When we think of drug addiction, we have a tendency to think of hardcore drugs like heroin, cocaine, and meth. However, prescription drugs currently cause the highest amount of overdose deaths in the United States. It’s no coincidence that our country leads the way in most prescribed drugs, as our medical professionals prescribe 81% of the world’s supply.
Opioids Are the Most Prescribed Drugs
A recent report showed that every day in the United States, 5,000 people are trying opioids for the first time. Of these people, a majority of them have a legitimate prescription pain medication. While doctors and physicians prescribe these medications with good intentions, these medications are highly addictive.
People receive these medications after an injury or to treat chronic pain, which can cause painkiller addiction. There are some who immediately become attracted to the high of these medications, but for many others, it takes some time. When a person is taking the medication every day for months, their mind and body begin needing the medication in order to feel well. Believe it or not, avoiding prescription opioid withdrawal is one of the leading gateways to heroin.
About Benzodiazepines
Psychiatrists and other mental health professionals prescribe benzodiazepines to treat anxiety. There are some who take this medication as needed, but others take it every day as a way to keep their anxiety at bay. The issue is that this type of medication also triggers a flood of dopamine, which gives people a euphoric feeling. There are also many people who fake symptoms of anxiety just to get this medication in order to abuse it.
About Amphetamines
Prescription amphetamines like Adderall as a way to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. Because medication helps individuals focus, they receive the medication to help with school or work. A person may begin abusing the medication in order to study longer or get more work done.
These types of medications are becoming more and more popular amongst college students because it allows them to extend their partying and mask the effects of other substances, particularly alcohol. Unfortunately, many people who combine alcohol with amphetamines are at a high risk of alcohol poisoning because they can’t tell how intoxicated they are.
If you believe you’ve developed a problem with some of the most prescribed drugs, allow Ashley Addiction Treatment to help. Our addiction treatment center can help you prepare for a substance-free life. We’re going to teach you new ways to deal with pain or mental illness without having to use these medications. You can call us today at 866-313-6307 to find out more about some of our substance abuse programs.