We all have our own unique experiences with prescription drugs. For most of us, they provide relief in times of need – such as injury or illness. In fact, there are more than 20,000 prescription drugs approved by the FDA, and roughly 66% of all American adults use prescription drugs. Because of the prevalence of prescription drugs in the U.S., recognizing the signs of prescription drug abuse can be life-saving.
While prescription drugs do a lot of medical good in the world today, they’re often misused and abused – more than 16 million Americans report misusing a prescription drug, and thousands of Americans die from prescription drug overdose every year.
If you or someone close to you is abusing prescription drugs, contact SEE Purpose today. SEE Purpose is a comprehensive detox center in Indianapolis.
Are Prescription Drugs Dangerous?
Prescription drugs can be highly addictive and extremely dangerous – significantly when misused (used without a medical need or prescription) and abused (used in excessive amounts or more often than directed). In these cases, developing an addiction is likely, and an overdose is possible.
Although the FDA approves prescription drugs, this is only when the drug is used in a controlled setting and under the supervision of a health professional. To ensure you’re being safe when taking prescription drugs, always follow the direct recommendations from your doctor.
Which Prescription Drugs Are Most Often Abused?
As we mentioned in the opening, over 20,000 prescription drugs are currently approved by the FDA – that’s a lot of prescription drugs. And while they each have their own use in the medical community, they can also each be abused and cause a lot of harm to an individual’s life.
Let’s take a brief look at some of the most commonly abused prescription drugs in the world today:
- Stimulants – some of the most popular examples of stimulants include amphetamines (Adderall, Dexedrine, Biphetamine) and methylphenidates (Ritalin, Concerta).
- Depressants – examples include Benzodiazepines (Ativan, Xanax, Valium), sleep medications (Ambien, Sonata, Lunesta), and Barbiturates (Amytal, Seconal, Nembutal).
- Opioids – some popular examples include codeine, morphine, methadone, fentanyl, analogs, oxycodone, oxymorphone, meperidine, propoxyphene, and hydrocodone.
According to the NIDA, more than five million American adults report misusing stimulants yearly, six million adults report misusing tranquilizers or sedatives, five million adults misusing benzodiazepines, and nine million adults report misusing pain relievers every year.
What Are the Signs of Prescription Drug Abuse?
Many abusers will do whatever it takes to hide their prescription drug use from those closest to them – family members, friends, and coworkers. And since many people don’t understand the many different signs of prescription drug abuse, their addiction can go unnoticed or undetected.
- Stealing prescription drugs from family members or friends
- Taking prescription drugs without a prescription or medical need
- Taking prescription drugs in highest amounts than needed
- Taking prescription drugs more often than intended, directed, or needed
- Stealing money to buy more prescription drugs; frequent financial issues
- Changes in the individual’s sleeping or eating patterns
- Poor decision-making or engaging in risky behaviors often
- Appearing sedated, ‘high,’ drowsy, energetic, or more alert than usual
- Frequent mood swings and constant hostility towards others
- Trying to get a prescription from multiple doctors to satisfy addiction
- Requesting a refill earlier than expected or asking for new prescriptions often
- Hiding their prescription drug use and being secretive about their use
If you notice any of these symptoms of addiction to prescription drugs in a loved one, don’t hesitate to seek help right away. Addiction can negatively impact an individual physically, mentally, emotionally, spiritually, behaviorally, and socially – meaning time is of the essence.
Finding Prescription Drug Rehab Centers in Indiana
Are you starting to notice prescription drug addiction symptoms in one of your loved ones? Are you struggling with symptoms of addiction to prescription drugs yourself? Is your prescription drug abuse starting to make it hard to live a happy, healthy, rewarding, and peaceful life?
If you answered ‘yes’ to any of those questions and are ready to begin the addiction recovery process in a controlled and structured environment, then you’ve come to the right place. At SEE Purpose Treatment, we take a human-based, customized approach to drug addiction treatment in Indiana.
Located in Indiana, we provide our patients with residential inpatient treatment for a variety of substance use disorders – including prescription drug abuse. We understand that recovery takes a village, and we ensure every patient has the support they need. Contact us today to learn more!
