Prescription drug addiction rates are skyrocketing in the United States and around the world. Nearly 50,000 people died of opioid overdoses in 2019 alone.
But which drugs are the most addictive? Let’s find out the prescription drug abuse facts you need to know.
1. Oxycodone
Oxycodone, commonly known under the brand name Oxycontin, is a painkiller that’s commonly prescribed. Oxycodone, like other opioids, can help manage chronic pain, but there are real dangers involved when taking them.
Even when you take oxycodone as prescribed, it can become addictive over time. You can develop a tolerance which can cause you to take more and more pills, increasing your risk of developing a dependency or overdosing. Taking opioids along with other medications, or with alcohol, can make the dangers even riskier.
And, opioid addiction can have severe side effects, including drowsiness, dizziness, euphoria, nausea, confusion, and many others. Because opioids suppress your nervous systems, they can cause greater problems very quickly.
2. Diazepam
Drugs other than opioids can be abused or become addictive. Diazepam, which is in the benzodiazepine family, is commonly used for anxiety. It’s often sold under the brand name Valium.
Diazepam isn’t the only benzodiazepine or anxiety drug that is often abused. Other, similar prescription drugs that can be abused include alprazolam, lorazepam, chlordiazepoxide, triazolam, and midazolam.
Symptoms of misusing these drugs include lethargy, irritability, and other personality changes, dizziness, speech changes, vision problems, nausea, vomiting, and many others.
These types of drugs are also often misused in combination with other drugs, which makes them even more dangerous.
3. Amphetamines and Stimulants
Amphetamines are often abused by college students because they are used to help with studying. But they can be abused by other groups of people as well. Stimulants are misused for these purposes because they boost your ability to focus and therefore your productivity.
They’re especially useful for staying up for long periods of time, which offers extra benefits for students who wait until the last minute to do their work.
These come in many different varieties and are often prescribed to combat conditions such as ADHD or narcolepsy.
Some common varieties of amphetamines that are often abused include the following:
- Adderal
- Methylphenidate
- Dextroamphetamine
- Mydayis
- Benzedrine
- Lisdexamfetamine
While some people do need amphetamines for their health, it’s important to moderate your use. Abusing amphetamines and stimulants can have severe side effects including increased heart rate and breathing, paranoia, seizures, weight loss, and many others.
They can cause permanent heart problems over time when taken in large doses.
4. Fentanyl
Fentanyl is only usually prescribed for severe, chronic pain, like for cancer patients, but that doesn’t mean it’s safe from being abused. In fact, it’s one of the most highly addictive drugs out there.
It’s similar to morphine, but much more potent, which is why it’s prescribed to patients who have too strong a tolerance to other pain medications or who have allergies to other medications.
It’s also stronger than even morphine, so it’s easily abused and gets dangerous even more quickly.
Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid, and when legally made it’s usually found in the form of patches or lozenges. When illegally made, which is the most common way it’s misused, it can come in many different forms. That makes it even more prone to prescription drug abuse.
5. Hydrocodone
Yet another commonly abused pain medication is hydrocodone. It’s most often known by the brand names Vicodin, Lorcet, or Lortab.
Withdrawal from opioids and other prescriptions can be extremely difficult and dangerous. Symptoms can include sleep disturbances, sweating, chills, problems with your digestive system,
If you are struggling with addiction to hydrocodone or other prescription drugs, all is not lost. Look into different recovery options, such as prescription drug rehab, today.
6. Sleep Medications
Many people find it hard to sleep. But, did you know that many different sleep medications can be addictive?
If you struggle with insomnia for long periods of time and continue to take sleeping pills to combat your insomnia, you’re more likely to develop a dependency on sleep medication. Plus, many people don’t realize that sleeping pills can be addictive, which makes them more dangerous.
That’s why many people use melatonin or other supplements, to try and get to sleep, rather than dealing with medications that could become addictive and cause long-term problems.
Some common types of sleep medications include:
- Eszopiclone
- Zaleplon
- Doxepin
- Triazolam
- Lemborexant
- Suvorexant
- Zolpidem
If you have been taking sleep medications and think you are developing a dependency or tolerance, make sure you talk to your doctor as soon as possible to develop alternate strategies for your sleeping issues.
7. Morphine
Morphine is usually used in hospitals but it can be prescribed. And, it’s often abused by people who have prescribed it (or who obtain it in other ways). Morphine can come in a pill or a liquid form.
Tolerance to morphine can be gained quickly, which means that it’s particularly dangerous for people who are prone to or genetically inclined to addiction. Side effects of morphine use can include euphoria, reduced anxiety, drowsiness, and others.
Morphine overdoses can also cause problems. Signs of a morphine overdose include muscle spasms and cramps, back and side pain, facial swelling, and thirst. A morphine overdose can lead to unconsciousness or death, so it’s important to avoid it.
Avoiding Prescription Drug Addiction: The Beginning
By knowing the most addictive prescription drug out there and other drug addiction facts, you can avoid prescription drug addiction and help your loved ones avoid addiction as well.
Are you looking for help with alcohol or prescription drug addiction? Contact ReAlign Detox today.