There are many reasons an individual might take prescription medications, such as anxiety disorders or pain management. They can be helpful for people with serious conditions to live a normal life when taken as directed. However, dangerous prescription drugs are one of the most highly abused substances. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, about 16 million people in the US reported using a prescription drug without a prescription or for a nonmedical purpose in the past year; about seven million reported doing so in the past month. Learn more about which are the most addicting prescription medications and how to recognize the signs of addiction in yourself or a loved one.
What Are The Most Addicting Prescription Medications?: How It Happens
While learning about which are the most addicting prescription medications, it is important to understand why prescription medications are so addicting in the first place. Dangerous prescription drugs can create false endorphins in the brain, which gives the user a euphoric high.
The more an individual takes these medications, the less natural endorphins their body produces naturally. This causes the brain to depend on the medication to produce it for the body, causing withdrawal symptoms and drug-seeking behavior when not supplied with it. Over time, this dependence causes tolerance, which quickly leads to needing to take more and more to experience the euphoric high. Eventually, this can lead to a deadly overdose.
Anxiety Medications
The most addictive anxiety medications are a class of drugs called Benzodiazepines. These drugs can help people with anxiety and panic disorders live a normal life by easing their symptoms. It helps to calm the brain’s overactivity that is experienced with anxiety and panic conditions. However, they are also highly addictive.
Addicting prescription medications for the treatment of anxiety and panic disorders include:
- Ativan
- Diastat
- Diastat Acudial
- Halcion
- Klonopin
- Librium
- Onfi
- Restoril
- Tranxene
- Valium
- Xanax
Pain Management Medications
Prescription medications for pain management can be very beneficial for someone experiencing a traumatic injury, recovery from surgery, chronic pain conditions, or pain associated with cancer treatments. They work by cutting off communication between the pain point and the brain to stop releasing pain signals. This helps the user get relief, but it can quickly become addictive.
The most addicting prescription medications for pain management include:
- Codeine
- Fentanyl
- Lortab
- Morphine
- Methadone
- Norco
- Oxycodone
- OxyContin
- Percocet
- Vicodin
Stimulant Medications
Stimulant medications can help individuals experiencing conditions such as ADD, ADHD, narcolepsy, and obesity. They speed up the body to help the user become more focused and alert. Along with addiction, long-term use can also cause high blood pressure, heart attack, and stroke.
The most addicting stimulant prescription medications include:
- Adderall
- Concerta
- Dexedrine
- Ritalin
- Strattera
- Vyvase
Signs of Addiction to Prescription Medications
Even the most well-meaning user can become addicted to prescription medication. That is why it is so important to pay attention to the signs and symptoms of addiction so that you can take action right away once you recognize them.
Signs of addiction to prescription medications include:
- Not following dosing orders by taking more than prescribed and consistently running out of medication early
- Drug-seeking behaviors such as purchasing prescription drugs from others, the black market, or having multiple prescriptions from many doctors at many pharmacies
- Increased irritability and aggression
- Isolation from friends and family
- Experiencing withdrawal symptoms when not taking medications
- Family members, friends, or medical professionals expressing concern about use
- Changes in physical appearances, such as poor hygiene or marked weight gain or loss
- Poor performance in school or work
About Seasons in Malibu
Living a life addicted to dangerous prescription drugs is a death sentence. It only gets worse and worse, and the only way to stop the cycle is to get treatment. The good news about addiction to prescription medications is that it is a treatable condition. It is possible to live a life free of addiction to prescription medications with the help of medical professionals. Detox can be a comfortable experience, and treatment can be a safe place. If you’re ready to live a life free of prescription medication addiction, give us a call.
At Seasons In Malibu, the healing process begins at the moment you arrive at our drug rehab in Malibu. Patients immediately undergo a medical assessment to determine the detox treatment method appropriate for him or her. We at Seasons believe in the principle of “individualized treatment,” so the first thing we do is establish the right medication and therapy for each patient through an assessment process.
Patients are then reassessed every week and their treatment plan is modified according to their progress. Each of our patients is constantly and carefully monitored so any problems are addressed immediately as they appear.
Seasons In Malibu is in the business of saving lives; whether you are a student, a CEO, a parent, or a celebrity, you are welcome at our California rehab center and your recovery will be treated with the utmost discretion. Seasons promotes a diverse culture within our facilities because of the diverse population within each of them. People from all walks of life are welcome to grab a piece of hope that we offer all those who have found the challenges of life a little too overwhelming.
