Prescription Drugs

Prescription Drug Addiction

Prescription drugs are approved medications used to treat illnesses, diseases, and an array of medical conditions, including addiction and anxiety disorders. Even when prescribed, they can cause physical changes that lead to addiction. When they’re used outside the specific directions of the doctor, for example, the likelihood of becoming chemically dependent on these prescription drugs drastically increases. Some prescription drugs that are particularly hazardous in terms of addiction include:

  • Opioids, used to treat pain, such as oxycodone (Oxycontin, Roxicodone) and those containing hydrocodone (Vicodin, Lortab, Norco),
  • Anti-anxiety medications and sedatives ,used to treat anxiety and sleep disorders, such as alprazolam (Xanax) and diazepam (Valium), and hypnotics, such as zolpidem (Ambien),
  • Stimulants, used to treat attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and certain sleep disorder, such as methylphenidate (Ritalin, Concerta, others), dextroamphetamine and amphetamine (Adderall XR) and dextroamphetamine (Dexedrine)

When to see a professional at ARC:

If you identify with any of these symptoms below regarding the use of your prescriptions – it’s important to react before the problem becomes more serious.

  • Increase or decrease in sleep
  • Poor decision-making
  • Appearing to be high, unusually energetic or revved up, or sedated
  • Continually “losing” prescriptions, so more prescriptions must be written
  • Stealing, forging or selling prescriptions
  • Seeking prescriptions from more than one doctor
  • Taking higher doses than prescribed
  • Excessive mood swings or hostility

 

Signs and symptoms of prescription drug abuse
Opioid painkillers Sedatives and anti-anxiety medications Stimulants
Constipation Drowsiness Reduced appetite
Nausea Confusion Agitation
Feeling high (euphoria) Unsteady walking High body temperature
Slowed breathing rate Slurred speech Insomnia
Drowsiness Poor concentration High blood pressure
Confusion Dizziness Irregular heartbeat
Poor coordination Problems with memory Anxiety
Increased pain with higher doses Slowed breathing Paranoia
arizona outpatient treatment- Prescription Medicine
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