{"id":35729,"date":"2021-03-16T07:50:43","date_gmt":"2021-03-16T15:50:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/coastlinerehabcenters.com\/?p=35729"},"modified":"2021-03-16T07:50:43","modified_gmt":"2021-03-16T15:50:43","slug":"the-most-addictive-prescription-drugs","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/coastlinerehabcenters.com\/addiction\/the-most-addictive-prescription-drugs","title":{"rendered":"The Most Addictive Prescription Drugs"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Prescription drugs are drugs that you should strictly use according to the doctor\u2019s instructions. However, there is a huge misconception that prescription drugs are not harmful. Therefore, people will use prescription medication contrary to the doctor\u2019s instructions. <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.samhsa.gov\/data\/report\/2017-nsduh-detailed-tables\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A 2017 study<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> shows that over 18 million Americans abused prescription medicines in the past year.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">There are three main classes of the <strong>most addictive prescription drugs<\/strong>. Each of these classes has some similarities. The most addictive prescription drug groups include:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Opioids. They attach to the same brain receptors as heroin. They cause effects like constipation, nausea, drowsiness, and slowed breathing. Examples include oxycodone, codeine, fentanyl, and Demerol.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Stimulants. These are medicines that stimulate your central nervous system. They have effects similar to cocaine. Some of their effects include high body temperature, paranoia, and an irregular heartbeat. Examples of stimulants include Amphetamine (Adderall) and methylphenidate (Ritalin)<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Depressants. Chronic use can cause fatigue, disorientation, shallow breathing, and lack of coordination. Examples of depressants include Xanax, Klonopin, and Valium.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Addiction is a disease, and it would be best to get professional medical attention to overcome addiction to illegal and prescription drugs. If abuse and minor addiction are left untreated, it can lead to <a href=\"https:\/\/coastlinerehabcenters.com\/addicted-to-drugs\/\">severe addiction<\/a>, overdose, fatalities, or other consequences.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Let\u2019s take a look at the <strong>most addictive prescription drugs<\/strong> in detail.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>1. <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">Opioids<\/span><\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Opioids are medications that doctors prescribe for pain. Opioids have a high risk of abuse and addiction. Moreover, they are dangerous and have lead to many overdose fatalities.\u00a0 In 2010 alone,<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cdc.gov\/drugoverdose\/pdf\/hhs_prescription_drug_abuse_report_09.2013.pdf\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> 60% of drug overdose deaths<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> were associated with prescription opioids. Some of the symptoms of prescription opioid abuse include:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Drowsiness<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Nausea<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Dizziness<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Confusion<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Euphoria<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Lethargy<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Change in personality or behavior<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Difficulty breathing<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Seizures<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Headaches<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Some of the most commonly abused prescription opioids include:<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>Fentanyl<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Fentanyl is a useful yet dangerous synthetic opioid. Doctors usually prescribe it for chronic pain, especially for cancer patients. Fentanyl gives the user euphoria and relaxed feelings. The <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cdc.gov\/drugoverdose\/opioids\/fentanyl.html\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> suggests that it is 50 to 100 times more potent than morphine as a painkiller.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">However, its traits make people use it and manufacture it for recreational purposes. Some manufacturers mix fentanyl with cocaine, heroin, or both. According to a <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cdc.gov\/media\/releases\/2017\/s1027-fentanyl-deaths.html\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">2017 report from the CDC,<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> fentanyl was responsible for more than 50% of opioid overdose deaths in 10 states.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>Oxycodone (OxyContin)<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Oxycodone is a painkiller that also gives you euphoria and a sedating effect. These effects are similar to heroin\u2019s effects. Oxycodone is commonly available under the brand Oxycontin. Some manufacturers mix it with acetaminophen to form a product with the brand name Percocet. <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/33245509\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Research <\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">shows that oxycodone is a major contributor to the opioid crisis because there was an increase of almost 900% in oxycontin sales between 1997 and 2007.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>Codeine<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Doctors usually prescribe codeine for mild and moderate pain. Codeine also features alongside other medications to treat cold and flu symptoms. A common mix that contains codeine is cough syrup. High quantities of cough syrup with codeine can cause a sedative effect and altered levels of consciousness.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Moreover, people add soda or candy to cough syrup with codeine to form an illicit concoction known as \u2018lean,\u2019 \u2018purple drank,\u2019 or \u2018sizzurp.\u2019\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong><br \/>\n<b><\/b><\/strong><\/p>\n<h3><b>Meperidine (Demerol)<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Meperidine is a synthetic opioid that doctors prescribe for moderate to severe pain. It is commonly available under the brand name Demerol. Meperidine usually causes euphoria, just like other opioids.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2><b>2. <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">Stimulants<\/span><\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Stimulants are prescription medications that increase your brain activity, energy levels, and alertness. Some common signs of abuse of stimulants include:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Euphoria<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Hallucinations<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Paranoia<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Weight loss<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Reduced appetite<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Hostility or aggressiveness<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Nausea<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Changes in vision<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Dilated pupils<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Headache<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Changes in behavior or personality<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Some commonly abused stimulants include:<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>Methylphenidate (Ritalin)<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Methylphenidate is a stimulant doctors prescribe for ADHD and narcolepsy. It helps with attention by increasing the levels of dopamine in your brain. Methylphenidate is commonly available under the brand name Ritalin. A <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.deadiversion.usdoj.gov\/drug_chem_info\/methylphenidate.pdf\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">report by the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA)<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> shows that doctors gave about 20 million methylphenidate prescriptions between 2016 and 2017. Ritalin and other stimulants are commonly abused because of their availability. You may experience effects like trouble sleeping and agitation if you misuse methylphenidate.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>Amphetamine (Adderall)<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/coastlinerehabcenters.com\/substance-abuse-treatment\/amphetamine-addiction\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Amphetamine<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> is also known as speed. Doctors also prescribe it for ADHD and narcolepsy. People abuse amphetamine for its energizing effects. It can mix with dextroamphetamine to form a product known ad Adderall. Most people who use it have sleep deprivation. Examples include college students working on deadlines, shift workers, and drivers.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Misuse of amphetamine has the following symptoms on top of the common signs of stimulant misuse:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Rapid breathing<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Increased body temperature<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Increased alertness and energy<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Increased blood pressure<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong><br \/>\n<b><\/b><\/strong><\/p>\n<h2><b>3. <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">Depressants<\/span><\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Depressants or central nervous system (CNS) depressants are medications that have a calming effect on users. They are also known as tranquilizers. Some symptoms of depressants misuse include:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Confusion<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Lethargy<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Dizziness<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Memory problems<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Nausea<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Vomiting<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Irritability<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Drowsiness<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Confusion<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Changes in behavior or personality<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">CNS depressants can be categorized into benzodiazepines and barbiturates. Some of the most abused prescription depressants include:\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>Alprazolam (Xanax)\u00a0<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Alprazolam is a benzodiazepine usually available under the Xanax brand. It helps with panic disorders and anxiety. People mainly abuse alprazolam because of its sedating effects. Additional signs of alprazolam misuse include tremors, trouble sleeping, and swelling of the hands or feet. <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.drugabuse.gov\/drug-topics\/trends-statistics\/overdose-death-rates\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Studies <\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">suggest that benzodiazepines have a high overdose risk, especially when mixed with opioids. There was a four times increase in overdose cases between 2002 and 2015.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>Clonazepam (Klonopin) and Diazepam (Valium)<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Diazepam and clonazepam are benzodiazepines doctors prescribe for seizures, panic disorders, and anxiety. They are usually on sale under the brand names Valium and Klonopin, respectively. They are also known to have effects similar to alcohol. People experience feelings of relaxation, drunkenness, and talkativeness.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong><\/p>\n<p><\/strong><\/p>\n<h2><b>Conclusion<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Prescription drugs are medications that you should take only under the doctor\u2019s instructions. Many people believe they are harmless, which exposes them to great risk. You can easily get addicted, especially prescription opioids, build a tolerance for drugs, and overdose. Prescription drugs can also be addictive, and you need to <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/coastlinerehabcenters.com\/how-to-choose-the-best-drug-rehab\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">get the best addiction help <\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">if you feel you are becoming overly dependent on prescription drugs. Some of the most addictive prescription drugs include opioids like codeine, stimulants like amphetamine, and depressants like alprazolam.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You can get help for any addiction, including addiction to prescription drugs, at <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Coastline Behavioral Health<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> in Orange County, CA. We offer various <a href=\"https:\/\/coastlinerehabcenters.com\/substance-abuse-treatment\" rel=\"\">drug treatment programs<\/a><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0to help overcome various forms of addiction. They include detox, inpatient rehab, <a href=\"https:\/\/coastlinerehabcenters.com\/\">intensive outpatient rehab<\/a>, outpatient rehab, executive rehab, and luxury rehab. Call us today at (741)841-2260 to get addiction treatment for you or a loved one. <\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Prescription drugs are drugs that you should strictly use according to the doctor\u2019s instructions. However, there is a huge misconception that prescription drugs are not harmful. Therefore, people will use prescription medication contrary to the doctor\u2019s instructions. A 2017 study shows that over 18 million Americans abused prescription medicines in the past year.\u00a0 There are [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[3,9,14,15,21],"tags":[30,35,48,46,47],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/coastlinerehabcenters.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/35729"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/coastlinerehabcenters.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/coastlinerehabcenters.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/coastlinerehabcenters.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/coastlinerehabcenters.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=35729"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/coastlinerehabcenters.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/35729\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/coastlinerehabcenters.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=35729"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/coastlinerehabcenters.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=35729"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/coastlinerehabcenters.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=35729"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}