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
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 |

