Prescription Drug Abuse and Addiction

Signs, Symptoms and Treatment

Brief Description:
     Prescription drug abuse consists of taking a prescription medication that is not prescribed for you, or taking it for reasons or in dosages other than as prescribed. Abuse of prescription drugs can produce serious health effects, including addiction. Opiate addiction can hinder the physical, emotional and financial aspects of their lives. Commonly abused classes of prescription medications include opioids, central nervous system depressants, and stimulants. According to several national surveys, prescription medications are being abused at a rate second only to marijuana among illicit drug users. The consequences of this abuse have been steadily worsening, reflected in increased treatment admissions, emergency room visits and overdose deaths.

Warning Signs of opiate addiction and dependency:
The addiction or dependency is usually defined as a central nervous system disorder which results from continual use of the drug. In order for an individual to be diagnosed with opiate addiction, two or more of the following must be present in a 12 month period according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders V.

1. recurrent substance use resulting in a failure to fulfill major role obligations at work, school, or home (e.g., repeated absences or poor work performance related to substance use; substance-related absences, suspensions, or expulsions from school; neglect of children or household)
2. recurrent substance use in situations in which it is physically hazardous (e.g., driving an automobile or operating a machine when impaired by substance use
3. continued substance use despite having persistent or recurrent social or interpersonal problems caused or exacerbated by the effects of the substance (e.g., arguments with spouse about consequences of intoxication, physical fights)
4. tolerance, as defined by either of the following:

a.   a need for markedly increased amounts of the substance to achieve intoxication or desired effect
b.   markedly diminished effect with continued use of the same amount of the substance
(Note: Tolerance is not counted for those taking medications under medical supervision such as analgesics, antidepressants, ant-anxiety medications or beta-blockers.)

5. withdrawal, as manifested by either of the following:

a.   the characteristic withdrawal syndrome for the substance (refer to Criteria A and B of the criteria sets for Withdrawal from the specific substances)
b.   the same (or a closely related) substance is taken to relieve or avoid withdrawal symptoms
(Note: Withdrawal is not counted for those taking medications under medical supervision such as analgesics, antidepressants, anti-anxiety medications or beta-blockers.)

6. the substance is often taken in larger amounts or over a longer period than was intended
7. there is a persistent desire or unsuccessful efforts to cut down or control substance use
8. a great deal of time is spent in activities necessary to obtain the substance, use the substance, or recover from its effects
9. important social, occupational, or recreational activities are given up or reduced because of substance use
10. the substance use is continued despite knowledge of having a persistent or recurrent physical or psychological problem that is likely to have been caused or exacerbated by the substance
11. Craving or a strong desire or urge to use a specific substance.

Opiate Withdrawal:
Detoxing from opiates is not a pleasant experience. When detoxing from these drugs it is necessary to obtain medical supervision, because abruptly ceasing to use the drug without medical supervision and treatment can lead to death. Depending on the length of use, the dose and frequency of use, quitting “cold turkey” can cause seizure, heart failure, permanent damage to the cardiopulmonary and nervous system and result in death. Symptoms include:

• Nausea and vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Chills and Sweating
• Irritability and panic attacks
• Intense muscle and bone pain

If you or someone you know is displaying these warning signs please reach out for HELP. We here at the Vince Carter Sanctuary offer Medically Supervised Detoxification, Residential Alcohol/Drug Treatment, Partial/Day Treatment for alcohol and drugs and Intensive Outpatient Treatment. You can contact us at http://www.vincecartersanctuary.org/ or 800 478 0331.


Resources
www.dsm5.org
www.drugabuse.gov