Signs of prescription drug addiction
Over the next few weeks Review will do a series on the signs and effects of substance abuse and addiction. This week, we focus on prescription medication addiction.
POLOKWANE – Over the next few weeks Review will do a series on the signs and effects of substance abuse and addiction.
This week, we focus on prescription medication addiction.
Over-the-counter (OTC) medicines such as painkillers and cough mixtures can be bought almost everywhere like pharmacies and chain stores by anyone.
These come in the form of tablets, capsules, syrups and powders.
Prescription medicines are a little more difficult to procure, as users need a doctor’s prescription in order to get them.
Getting a fix is harder to get when one is addicted to prescription medicine.
According to Meteffect Recovery Centre co-owner Scott Davison, who is a recovered prescription medicine addict, some addicts have been known to consult two or more doctors and pharmacists to feed their addictions, resorting to the devious behaviour that is characteristic of drug addicts generally.
Benzodiazepines (sleeping pills and tranquillisers) have rebound effects and after a while, the user will experience the very symptoms of anxiety for which they were originally taken.
The most commonly abused prescription medicines are painkillers, sedatives or sleeping tablets and stimulants. The combination painkillers that contain paracetamol, codeine and caffeine seem to be very popular among people who abuse analgesics (painkillers), Davison says.
Davison says there are different signs of prescription medication uses.
Opioid painkillers:
• Constipation.
• Depression.
• Low blood pressure.
• Decreased breathing rate.
• Confusion.
• Sweating.
• Poor concentration.
Sedatives and anti-anxiety medication:
• Drowsiness.
• Confusion.
• Unsteady walking.
• Poor judgement.
• Involuntary and rapid movement of the eyes.
• Dizziness.
Stimulants:
• Weight loss.
• Agitation.
• Irritability.
• Insomnia.
• High blood pressure.
• Irregular heartbeat.
• Restlessness.
• Impulsive behaviour.
The effects of prescription medication use are numerous. “It includes drowsiness, dizziness and confusion, as well as difficulty concentration and remembering things,” Davison says.
Other effects include:
• Nausea, headaches and unsteady gait.
• Sleeping problems.
• Anxiety and depression.
• Tolerance and dependence after a short period of use.
• Severe withdrawal symptoms.
• Overdose and death if used with alcohol, opioids or other depressant drugs.
Read about alcohol addiction in next week’s edition.
