication abuse. Among the statistics, a staggering number of young people abused pills in 2010, the number has almost tripled in five years.
One in twelve high school seniors reported non-medical use of Vicodin, a prescription pain reliever, and one in twenty reported abusing OxyCotin, a synthetic analgesic similar to Morphine in its effects. Consequently, it was discovered that Vicodin and OxyCotin were adolescent pills of choice--both of which are illegal.
Alarmingly, 13-14 is the average age for first-time users. In 2005, there were 22,400 drug overdose deaths in the U.S. and opioid painkillers were common in 38.2% of them.
Also, in the same year, 4.4 million teenagers, aged 12 to 17, in the U.S. admitted to taking prescription painkillers--2.3 million took Ritalin. Another 2.2 million adolescents abused over-the-counter cough syrup.
Drug abuse facts contend that 45% of users overdosed on depressants, opioids and antidepressants, which is more deaths than the 39% combined death rate of heroin, cocaine, methamphetamine and amphetamines. Moreover, in 2005, 598,542 of the 1.4 million drug-related emergency room admissions were associated with prescription pill abuse.
The painkiller Fentanyl--thirty to fifty times more powerful than heroin-- is responsible for over 1,000 deaths in 2007, according to the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA).
It is important to note that prescription drugs are poisons that are used as antidotes for what ails the human body. Prescribed amounts, taken as directed, accomplish the desired outcome.
When taken for recreation, small amounts of opioids speed up the nervous system--greater amounts slow them down--larger amounts are often lethal.
Commonly abused prescription drugs, side-effects, withdrawal symptoms and detox methods
Addictive prescription drugs come in the form of opiates, sedatives and stimulants, most of which are illegal to possess except by prescription for medicinal purposes. While most opiates are prescribed to reduce pain, others are used to induce sleep or as a cough suppressant.
Morphine and Codeine are natural opiates, as they are derived from the resin of the opium poppy plant. Oxymorphone, oxycodone, hydromorphone, hydrocodone and buprenorphine are semi-synthetic opiates and are created from natural opioids. However, Fentanyl, Tramadol, Norco, Lortab, Lorcet, Dilaudid and methadone are fully synthetic opiates.
Morphine is a fast-acting, highly potent opiate (narcotic) analgesic and the primary agent in opium, which acts directly on the nervous system to relieve severe chronic pain. The drug is reported to be the most powerful pain reliever medicine, of which the potential for dependency is extremely high, both physically and psychologically.
The DEA classifies Morphine as a Schedule II narcotic, and as a dangerous drug, in that it can slow or stop breathing. It is used to treat moderate to severe pain, and is habit-forming, even when taken in doses ordered by a physician.
Morphine is used to treat those with chronic pain conditions associated with cancer, kidney stones, surgical pain and trauma. Morphine also halts chronic diarrhea and suppresses coughs, by attaching itself to opioid receptors in the brain, spinal cord and gastrointestinal tract.
Recreational users take Morphine because they want the relaxation, sedation and euphoric state it produces. The drug was first isolated in Germany in 1804 by a pharmacist who named it “morphium” after Morpheus, the Greed god of dreams.
Morphine addicts are often compared to heroin addicts. In fact, heroin was synthesized from Morphine in 1874.
Side effects include itching, rash, hives, reduced sex drive, drowsiness, constipation, lightheadedness, euphoria, difficulty breathing, dry mouth, weakness, fatigue, respiratory depression, decreased appetite and interference with women’s menstrual cycles.
Reported withdrawal symptoms are nausea, vomiting, sweating, yawning, chills, watery eyes, insomnia, runny nose, strong craving for the drug, headaches, irritability, body aches, tremors, hot flashes, elevated heart rate and blood pressure, as well as bone and muscle pain.
Medically supervised detox is usually necessary to wean users from Morphine and other opiates, including Vcodin, Percocet, Fentanyl, and heroin.
Codeine (DihydroCodeine) is a semi-synthetic opioid, as well as a Schedule II narcotic that serves as a painkiller-but it also treats other infirmities such as shortness of breath, cough suppressant, post-operative pain relief and sleep inducer. It is highly addictive and illegal except by prescription.
Researchers in Germany developed Codeine in the early 1900s while seeking effective cough suppressants to stop the spread of pneumonia, tuberculosis and pertussis.
As with other drugs, the user can have an allergic reaction to Codeine or a food and drug interaction, which is a possibility with any pharmaceutical. And like all other opiates, prolonged use causes addiction.
Vicodin is the trademark name for the pain-relieving drug, which is a combination of Hydrocodone and Acetaminophen and a highly addictive Schedule III drug.
Consequently, Hydrocodone is a narcotic pain reliever that gets its boost from Acetaminophen. Though Vicodin is normally prescribed for moderate to severe pain, its antitussive properties also help to suppress chronic coughs.
The most commonly reported side effects of Vicodin include dry mouth, upset stomach, nausea, constipation and dizziness, however, the less common effects include: allergic reaction clammy skin,seizures, extreme weakness, unconsciousness, jaundice, bleeding, bruising, decreased appetite, hot flashes, rash, itching, swelling, hearing loss, decreased sex drive and hearing loss.
Recreational users are drawn to the way in which the Hydrocodone in Vicodin depresses the nervous system. Drowsiness, extreme relaxation and euphoria are other attractions some users perfer.
Nonetheless, recreational users who take more than four grams of acetaminophen in a day can cause severe liver damage or failure.
Vicodin is effective in treating pain when taken as prescribed. However, with prolonged use, patients develop a tolerance, requiring them to take more and more to get relief. This is the initial stages of addiction.
A strong craving for the drug is a definite sign of addiction. And once addicted, withdrawal symptoms often include: vomiting, diarrhea, insomnia, restlessness, involuntary leg movements, other flu-like symptoms, muscle and bone pain.
In or outpatient treatment options are available which include rehabilitation, hospital-based detoxification and rapid drug detox.
OxyContin, whose generic name is oxycodone, is a narcotic pain reliever that is labeled a Schedule II controlled substance.
Since its release in the U.S. in 1996, it has been sold and traded on the street under the name “hillbilly heroin” and is one of the most highly abused prescription drugs.
Similar to Morphine, OxyContin is strong enough to have a sustained-release of eight to twelve hours.
Patients taking OxyContin may experience impaired thinking or slow reactions, as well as: constipation, fatigue, dizziness, nausea, lightheadedness, headache, dry mouth, loss of appetite, nervousness, anxiety, abdominal pain, diarrhea and hiccups.
When patients abruptly stop taking OxyContin, they often experience strong withdrawal symptoms and have painful side effects.
As this is a highly and widely abused prescription drug, and since OxyContin is difficult to stop--even under a doctor’s supervision, detox should be medically supervised as an in-patient.
Withdrawal symptoms include intense anxiety, nausea, insomnia, fever, muscle pain and flu-like symptoms, some of which are severe.
Fentanyl (Duragesic®, E-TRANS® Fentanyl) is stronger than Morphine, a powerful synthetic opioid that is used to treat severe to chronic pain, and for patients who have a physical tolerance to opiates.
Introduced in the 1960s as an intravenous anesthetic under the trade name Sublimaze, Fentanyl is one of the most potent opioid analgesics, a Schedule II controlled substance that comes in the form of a patch, a lollypop and the conventional pill.
Respiratory deaths are linked to Fentanyl use, which prompted the FDA to recommend it only for those with a high tolerance for opioids, otherwise accidental death is predictable.
Per FDA warnings, the transdermal patch is only intended for patients who are opioid-tolerant and need around-the-clock narcotic pain medicine, such as cancer patients.
To access the Fentanyl inside the patch, addicts cut it in two to access the gel inside, which can be smoked. This is because the biological effects of Fentanyl are similar to that of heroin, however, Fentanyl is stronger and more powerful. Most Fentanyl overdoses are from a mix with heroin or cocaine.
Common side effects of Fentanyl are: diarrhea, nausea, constipation, dry mouth, confusion, sweating, abdominal pain, headache, fatigue, weight loss, dizziness, hallucinations, anxiety, depression and sometimes extreme flu-like symptoms.
Fentanyl detox is the most intense of all opioids, deeming inpatient treatment the safest and doctor-preferred method for detox. Detox symptoms include: extreme cravings, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, sweating, runny nose, yawning, restlessness, cramps, chills, weakness, muscle pain, agitation and irritability.
Because Fentanyl is so powerful, psychological withdrawal symptoms will likely be present in the form of depression, anxiety, insomnia and social isolation.
Opioids are not the only prescription drugs that are addictive. Some patients become addicted to sedatives and other stimulants that are prescribed for various ailments. There are different classes of sedatives, namely Barbiturates, Benzodiazepines, Nonbenzodiazepines and Antihistamines--all of which can be addictive.
Aside from alcohol being abused for its slow-down effect, sedatives are normally abused by those who want to achieve an overly-calm effect.
Unlike pain-relievers, sedatives are not pain-directed, but are primarily administered along with analgesics in preparation for surgery, often given before anesthesia.
Doctors customarily prescribe sedatives to reduce anxiety and excitement in patients with pending medical procedures such as a colonoscopy or a cardiac catheterization.
Taken for recreation, in high quantities, sedatives can induce coma and death. It should also be noted that the patient can become addicted when taking sedatives, or any medication for long periods of time.
Some common barbiturates are Amobartital (Amytal), Pentobarbital (Nembutal), Seconbarbital (Seconal) and Phenobarbital (Luminal). Barbiturates are also into the veins or muscles; however, the most common means of ingestion is the pill form--some effects lasting up to two days.
The early 1900s is when barbiturates were first used in medicine, and in the 1960s and 1970s they were used as a treatment for insomnia, seizure disorders and anxiety.
Barbiturate abuse declined among adults in the 1970s, as doctors began prescribing safer sedative-hypnotics in the form of benzodiazepine.
Though the barbiturates are prescribed less, young people manage to become the main abusers of barbiturates today, and many of them use the drug in suicide attempts.
The list of benzodiazepine includes: clonazepam (Klonopin in North America, Rivotril in Europe and Asia), diazepam (Valium), estazolam (Prosom), flunitrazepam (Rohypnol), lorazepam (Ativan), Midazolam (Versed), nitrazepam (Mogadon), oxazepam (Serax) triazolam (Halcion), temazepam (Restoril, Normison, Planum, Tenox and Temaze), chlordiazepoxide (Librium), alprazolam (Xanax).
Antihistamines reduce or block histamine chemicals that form when the body comes into contact with allergy triggers i.e. dust mites, pet dander, pollen--causing swelling of nose tissue, which results in stuffy nose and watery eyes. Itchy rashes are also allergy symptoms. Though antihistamines work well against some allergies, including food allergies, not all symptoms are relieved. This causes the patient to seek out other prescription drugs to find relief.
Antihistamines are available in eye drops, tablets, capsules, liquids and nasal sprays, some of which are available only by prescription--others are bought over the counter.
Prescription antihistamines are: Astelin, Astepro (azelastine) nasal spray, Atarax, Vistaril (hydroxyzine), Clarinex (desloratadine), Cyproheptadine (generic only), Emadine (emadastine) eye drops, Livostin (levocabastine) eye drops, Optivar (azelastine) eye drops, Palgic (carbinoxamine), Xyzal (levocetirizine)
Over-the-counter antihistamines are: Allegra (fexofenadine), Benadryl (diphenhydramine), Dimetane (brompheniramine), Claritin, Alavert (loratadine), Tavist (clemastine), Chlor-Trimeton (chlorpheniramine), Zyrtec (certirizine). This is not the complete list of sedatives, however, the sedatives listed here provide an awareness of this group of prescription drugs.
Stimulants, literal in its name, are psychotic drugs that temporarily increase energy, alertness and attention, while also elevating blood pressure, heart rate and respiration. Stimulants customarily served as treatment for neurological disorders, obesity, asthma and other respiratory ailments.
However, the medical use of certain stimulants decreased as evidence of abuse surfaced. Currently, ADHD and depression are of the few instances where doctors prescribe stimulants for treatment.
Dextroamphetamine (Dexedrine and Adderall) and methylphenidate (Ritalin and Concerta) are stimulants that behave in the brain similar to key brain neurotransmitters called monoamines, which include norepinephrine and dopamine, chemicals of which stimulants enhance the effects.
Taken non-medically, the associated increase of dopamine can induce feelings of euphoria, which is what a prescription drug abuser wants. Their intended use in asthma patients, however, is to open breathing passages. Stimulants also constrict blood vessels and increase blood glucose.
Stimulant abusers suffer from withdrawal symptoms such as fatigue, depression and irregular sleep patterns. In instances of repeated stimulant abuse, withdrawal includes feelings of paranoia, hostility and psychosis.
The danger of taking high doses of an un-prescribed stimulant can result in a dangerously high body temperature and an irregular heartbeat. Cardiovascular failure and seizures are also a reported finding.
Chemicals, substances and drugs used to formulate prescription drugs fit into five distinct schedules (or categories) depending on the drug's permissible medical use, as well as the dependency potential of said drug. In other words, the abuse potential--and sometimes the abuse rate--determines a drug's scheduling.
Considered the most dangerous class are Schedule I drugs because they have a high potential for abuse, and because of their potentially severe psychological and or physical dependence. Consequently, even if a drug does not qualify as Schedule I, criminal prosecution can still ensue.
Scheduling of drugs, chemicals and substances
Schedule I substances, drugs or chemicals have no acceptable medicinal use and a high potential for abuse. Although cannabis or marijuana is legal for medicinal purposes in some U.S. states and for recreational use in others, it is still largely illegal.
Those caught with it, under illegal circumstances, are prosecuted. Schedule I drugs, perhaps, are the most lethal. They include: heroin, lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD), marijuana (cannabis), 3, 4-methylenedioxymethamphetaamine (ecstasy), methaqualone and peyote.
Schedule II Carrying less of an abuse potential than Schedule I drugs, Schedule II substances still have a high abuse potential and are considered dangerous with prolonged medical or non-medical use.
Some examples of Schedule II drugs are: combination pharmaceuticals with less than 15 milligrams of hydrocodone per dosage (Vicodin), cocaine, methamphetamine, methadone, hydromorphone (Dilaudid), meperidine (Demerol), oxycodone (OxyContin), Fentanyl, Dexedrine, Adderall and Ritalin.
Schedule III drugs are those with moderate to low potential for abuse. Some examples of Schedule III substances are: medicines containing less than 90 milligrams of codeine per dose (Tylenol with codeine), ketamine, anabolic steroids and testosterone.
Schedule IV drugs are defined as low risk of dependence. They are: Xanax, Soma, Darvon, Darvocet, Valium, Ativan, Talwin, Ambien and Tramadol
Schedule V substances have the lowest potential for abuse than all other classifications. Physicians generally prescribe Schedule V drugs for antidiarrheal, analgesic and antitussive purposes. Some examples of Schedule V drugs are: cough preparations, primarily with less than 200 milligrams of codeine or per 100 milliliters (Robitussin AC), Lomitol, Motofen, Lyrica and Parepectolin.
In summary, the term ‘narcotic’ technically describes analgesic painkillers, however, the term refers to illegal drugs in many commonwealths, whereas, many states describe both prescription and illicit drugs as narcotics.
Despite the terminology, drugs require legal prescriptions because they are considered ‘controlled’ substances. In contrast, over-the-counter drugs are not controlled, and do not require a prescription because they do not possess the addiction-level potency that poses a threat.
All prescription drugs, regardless of the Schedule or classification, are poisons used in combination form to counteract ailments or viruses in the body. When used to obtain artificial psychological changes--called euphoria, this is addictive behavior and can lead to death.
Researched and compiled by the blog author.
Copyright © 2015 by Peggy Hatchet James
No comments:
Post a Comment