Numerous medical conditions require prescription drugs. Unfortunately, many medications can lead to undesirable tolerance and dependence, which then leads to drug addiction.
Despite the numerous guidelines and attempts to resolve this issue, prescription drug abuse is on the rise. Healthcare providers are constantly discovering that previously safe drugs have a high abuse potential, as well as the complex predisposing factors to substance abuse disorders.
Keep reading to understand why prescription drug abuse is on the rise and learn the most common drugs that might lead to tolerance and misuse.
What Is Prescription Drug Abuse?
Prescription drug abuse is any use of prescription medication in any way other than the intended use. This can be simply taking larger doses of prescribed medications or taking inappropriate drugs in order to feel the “euphoric” side effects.
In some cases, people struggling with prescription drug addiction might find illicit methods to obtain drugs. This includes faking symptoms to obtain a prescription or befriending a person taking prescription drugs.
Luckily, this condition is manageable with the help of addiction treatment programs. The treatment usually consists of the following steps:
- Assessment of addiction
- Detoxification
- Rehabilitation
- Behavioral Therapy
- Medication-Assisted Treatment
- Lifestyle Modifications
Why Is Prescription Drug Abuse on the Rise?
Prescription drug misuse is becoming more prevalent due to the following reasons:
Availability
Nowadays, physicians rely on prescription medication for the management of many conditions which you’d otherwise need to be hospitalized for.
This reduces the cost of treatment and increases patients’ comfort. However, it also means prescription drugs are widely available.
In turn, if these drugs fall into the wrong hands, they might easily get “hooked.” Additionally, people can now buy prescription medication from illicit sellers and dealers, without the need for a prescription.
As if that wasn’t enough. Numerous people with addiction combine their prescription medication with Over-The-Counter drugs to bring about a synergistic effect or even mimic the action of the prescribed medication. This significantly increases the risk of psychological dependence and addiction.
Inappropriate Prescription Practices
Prescription medication should be a last resort. Unfortunately, many healthcare providers prescribe drugs liberally to alleviate the discomfort of their patients.
Patients with a history of addiction must be treated differently than regular patients. Physicians must limit their access to prescription medication, as well as educate their family members about the side effects and abuse potential.
What’s more, healthcare providers must consistently follow up with patients taking prescription medications. The goal isn’t just to ensure the efficacy of the treatment. Instead, the physician must validate the appropriate use of the prescription and monitor any side effects or signs of misuse.
Furthermore, patients must understand the withdrawal symptoms of prescription medications. Physicians must help them taper the dose, as this greatly helps reduce dependence.
There are new prescription guidelines to decrease medication misuse. Still, healthcare providers must keep in mind that even safe drugs with no notable side effects can become addictive in certain populations.
Lack of Awareness
Abuse of prescription drugs is commonly due to a lack of awareness. People who get prescribed medication often don’t realize how serious the physical and psychological dependence can get.
Accordingly, they might misuse the drugs by taking larger doses than intended or taking the drug for a longer time.
Unfortunately, many people also get prescription drugs for nonmedical use, as they’ve become widely normalized. In this case, people with addiction believe prescription drugs are a safer alternative to harmful substances.
Predisposing Factors to Prescription Drug Abuse
Prescription drug use doesn’t always lead to addiction. Yet, some people might have risk factors causing them to rely on these medications. These factors include the following:
Frequent Use of Prescription Drugs
The first risk factor for developing a prescription drug misuse problem is long treatment plans. Additionally, people who frequently take prescription drugs for nonmedical reasons are more likely to develop a substance abuse issue.
That’s because the withdrawal symptoms and cravings will be much trickier to manage. The psychological dependence might also be too uncomfortable to bear without therapy or medication-assisted treatment.
In severe cases, long use of prescription medication might lead to irreversible brain damage, where neurological receptors are permanently destroyed.
Peer Pressure
The prevalence of prescription medication abuse is relatively high among adolescents and young adults. Many teenagers are prescribed ADHD medications such as Adderall, or anxiolytics like Xanax.
Accordingly, many prescription medications are easy to get by among this age group. Paired with the risk-taking tendency among teenagers and the need to fit in, many decide to try these drugs without sufficient knowledge of the side effects.
That’s not all. The glamorous portrayal of drug use in media is highly influential, leading to teenagers completely misunderstanding the risks of drug use.
Preexisting Mental Health Conditions
Preexisting mental health problems are a common risk factor for substance use disorders. In particular, individuals with undiagnosed mental illnesses are more likely to misuse prescription medication to self-soothe.
Moreover, many people with mental health conditions already take prescription medications to manage their symptoms. So, it’s increasingly difficult to prevent drug abuse in these populations without continuous monitoring and the involvement of the patient’s family and loved ones.
History of Substance Abuse
Addiction treatment is a lifelong journey. Even after successfully undergoing a detox from one substance, people with addiction can easily become reliant on another drug.
That’s why people with substance use disorders must be incredibly vigilant when getting prescription medications. Not only should they inform their physician of their condition, but they must also minimize any medications they take.
Commonly Abused Prescription Drugs
Opioids
70% of prescription drug misuse is due to prescription painkillers. Typically, physicians prescribe opioids to treat chronic pain or following surgery or injury.
Then, if patients aren’t properly weaned off the drugs, the pain of withdrawal is often unmanageable, leading to them continuing the opioid use for longer periods than intended.
Over time, the pain relievers become less effective as the body gets used to them. In turn, this leads to patients increasing the dose without consulting their healthcare provider.
Some individuals can even become dependent on prescription medications used to manage other addictions.
These are prescription opioid analogs that mimic the effect of the misused drugs but can also cause tolerance and dependence if taken without monitoring. Examples include methadone, buprenorphine, and naltrexone.
Stimulants
Stimulants are drugs that impact the central nervous system, improving the mood by stimulating serotonin and dopamine receptors. Accordingly, they have a high abuse potential.
Common prescription stimulants include Adderall, Ritalin, and Concerta. In 2019, up to 45% of young adults reported stimulant abuse.
CNS Depressants
Prescribing CNS depressants is common in the management of anxiety and sleep disorders. These substances are highly effective, leading to quick tolerance.
Accordingly, people with prescription substance addiction often increase the dose of the sedatives to get the same therapeutic effects. This can result in an overdose if uncontrolled.
That said, people who struggle with CNS depressant addiction shouldn’t quit on their own, as the withdrawal effects are severe and life-threatening in some cases. Instead, they should consult treatment centers to detox safely.
To Conclude
Why is prescription drug abuse on the rise?
These days, getting your hands on illicit substances is easier than you might imagine, including prescription drugs!
Not only do physicians prescribe medications liberally without adequately checking patient’s history and addiction risk, but adolescents can purchase these substances almost anywhere, including online pharmacies.
The longer the duration of prescription drug use, the higher the potential for abuse. That’s why healthcare providers must properly educate patients on withdrawal symptoms and abuse potential, as well as follow up with all patients and taper their prescriptions accordingly.
If you or a loved one is struggling with prescription drug abuse, don’t hesitate to ask for help to make detoxing as comfortable as possible. Reach out to us at Recreate Behavioral Health Network to find your customized, judgment-free, approach.
