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What drugs are commonly abused? What is drug addiction? How quickly can I become addicted to a drug? How do I know if someone is addicted to drugs? What are the physical signs of abuse or addiction? If a pregnant woman abuses drugs, does it affect the fetus? Are there effective treatments for drug addiction? Where can I find information about drug treatment programs? What is detoxification, or "detox"? What is withdrawal? How long does it last? How can I receive educational materials regarding drug abuse? Is permission required to use parts of or reproduce these materials? |
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Drugs of Abuse Alcohol Club Drugs Cocaine Fentanyl Heroin Inhalants LSD (Acid) Marijuana MDMA (Ecstasy) Methamphetamine PCP/Phencyclidine Prescription Drugs Steroids (Anabolic) Tobacco Addiction (Nicotine) Prescription Drugs What is considered prescription drug abuse? Prescription drug abuse includes any non-medical use of a prescription medication or not using drugs exactly as prescribed for the patient. Taking medication without a prescription because the drugs were obtained illegally or using a friend’s or family member’s prescription is considered abuse. Overdosing or abusing a legally prescribed drug also qualifies. What are some of the more commonly abused prescription drugs and their effects? What types of prescription drugs are abused? Three types of drugs are abused most often: Opioids—prescribed for pain relief CNS depressants—barbiturates and benzodiazepines prescribed for anxiety or sleep problems (often referred to as sedatives or tranquilizers) Stimulants—prescribed for attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), the sleep disorder narcolepsy, or obesity. How can you help prevent prescription drug abuse? Ask your doctor or pharmacist about your medication, especially if you are unsure about its effects. Keep your doctor informed about all medications you are taking, including over-the-counter medications. Read the information your pharmacist provides before starting to take medications. Take your medication(s) as prescribed. Keep all prescription medications secured at all times and properly dispose of any unused medications. Why are these drugs abused? Some people try to control their weight by using appetite suppressants, diuretics and stimulants. Used under a physician’s care, these medicines may be used safely, but some resort to self-medication which can lead to abuse. Dealing with chronic pain or anxiety can be debilitating, especially when combined with other conditions such as depression and/or a physical or mental disability. Many people turn to self-medication for relief. Some legitimate prescription users develop an addiction to their medication which can lead to abuse or even to illegal drug use. In our competitive society some students and business people are using prescription stimulants in the false assumption that they improve focus or endurance. Other drugs are abused for a perceived advantage in physical performance or to stay awake. Aren’t these drugs legal to use and safe because they are regulated? Yes, they’re legal and generally safe for patients for whom the drugs are prescribed if they’re used in the way their doctors prescribe them. No, they’re illegal and unsafe if they are abused by patients or used by someone for whom they were not prescribed. Something that makes these drugs even more dangerous is the fact that they’re available everywhere – your kitchen counter, your daughter’s best friend’s backpack, your aging parents’ medicine cabinet. They are easier to get but just as dangerous as illegal drugs. What about prescription drugs bought via the Internet? What’s great about drug information on the Internet is the same as what’s awful about drug information on the Internet – there’s so much of it. You can discover your options for legitimate prescription drug therapy online, and you can find out exactly how much Tylenol PM to mix with heroin for the best high. The web has brought with it easy availability of prescription drugs, too, and these pharmacies often do not require patients to be examined in person. Dangerously potent medicines can be bought by anyone with a search engine and a credit card number. Not all online pharmacies are legitimate – how do you know that the medication contains the right amount of an active ingredient? The location for these pharmacies can be easily falsified. Suppliers may say that a medication comes from a country with strict regulations on drug manufacturing, but buyers can’t know for sure that their medicines are produced according to government guidelines with only a website’s word for it. Are there any over-the-counter medicines being abused? The most common one is cough medicine with dextromethorphan (DXM) abused for its almost hallucinogenic effects. Some over-the-counter drugs like pseudophedrine are mixed with other products such as nail polish removers and used to make illegal drugs like methamphetamine and GHB. Over-the-counter drugs can cause adverse reactions due to medical conditions or other medications the user has already taken. Just because they are legally available without a prescription doesn’t mean they are safe, especially when not used according to directions. Here are further guidelines. |