PharmaWatch

Prescription drugs have been extremely beneficial to all of society, eradicating many of the dangers of some of the most common diseases and easing pain for people who are seriously ill. However, there is a danger that these very helpful drugs can be used for recreational or non medical purposes; pharmaceutical addiction is an ever-growing problem, and it can lead to severe debilitation or even death by overdose. Many states are attempting to control the problem through drug monitoring programs, but according to the National Survey on Drug Use and Health, there are still over 6 million Americans using these drugs for purposes beyond their original intent.

The prescription drugs that are most commonly subject to pharmaceutical addiction fall into three classes: opioids, central nervous system depressants, and stimulants. These drugs are used for a wide variety of illnesses and disorders, and they are widely available. Opioids are commonly used for severe pain, while central nervous system depressants are used for such problems as sleep disorders or anxiety. Opioids block the transmission of any pain messages to the brain by attaching to opioid receptors in the brain and the spinal cord, causing a lack of pain or discomfort. CNS depressants are known to slow brain activity by acting on the GABA system, producing a calming effect. Stimulants are prescribed most frequently for ADHD, obesity, and narcolepsy. Stimulants will increase energy, alertness, and attention by enhancing the brain's activity. Each drug elicits different affects on the user, and the drugs are occasionally mixed to provide different sensations. It is the job of physicians and pharmacists to determine when the drugs are necessary for the health of a patient, or merely wanted for purposes that are more nefarious. Unfortunately, it can be difficult to track the change from medical necessity to pharmaceutical abuse.

Many people who eventually become addicted to prescription medication start out using the drugs for perfectly legitimate purposes, but through use that continues beyond a reasonable amount of time, they find that they are now dependent on the drugs that were once used for medical reasons. People find many reasons to justify pharmaceutical addiction; some say that there can't be a problem with the drugs because they were prescribed by a physician, others fear that they won't be able to function without the use of the drugs. Some people simply enjoy the way that the drugs make them feel and have no desire to stop using them. The point at which pharmaceutical addiction is often recognized is when the prescription drug addiction morphs into a poly-pharmacy addiction. This is when the addicted person moves from just taking the drug prescribed for longer than the doctor intended to adding additional drugs to his or her daily habit. When the user is no longer satiated by the initial prescription, the problem is out of control, and professional intervention can be required. This help can range from an intervention to a brief stay in a rehab facility. It's vital that the addicted person slowly decrease the amount of medication taken, preferably under a doctor's supervision.