Category: International

Prescription Addicted Parent? – Many people the world over put addiction to drugs firmly on the doorstep of the younger generation. They vilify the use of ‘heavy’ drugs such as heroin, cocaine and meth, yet place the overuse and dependence of prescribed medication in a different category.

The plain fact is that dependence is dependence and anyone who abuses drugs of any kind needs to seek professional rehabilitation assistance.

We will look at how children should approach parents regarding over-use of prescription medication at the end of the piece, but first here are a few pointers relating to prescription medication:

What is prescription medication:

This is controlled medication that can legally only be sanctioned for use by a certified medical professional. This drug or medicine should not be confused with OTC (over the counter) drugs which can be purchased by anyone over the legal age limit.

Prescription medication is recommended after a patient has seen their general health practitioner and been diagnosed as having a need for a stronger drug to help with their condition.

Helpful but moreish!

There is little doubt that this class of drug can help with a whole range of conditions from Anxiety to Weight-loss. There is even less doubt that if not taken as recommended the chances of becoming dependent upon them increase greatly.

Because they are so ‘moreish’ there is a strong temptation for a patient to ‘fib’ about their condition during subsequent doctor’s appointments in order to ensure a repeat prescription is issued.

Categories and some of the biggest ‘offenders’:

Prescription Addicted Parent – There are 3 major categories that the most widely abused prescription drugs fall into. These are:

Opioids: Often issued for either short term or chronic pain relief due to their highly effective pain killing abilities. This type of drug leaves the user feeling euphoric and at ease which is a state that can quickly become a constant need.

Central nervous system depressants: Many will know this category simply as tranquillizers or depressants. They include some of the most abused drugs available. Examples being barbiturates and benzodiazepines.

When used the result is a feeling of calm and relaxation. A user is at ease with themselves, but such feelings can very quickly become the ‘norm’ rather than the drug being used as prescribed.

Stimulants: This category of drug does what it says on the tin! It increases brain activity. This has the knock-on effect of increasing a user’s alertness and energy. While genuinely required by many, this class of drug is abused by even more.

Examples of the drugs you will come across:

Prescription Addicted Parent – There are a huge number of prescription drugs available. Here are just 5 of the most common and addictive:

Xanax: This benzodiazepine is used for the treatment of those with serious anxiety problems and panic disorder issues amongst other conditions.

It works by depressing the central nervous system and leaves a use feeling sedated, extremely relaxed, and at ease. So much so that it is claimed this is the most widely abused prescription drug available.

Valium: Along with its sister drug klonopin these are also benzodiazepines. As such they also provide very positive sedative effects. Many who abuse this drug do so for the highs received. It is stated these effects are similar to being under the influence of alcohol.

Users feel ‘pleasantly tipsy’, relaxed and talkative. The problem with these 2 drugs as well as others in the benzodiazepine group is just how quickly they become habit-forming. Excessive use and abuse is responsible for users suffering blackouts and accidental overdoses.

Many who use these drugs do so with other drugs. While this will increase the never ending search for ‘higher highs’ it also greatly increases the chances of dependence.

Oxycodone: Many will know this under its common ‘trade’ name of OxyContin, or through the combination of oxycodone and acetaminophen which is sold as Percocet.

This opiate is often likened to heroin and works by changing the way your brain and central nervous system respond to pain. When taken users achieve a combination of sedation and euphoria.

Amphetamines: With ‘Speed’ as its most common nickname this should tell you exactly what this type of drug does for a user.

Prescribed for those suffering with conditions such as ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) and Narcolepsy; a condition that causes people to fall asleep whenever in relaxed surroundings, amphetamine class drugs work by increasing wakefulness, alertness and focus.

It is common knowledge that these drugs are widely abused and apart from the huge quantities that are dispensed via prescription every year there are many more sold illegally on the streets.

Ritalin: Another very well-known stimulant. This drug works on the central nervous system by increasing brain levels of the hormone dopamine. Amongst other things this hormone greatly increases a user’s attention span.

Two major things that are no different with this drug and other stimulants:

There are massive amounts prescribed year on year and the fact that they can quickly become habit forming.

How to broach the subject with parents:

Prescription Addicted Parent – If you suspect one or both of your parent’s are relying on prescribed medication it is often not an easy thing to approach them about, but this should not be something to discourage you.

By educating yourself on what types of drug are most addictive, what the effects of constant use are, and then finding the appropriate time to raise your concerns with them; this could well be when they are in a relaxed and calm state!

An aggressive tone is a ‘No-No’ and by avoiding raised voices these discussions should go a long way to persuading them that they are relying on their medication for the wrong reasons.

This may well be to the extent of them having dependence issues, but whatever stage their over-reliance is they should be urged to seek professional help and perhaps counselling to help them overcome these issues with your full support along the way.

Children with a Prescription Addicted Parent can contact Dara Rehab for help on this issue.

An excellent article on how to recognize signs of your parents addiction.

Prescription Addiction – Prescription medication helps countless people through illness and disease. It also takes a massive toll in terms of those who become dependent upon medicine that is supposedly under strict control.

Let’s take a look at this medication, how common abuse of it is, some frightening statistics and how so much of it is reaching the illegal dealers.

What is Prescription medication – The Cure?

Often called ‘prescription medicine’ or ‘prescription drug’ this type of medication is a pharmaceutical drug that by law requires a certified medical professional to authorise its use.

After seeing a patient and carrying out any necessary medical checks these professionals then recommend any medication required. Once accepted by the patient a prescription with signature is supplied. The patient then takes this to an approved pharmacist to receive the medicine.

These drugs are far stronger than Over The Counter (OTC) medicines that can be obtained without a prescription by anyone over the age of consent. To prevent misuse of prescription medication the above safeguards have been put in place.

This misuse includes abuse of the drug as well as preventing people from practicing medicine without a licence.

What is prescription medication addiction – The Cause?

Prescription Addiction – Also commonly called ‘prescription drug abuse’ this is the use of a controlled drug without a prescription, or the drug in question has been prescribed but is used in a way other than how it should be, or it is used purely for ‘pleasure’ due to the heightened feelings and experiences it offers.

Is this abuse common?

In many countries it is out of control. There are literally millions of people the world over abusing prescription medication and many of these are now dependent upon them.

It is also understood that alcohol and marijuana are the only substances abused by more people than prescription medication.

Startling statistics that really are very frightening:

To put the scale of prescription drug abuse clearly into context it is claimed this type of abuse has been the fastest growing drug problem in several countries for a good few years now.

For well over a decade opioid pain medication has played a role in more overdose deaths than heroin and cocaine combined.

Prescription addiction surveys carried out state that around one-third of first time recreational drug users choose to start their drug experimentation with some form of prescription medication.

If this really is the case then surely it points to this class of drug being a powerful ‘gateway drug’ that leads many onto other highly addictive substances such as methamphetamine, cocaine and heroin.

How do so many prescription drugs get onto the streets?

With an estimated yearly black market value of $25 billion in the United States alone it is little wonder there are a variety of ways that these drugs reach the hands of dealers.

Most of these avenues come under a term known as:

Diversion:

This is where prescription drugs are transferred from lawful to unlawful channels of distribution.

Pain management clinics are the major source dealers ‘use’ for obtaining painkillers and depressants.

Examples of the most in-demand opioids are Roxicodone and OxyContin, while Xanax is said to be the most popular benzodiazepine depressant.

Methods of Diversion:

Differing methods are used by dealers and they will often combine ways of securing these drugs to ensure a constant supply and re-stocking of their inventories. Some popular methods are:

Finding willing individuals to make appointments at clinics, surgeries and health facilities, and training them on what to say as well as supplying fraudulent MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) reports to give to the pain doctor. These individuals then go ‘Doctor Shopping’ and visit four or five pain clinics per month.

Dealers also use a process known as ‘sponsoring’ where they finance all of a willing participant’s expenses in exchange for 50-75% of the pills obtained per visit.

Some dealers prefer to purchase drugs from willing sellers that include Veterans, those on government health schemes, Crack/Heroin addicts and HIV patients.

They particularly target those receiving regular prescriptions via government subsidized schemes, and registered addicts who receive prescription medication but prefer their illegal drug of choice.

The reason these 2 groups are targeted is because they often have low levels of income and are more than willing to sell some, or all of their regular supply.

Another supply route is the use of a ‘Connect’. This term describes an employee at a healthcare facility who has access to a constant supply of medication and/or prescription pads.

Some of these ‘connects’ may also be in a position to take batches of sample drugs provided to the facility, falsify inventory claims as a shipment arrives or undercount dispensed medication.

A huge challenge to reduce this abuse:

It is very clear that authorities face a huge challenge if they are to reduce the number of people illegally using prescription medication. The success of current and future solutions remains to be seen.

If you are abusing these drugs, have issues with prescription addiction and are in need of professional assistance to help stop use, please do yourself a huge favour by contacting a well-established rehabilitation centre. They can offer confidential advice and support while explaining the options available to you in terms of treatment.