Commonly Abused Prescription and OTC and Addiction to drugs

Drug misuse isn’t limited to street substances. Aside from marijuana, authorized medications are the most widely misused narcotics in the United States. Prescription and over-the-counter medications may both assist and heal us. However, if taken incorrectly, some may be addictive and deadly.

Maintain the safety of your family. Use this information to help you identify some often misunderstood medications. Because medications exist in various shapes, not all pills and tablets are shown. The drug images are not to scale.

Barbiturates

Examples of sedatives such as phenobarbital, pentobarbital (Nembutal), and sec barbital (Seconal). They aid in treating anxiety, sleep disorders, and certain seizures. However, if you take more than what is suggested, you may get hooked. High doses might cause respiratory problems, particularly if combined with alcohol. Get treatment if you can’t function without barbiturates. Withdrawal symptoms might be harmful.

Benzodiazepines

Benzodiazepines are another sedative that may aid with anxiety, panic attacks, and sleep issues. Examples include alprazolam (Xanax), clonazepam (Klonopin), and diazepam (Valium). They function effectively and are less dangerous than barbiturates. However, when taken excessively, even when recommended, they may develop physical dependence and addiction. It is risky to discontinue these drugs quickly. They are just for the individual who has the prescription.

Medications for Sleep

If you have difficulties sleeping, medications such as zolpidem (Ambien), eszopiclone (Lunesta), and zaleplon (Sonata) may assist. However, if you use them for longer than your doctor recommends, you may become reliant on them and need them to sleep. The best method to cope with sleep difficulties is to practice sleep hygiene habits. Although they are not as addictive as certain sleeping drugs, physicians are afraid they will be abused if not taken as recommended. Some people utilize natural products like Delta 9 for sleep, but there aren’t any studies that prove this has any merit.

Morphine and codeine

Pain relievers, notable opioids, are among the most widely misused prescription medications. These medications relieve pain, but in excessive quantities, they may also provide a euphoric high and hazardous adverse effects. For severe pain, doctors frequently give morphine, while for moderate pain or coughing, they commonly prescribe codeine. Morphine brands include Avinza, Kadian, and M.S. Contin.

Oxycodone is another opioid pain reliever. It is found in medicines such as OxyContin, Percocet, Percodan, and Roxicodone. People who misuse oxycodone crush it, snort it, or inject it, dramatically increasing the danger of overdose. Street names for OxyContin include “oxy,” “O.C.,” and “oxy cotton,” and “perks” for Percocet or Percodan.

Lortab, Vicodin, Lorcet

These medications include the opioid hydrocodone as well as acetaminophen. Drowsiness and constipation are side effects of opioids. High dosages may induce life-threatening respiratory issues. The street names for Vicodin include “vike” and “Watson-387.” If you feel unwell, as if you had the flu, your body may have developed a dependence after discontinuing any of these opioid prescriptions. Consult your doctor if you believe you need these drugs for purposes other than pain management.

Amphetamines

Stimulants such as the amphetamines Adderall, Adderall X.RDextroamphetamine, and Mydriasis, when prescribed, may aid patients with ADHD. However, some individuals take amphetamines to get high, increase energy and alertness, or lose weight. Stimulants may lead to addiction. High dosages may result in dangerously high body temperatures, irregular heartbeats, and even cardiac arrest. Amphetamines are also known as “bennies,” “black beauties,” and “speed.”

Methylphenidate

It is a stimulant found in ADHD medications such as Concerta, Daytrana, Metadate, Methylin, and Ritalin. “MPH,” “R-ball,” “Skippy,” “the clever drug,” and “vitamin R” are some of its monikers. Combining stimulants with typical decongestants might result in elevated blood pressure or an erratic pulse.

Dextromethorphan (DXM)

Prescription medicines are not the only issue. Dextromethorphan is a popular constituent in over-the-counter cold and cough medications; it aids in cough suppression. However, excessive amounts might create euphoria and hallucinations. Because cough syrup is so common in medicine cabinets, it’s popular among teenagers. High dosages may also induce vomiting, a fast heartbeat, and, in rare cases, brain damage.

Pseudoephedrine

It is a decongestant found in several over-the-counter cold medications. While it might help relieve a congested nose, it is also a component of illicit methamphetamine (“meth”). The legislation now regulates where and how you may obtain pseudoephedrine products. That is why certain cold drugs are kept behind the counter, and you may have to sign for them.

Identifying a Suspicious Pill

Have you found a pill lying around the home or in your teen’s jacket? The Pill Identification Tool on WebMD may be of use. However, since there are hundreds of medications and thousands of pills and tablets in various forms, colors, and sizes, you may need the assistance of a pharmacist to identify it.

Pills for Weight Loss

 It has a similar molecular structure to amphetamines, a stimulant used to treat ADHD and as a study aid to remain awake. If you aren’t taking amphetamines for a medicinal cause, phentermine may generate a false red signal in your drug test.

Puffed Poppy Seeds

Morphine and codeine are naturally present in these little black seeds. A poppy seed bagel, for example, may cause you to test positive for both opioids for up to a day after eating it. It is more likely to occur in laboratories that continue to use older, lower standards for detecting such chemicals.

Mouthwash

Ethanol, a kind of simple grain alcohol, is often found in many liquid pharmaceuticals, vanilla essence, and breath-cleaning products. Today’s drug tests may identify even tiny levels of alcohol for extended periods after exposure. If you consume anything containing ethyl alcohol, your breath, blood, or urine sample may be flagged for probable symptoms of intoxication. If you use alcohol-based hand sanitizers daily, the same thing might happen.

Antidepressants

Sertraline (Zoloft) treats depression, panic attacks, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and other conditions. Some drug screenings may not be sensitive enough to distinguish between sertraline and benzodiazepines. The latter is an older tranquilizer medication often discovered in opioid overdose victims. The erroneous test result might occur for many days after you stop taking your antidepressant.

Conclusion

Concerned that someone you care about may be misusing drugs? The best course of action is to inquire directly. Keep a lookout for misuse symptoms, such as changes in behavior or missing medications.

Many children believe that ordinary home drugs or even prescription medications are safer than street drugs since they are legal. Explain the dangers. Prevent complications by cleaning up your medication cabinet. Get rid of any medications you don’t need and keep track of the ones you do.