A Serious and Growing Problem
Experts are unsure why prescription drug abuse continues to rise. The option of prescription medications and/or the assumption they are more acceptable than "street drugs" are some of the reasons for the upsurge in the abuse. Other reasons for the upsurge in abuse include online pharmacies, which can make it easy to get prescription medications, and the fact that doctors are prescribing more drugs than ever before. Irrespective of the reason why, prescription drug addiction kills.
Ahead of methamphetamine, cocaine, ecstasy, heroin and others, prescription medications are the 2nd most commonly abused class of drugs. Probably the most abused include pain relievers or opioids such as for instance Lortab (hydrocodone), Oxycontin (oxycodone), Dilaudid (hydromorphone),
and Demerol (meperidine); anxiety medication or central nervous system depressants including barbiturates and benzodiazepines such as for instance Valium (diazepam) and Xanax (alprazolam); and stimulants for ADHD such as for instance Ritalin and Adderall. This abuse presents a great challenge due to the need to balance potential abuse with the legitimate need for the medications.
One of many main "cocktails" utilized by those who abuse prescription drugs is an assortment of opiods and benzodiazepines. Usually the cocktail includes Oxycontin and Xanax. This mixture has proven to be a deadly combination.
The usage of opiods has serious unwanted effects such as for instance respiratory suppression. The results include acute pulmonary edema, bronchospasm, and aspiration of vomit. Death from opioid overdose is normally because of respiratory failure. Benzodiazepines also adversly effects the respiratory system by inhibiting the neurotransmitters that mediate the control of respiration.
When people mix and abuse these medications, they are playing "Russian roulette" making use of their lives. Both of these medications, used separately and as intended, have legitimate uses. Unfortunately, the illegal use and mixing of opiods and benzodiazepines are area of the growing problem of prescription drug abuse.
A lot of those who're suffering from prescription drug addiction will claim that they have a legitimate reason for taking the drug. Unfortunately, irrespective of the reason why, those who have problems with the abuse have a critical drug problem and need help.
Prescription drug abuse is a killer and ought to be treated as a critical problem. Several choices are available for helping those hooked on prescription medication. Once you learn or suspect someone of abusing prescription drugs, seek qualified advice to ascertain the simplest way to help.
One persistent problem with prescription drug abuse www.njaddictionresources.com/resources/name/narcotics-anonymous-in-south-jersey/ is the difficulty many medical practitioners have in recognizing the situation inside their patients. Generalists tend to focus on the presenting problems of the patients and often overlook hidden or suppressed difficulties.
Specialists are reluctant to offer an opinion beyond your scope of the specialty. Substance abuse problems may go unrecognized for a long time until a crisis brings the problem to the forefront. Unfortunately this crisis may often take the form of an overdose or other life-threatening episode that could have been avoided by earlier detection.
