How Does Prescription Drug Abuse Develop?

The addiction to prescription drug abuse In Northern New Jersey often happens slowly. Some people will not notice the shift or moment that their habitual abuse transitions into a debilitating addiction. However, once a prescription drug addiction forms, it can be very serious. As a provider of drug rehabs in Passaic County NJ and the surrounding areas, North Jersey Rehabs understands that these persistent addictions can be kept under control, with help from our treatment professionals. For today’s article, let’s discuss how prescription drug abuse develops and what could be done to rectify these ailments.

Defining Prescription Drug Misuse And Abuse

According to the National Institute On Drug Abuse (NIDA) DrugFacts, prescription drug misuse and abuse is when someone takes a medication inappropriately (e.g., without a prescription). Unfortunately, prescription drug misuse and abuse amongst patients, especially younger patients, is not an insignificant issue, by any stretch of the imagination. The National Survey On Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) compiled data on youth and young adults. More than 5700 youth in 2014 reported using prescription pain relievers without supervision from a doctor.

Addressing Common Misconceptions About Prescription Drugs

One of the most commonly held misconceptions about prescription drugs is that they are safer or less harmful to someone’s body than other kinds of drugs. However, there is a range of short and long term health consequences for each type of prescription drug that is used incorrectly:

• Stimulants: Stimulants have side effects in common with cocaine, and may include paranoia, dangerously high body temperatures, irregular heartbeats, especially if stimulants are taken in larger doses or in ways other than swallowing a pill.
• Opioids: Opioids act on the same part of the brain as heroin, and are known to cause drowsiness, nausea, constipation, and depending on how much you took, slowed breathing.
• Depressants: Depressants can cause slurred speech, shallow breathing, fatigue, lack of coordination, disorientation, and even seizures upon withdrawal from chronic usage.

As with any type of mind-altering drug, prescription drug abuse in Northern New Jersey can affect judgment and inhibition, putting many patients at a heightened risk for misusing other kinds of drugs and engaging in additional risky behaviors.

Why Is Prescription Drug Use On The Rise?

Some professionals think that more people are abusing prescription medications because many of these drugs have become easier to access. Doctors themselves have reported writing more prescriptions than ever before. It’s also easy for these consumers to find online pharmacies that distribute the drugs. Teens may raid their parents’ medicine cabinets for themselves or their friends to use. A majority of young people have no idea what medication they’re taking and which ones may cause serious issues (sometimes death), if used with other drugs or alcohol. It’s possible that they will continue to operate under the mindset that these prescriptions are safer, just because a doctor prescribed them. But as we have clearly mentioned in previous sections, this is simply not the case.

Prescription Drug Abuse Risk Factors

Research has shown that some things about you might make you more likely to abuse prescription drugs. These risk factors can include the following:

• Friends’ or colleagues’ influence
• Age
• Biology, or other factors within your genes
• Mental health
• Prior knowledge about prescription drugs and how they might hurt you

Signs And Symptoms Of Prescription Drug Abuse

Signs of prescription drug abuse in Northern New Jersey can depend on the drug that is involved. Someone who abuses opioids might experience:

• Dizziness
• Slow or shallow breathing
• Upset stomach, vomiting, or constipation
• Slurred speech
• Poor coordination
• Mood swings
• Depression or anxiety

For abuse of CNS depressants, symptoms can include:

• Mood changes
• Trouble with walking
• Difficulty concentrating
• Poor judgment
• Slower reflexes
• Slurred speech
• Memory issues
• Slow breathing

For stimulant abuse, the most commonly reported symptoms are the following:

• Weight loss and lack of appetite
• Dizziness
• Headache
• Insomnia
• Nervousness
• High blood pressure
• Uneven heart rate
• Paranoia

What Does Treatment Look Like For Prescription Drug Abuse?

Treatment for opioid addiction often includes medications that can help people retain control, without a high chance of addiction. Our drug rehabs in Passaic County NJ will use medications like Buprenorphine to treat opiate withdrawal and dependence. Doctors usually use it in conjunction with the drug naloxone (a combination that can be called Bunavail, Suboxone, or Zubsolv) to prevent relapse. Experts believe that medication-assisted treatment with methadone, Naltrexone, or Suboxone and cognitive behavioral therapy are some of the most efficient treatment options for patients dealing with opioid addictions. For treating addiction to CNS depressants or stimulants, counseling is the most common treatment and as far as detox is concerned, this should always be handled under the watchful eye of your doctor.

Helping A Loved One Who’s Addicted To Prescription Drugs: Professional Drug Rehabs In Passaic County NJ

If you or a loved one is regularly abusing prescription drugs, talk with our treatment professionals at North Jersey Rehabs. We can tailor a treatment regimen that adheres to your specific needs. The road to recovery is within your reach, you just need to put in the work to get there. To get started with treatment, contact us today!