There are a variety of reasons why people become addicted to drugs and alcohol. Some start using recreationally or because their friends use, until it becomes a problem. Others depend on drugs for self-medication to attempt to lessen symptoms associated with other disorders such as anxiety or depression. In certain instances, dependency issues form due to the accidental misuse of prescription drugs.
According to a 2017 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, approximately 2 million people living in the United States misused prescription drugs for the first time over the course of the last year. Over one million individuals misused stimulants, 271,000 misused sedatives, and 1.5 million misused tranquilizers in 2017 alone.
The misuse of prescription drugs is not specific to adults. Quite a few teens abuse prescription drugs as well. They may be taking an increased dose of a medication that’s been prescribed to them, or they may be getting into the medicine cabinet to try drugs prescribed to someone else in the household.
But regardless of the reason your child may start taking prescription drugs, the important thing is to stop the habit sooner rather than later. And the first step is knowing what to look out for. This article will review the signs that your teen is abusing prescription drugs.
Are Prescription Drugs Addictive?
Yes, prescription drugs are addictive. Some are more addictive than others.
When people take prescription drugs, they begin to build up a tolerance. This means they need to take more of the drug to get the same effect. Increasing the dosage is the first sign of addiction.
Withdrawal symptoms can also occur with the use of prescription drugs.
When your body gets used to having the drug in its system, it becomes unable to function normally without it. Flu-like symptoms begin to appear when you are not taking the drug, and the only way to relieve these symptoms is to start using again. This leads to a vicious cycle of dependency.
Prescription Drugs Commonly Abused
Here are some of the most commonly abused prescription drugs:
Opioids:
- Fentanyl (Duragesic)
- Morphine sulfate
- Hydrocodone (Vicodin)
- Diphenoxylate (Lomotil)
- Oxycodone (Oxycontin)
- Meperidine (Demerol)
- Oxymorphone (Darvon)
- Hydromorphone (Dilaudid)
Central Nervous System Depressants:
- Pentobarbital sodium (Nembutal)
- Sertraline (Zoloft)
- Diazepam (Valium)
- Zolpidem Tartrate (Ambien)
- Alprazolam (Xanax)
Stimulants
- Amphetamines (Adderall)
- Dextroamphetamine (Dexedrine)
- Methylphenidate (Ritalin and Concerta)
Signs of Prescription Drug Abuse
If your teen is abusing prescription drugs, you may find bottles missing from the medicine cabinet. If they are misusing drugs they have been prescribed, you may notice they require refills sooner than they should be.
Here are some other signs your teen is abusing prescription drugs:
- Mood swings
- Digestive issues
- Disorientation
- Fatigue
- Complaints of pain despite taking prescribed doses which is a sign of increased tolerance
- Withdrawal symptoms
- Troubled relationships
- Difficulty sleeping
- Frequently running to the bathroom
- Changes in regular routines
- Running out of the home at odd hours
- Dizziness
- Memory loss
- Slow speech
- Unsteady gait
- Changes in breathing
- Irregular heartbeat
- High blood pressure
- High body temperature
- Dishonest behavior
Prescription Drug Abuse Treatment Near Me
If you suspect your teen is using drugs, it’s essential to find them help as soon as possible. The longer you wait, the more severe the addiction will become and the harder it will be to treat.
If you search on the internet for prescription drug abuse treatment, you will find several facilities that offer the services you require. But how do you determine which provides the best environment and the right type of care? You’ll also have to find out if they accept teens into their program.
You can spend hours trying to find the perfect option, or you can seek help from My Recovery Source.
My Recovery Source is a service that specializes in matching people with the facilities that are optimally suited to assist them with their dependency issues. They will find you the best rehab center for your needs, regardless of your location, personal situation, background, and finances. They will get free personalized recommendations for themselves or a loved one.It can be heartbreaking to discover your teen has been abusing prescription drugs, but it’s best to deal with the issue sooner rather than later. My Recovery Source will help you find a facility that offers the perfect healing environment. Call us today to get on a path for leaving dependency issues behind you.
