Prescription drugs when consumed without any doctor’s recommendation are also one way of drug abuse. Just like any street drug, this is also considered illegal and can cause many side effects on the health of the user. As it is much easier to get than those illegal drugs, the usage of these prescription drugs has increased among people nowadays.
People tend to take these drugs for various reasons like having fun, losing weight, increasing their concentration and many more. If this is prescribed by your doctor, then they are safe as the doctor has first examined you and then prescribed it to you. They will also tell you the dosage and ways to deal with side effects if any.
But if this is taken without a doctor’s recommendation then it can be dangerous to you. It is also seen that these prescription drugs were sold on the streets too for easy usage by the drug abuser. If you or your loved one are addicted to this kind of prescription drug, you can seek help from a good facility centre that can help you overcome this problem. They take measures like rehab detox, inpatient and outpatient treatments, counselling and many more. Just check the directory of Detox to Rehab where you can seek addiction treatments. Their helpline is answered by industry professionals who can answer all your queries.
Here is the list of drugs that are considered to be used as prescription drugs:
1. Opioids:
This includes oxycodone (OxyContin), hydrocodone(Vicodin) and meperidine (Demerol). These drugs are used for treating pain or relieving coughs or diarrhoea. They work with the opioid receptors in the central nervous system that prevents the brain from receiving pain signals.
2. Central Nervous system depressants:
These include diazepam (Valium), phenobarbital (Luminal), and alprazolam (Xanax). They are used to treat stress, anxiety, panic attacks, and insomnia. They work by slowing down the activity of the brain by increasing the activity of a neurotransmitter called GABA. This may result in feeling calm and drowsy.
3. Stimulants:
This includes medicines like methylphenidate and dextroamphetamine/ amphetamine. They are used to treat narcolepsy and ADHD. They help in increasing the brain energy that will make you alert, attentive and energetic.
These drug overdoses can lead to serious health issues like seizures, heart failure, and even death. Thus, it is always better to avoid such prescription drugs without a doctor’s recommendation even if it is given to anyone close to you by their doctors themselves.
