Prescription Drug Abuse in Cincinnati, OH

The fastest growing epidemic in the United States today is prescription drug abuse. Many people are under the impression that prescription drug abuse, or the non-medical use of prescription drugs, is safer than illicit drug use. However, the facts would suggest otherwise.

Prescription drug abuse accounts for 45 percent of all drug overdose deaths in the United States today. On the other hand, the three big illegal drugs (which are heroin, cocaine, and meth) only account for a total of 39 percent of those deaths. This big difference in overdose deaths only serves to illustrate just how dangerous prescription drug abuse can be.

The Prescription Drugs that People Abuse Most Often

Prescription drug abuse can occur with any prescription medication. However, there are only three types of drugs that people commonly abused and develop addictions to as a result. These are prescription opioid painkillers, central nervous system sedatives, and central nervous system stimulants.

Prescription Opioid Painkillers

Opioid painkillers are drugs that are intended for the treatment of severe and moderate pain. They are commonly prescribed after serious injuries and after surgery and may sometimes be used in the management of chronic pain conditions. However, in addition to being powerful painkillers, opioids are also drugs that cause a person to feel an overwhelming sense of calm and relaxation, and can even invoke a state of relaxed euphoria. Some examples of prescription opioids include Fentanyl, Vicodin, and OxyContin among numerous others.

Prescription opioids are the most commonly abused prescription drugs of all and in many areas of the country are more commonly abused than all other drugs, illicit or legally obtainable. These drugs accounted for 14,000 drug overdose deaths in just the year 2014, according to the Centers for Disease Control.

Central Nervous System Sedatives

Central nervous system sedatives are commonly prescribed medications for mental health conditions like anxiety, panic disorders, post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), sleep disorders, and obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD). They cause a person to feel more content and relaxed and can cause a state of euphoria in high doses. Prescription sedatives include Xanax, Ativan, and Valium.

Central Nervous System Stimulants

Central nervous system stimulants are drugs that are most often used for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) as well as narcolepsy and some types of seizure disorders. They trigger activity in the central nervous system and can increase wakefulness and focus. Many high-achievers in academics and athletics turn to abusing prescription stimulants to try to stay awake and study or workout or to improve focus, attention, learning retention, and performance. However, there is little evidence to even support the notion that stimulants can function in that capacity. Examples of stimulants include Dexedrine, Adderall and Ritalin. Prescription Drug Abuse is the cause of these issues.

Getting Help is Key

Overcoming a prescription drug abuse problem or addiction requires more than just a strong will and desire to recovery. Help and assistance from a professional treatment program is the key to successful recovery. From medical detox to help a person get the drug out of their body safely and with as little discomfort as possible to cognitive-behavioral and alternative therapies to help a person understand the root of their addiction and to address and better cope with it, treatment programs can help you every step of the way.

Drug Detox Centers Cincinnati is here to answer any questions you may have about recovery or to help you get started overcoming your prescription drug addiction and abuse problem. Just give us a call at (513) 914-4554 to get the process started.