Prescripcion drug abuse

PRESCRIPCION DRUG ABUSE

Due to their potential for abuse and addiction, many prescription drugs have been categorized by the US Drug Enforcement Administration in the same category as opium or cocaine.

These include Ritalin and Dexedrine (stimulants), and the painkillers OxyContin, Demerol and Roxanol.

Many illegal street drugs were at one time used or prescribed by doctors or psychiatrists but were later banned when the evidence of their harmful effects could no longer be ignored.

Examples are heroin, cocaine, LSD, methamphetamine and Ecstasy.

Abuse of prescription drugs can be even riskier than the abuse of illegally manufactured drugs. The high potency of some of the synthetic (man-made) drugs available as prescription drugs creates a high overdose risk. This is particularly true of OxyContin and similar painkillers, where overdose deaths more than doubled over a five-year period.

Many people don’t realize that distributing or selling prescription drugs (other than by a doctor) is a form of drug dealing and as illegal as selling heroin or cocaine, with costly fines and jail time. When the drug dealing results in death or serious bodily injury, dealers can face life imprisonment.

TYPES OF ABUSED PRESCRIPTION DRUGS

DEPRESSANTS

Sometimes called “downers” these drugs come in multicolored tablets and capsules or in liquid form. Some drugs in this category, such as Zyprexa, Seroquel and Haldol, are known as “major tranquilizers” or “antipsychotics,” as they are supposed to reduce the symptoms of mental illness. Depressants such as Xanax, Klonopin, Halcion and Librium are often referred to as “benzos” (short for benzodiazepines*).

Other depressants, such as Amytal, Nembutal and Seconal, are classed as barbiturates drugs that are used as sedatives and sleeping pills.

Some of the well-known brand and street names:

Brand Names

• Xanax

• Valium

• Halcion

• Librium

• Ativan

• Klonopin

• Amytal

• Nembutal

• Seconal

• Phenobarbital

Street Names

•Candy

•Downers

•Sleeping pills

•Tranks

• Barbs

• Reds

• Red Birds

• Phennies

• Tooies

• Yellows

• Yellow Jackets

Depressants: Short-Term effects

• Slow brain function

• Lowered blood pressure

• Confusion

• Dizziness

• Fever

• Visual disturbances

• Disorientation, lack of coordination

• Difficulty or inability to urinate

• Slowed pulse and breathing

• Poor concentration

• Fatigue

• Slurred speech

• Sluggishness

• Dilated pupils

• Depression

• Addiction

Higher doses can cause impairment of memory judgment and coordination, irritability. paranoia, and suicidal thoughts, some people experience the opposite of the intended effect, such as agitation or aggression.

Using sedatives (drugs used to calm or soothe) and tranquilizers with other substances particularly alcohol, can slow breathing and the heart rate and even lead to death.

Depressants: Long-Term effects

Tolerance to many depressants can develop rapidly, with larger doses needed to achieve the same effect.

The user, trying to reach the same high, may raise the dose to a level that results in coma or death by overdose.

Long-term use of depressants can produce depression, chronic fatigue, breathing difficulties, sexual problems and sleep problems. As a dependency on the drug increases, cravings, anxiety or panic are common if the user is unable to get more.

Withdrawal symptoms include insomnia, weakness and nausea.

For continual and high-dose users, agitation, high body temperature, delirium, hallucinations and convulsions can occur. Unlike withdrawal from most drugs, withdrawal from depressants can be life-threatening.

These drugs can also increase the risk of high blood sugar, diabetes, and weight gain (instances of up to 100 pounds have been reported).

OPIOIDS AND MORPHINE DERIVATIVES

Opioids are drugs that act on the nervous system to relieve pain. Continued use and abuse can lead to physical dependence and withdrawal symptoms. They come in tablets, capsules or liquid.

Some of the well-known brand and street names:

Brand Names

• Fiorional with Codeine, Robitussin A-C, Tylenol with Codeine , Empirin with Codeine, Actiq, Duragesic, Sublimaze, OxyContin,Percodan, Percocet, Tylox, Dilaudid, Demerol, Roxanol, Duramorph.

Street Names

Captain Cody, Cody, Schoolboy, Doors & Fours, Pancakes & Syrup, Loads, Tango and Cash, China white, Friend, Jackpot, TNT, Apache, China girl, Dance fever, Goodfella, Murder 8, M, Miss Emma, Monkey, White Stuff, Ox 80, Oxycat, Hillbilly heroin, Percs, Perks, Demmies, Pain killer, Juice, Dillies

Short-term effects of opioids and morphine derivatives include:

• Drowsiness

• Slowed breathing

• Constipation

• Unconsciousness

• Nausea

• Coma

Opiods and Morphine derivatives Long-Term effects.

Continued use or abuse of opioids can result in physical dependence and addiction. The body adapts to the presence of the drug and withdrawal symptoms occur if use is reduced or stopped. These include restlessness, muscle and bone pain, insomnia, diarrhea, vomiting, and cold flashes, with goose bumps (“cold turkey”). Tolerance can also occur, meaning that long-term users must increase their doses to achieve the same high.

STIMULANTS

Stimulants, sometimes called “uppers,” temporarily increase alertness and energy. The most commonly used street drugs that fall into this category are cocaine and amphetamines.

Prescription stimulants come in tablets or capsules.

When abused, they are swallowed, injected in liquid form or crushed and snorted.

Some of the well-known brand and street names:

Brand Names

Ritalin, Concerta, Biphetamine, Dexedrine

Street Names

R-ball, Skippy, The smart drug, Vitamin R, JIF, Kibbles and bits, Speed, Truck drivers, Bennies, Black beauties, Crosses, Hearts, LA turnaround, Uppers.

SHORT-TERM EFFECTS

The short-term effects of stimulants include exhaustion, apathy and depression–the

“down” that follows the “up.” It is this immediate and lasting exhaustion that quickly leads the stimulant user to want the drug again. Soon he is not trying to get “high,” he is only trying to get “well to feel any energy at all.

LONG-TERM EFFECTS

Stimulants can be addictive, Repeated high doses of some stimulants over a short period can lead to feelings of hostility or paranoia. Such doses may also result in dangerously high body temperatures and an irregular heartbeat.

ANTIDEPRESSANTS

Another category of prescription drugs that are sometimes abused are antidepressants . These include Prozac, Paxil, alexa, Zoloft, Effexor and Remeron. These come in multicolored capsules and tablets.

Studies have shown that the effects of ese drugs can include:

• Insomnia

• Irritability

• Nervousness and anxiety

• Violent thoughts and actions

• Agitation

• Suicidal thoughts or suicide

• Tremors

• Hostility

• Sweating

• Irregular heartbeat

• Aggression

• Criminal behavior

• Confusion and incoherent thoughts

• Paranoia

• Hallucinations

• Psychosis

• Akathisia (a painful inner agitation; inability to sit still)

ABUSE OF OVER THE COUNTER DRUGS

Over-the-counter cold and cough medicines containing the drug Dextromethorphan (DXM) have also been abused. DXM is sold in syrup, gel and tablet form. When sold on the internet as powder, it is particularly risky because of the uncertainty of its composition and dose. It is found in more than 100 products; Coricidin and Robitussin are abused the most.

Brand Names

• Coricidin

• Robitussin

Street Names

• DXM

• CCC

• Triple C

• Skittles

• Robo

• Poor Man’s PCP

COUGH SYRUP (DXM) EFFECTS

• Visual

• Physical

• hallucinations

• dependence (with Hyper-excitability prolonged use)

• Insomnia

• Dizziness

• Lethargy

• Slurred speech

• Delusions

• Sweating

• High blood pressure

•Liver and brain damage

Mixed with other drugs, cough syrup can also cause central nervous system and heart problems.

Combined with alcohol, it is particularly dangerous and can result in death.