Most people who take prescription medications use them responsibly. But when abused—that is, taken in a manner or dosage other than what was prescribed—prescription medications can produce serious adverse health effects, including addiction. Commonly abused are opiate classes of drugs, such as OxyContin, Hydrocodone (Vicodin), and Methadone. These medications are intended to be used to relieve pain, but their euphoric side effects can create serious addiction. CNS depressants (e.g., tranquilizers, sedatives) such as Xanax, Valium, Ativan, and Klonopin are often abused as well. Typically prescribed as sleep aids or relief from anxiety or seizure concern, CNS depressants are highly addictive given their sedating effects.
How do Prescription Drugs Affect the Brain?
Opioids act by attaching to specific proteins called opioid receptors, which are found in the brain, spinal cord, and gastrointestinal tract. When these compounds attach to certain opioid receptors in the brain and spinal cord, they can effectively change the way a person experiences pain. In addition, opioid medications can affect regions of the brain that mediate what one perceives as pleasure, resulting in the initial euphoria or sense of well-being that many opioids produce.
Video: Hydrocodone (Vicodin, Vicoprofen and Lortab asb)
Hydrocodone is a semi-synthetic opioid derived from either of two naturally occurring opiates, codeine and thebaine. Hydrocodone is a narcotic analgesic (pain reliever) and antitussive (cough suppressant). It is commonly available in tablet, capsule, and syrup form, and is often compounded with other analgesics like paracetamol (also known as acetaminophen) or ibuprofen.
Repeated abuse of opioids can lead to addiction—a chronic, relapsing disease characterized by compulsive drug seeking and abuse despite its known harmful consequences. Taking a large single dose could cause severe respiratory depression or death.
Featured Video: The life of a Prescription Drug Addict
"It's not like I'm buying dugs off the street, or addicted to heroin or cocaine. These medications are prescribed to me ... I have to take my medicaton"
(Prescribed by four different doctors who don't know about each other.)
Most of the CNS depressants have similar actions in the brain: they enhance the actions of the neurotransmitter GABA, which works by decreasing brain activity. It's your brains natrual sedative. The more GABA, the less activity. Although different classes of CNS depressants work in unique ways, it is ultimately their common ability to increase GABA that produces a drowsy or calming effect.
What Treatment Options Exist?
Individuals who abuse or are addicted to prescription opioid medications can be treated. Initially, they may need to undergo medically supervised detoxification to help reduce withdrawal symptoms; however, that is just the first step. Options for effectively treating addiction to prescription opioids are drawn from research on treating heroin addiction. Behavioral rehab programs, usually combined with medications, have also been proven effective. Currently used medications are Methadone and Buprenorphine, which are synthetic opids, along with Naltrexone and Naloxone, which are opioid receptor blockers that counteracts the effects of opioids and can be used to treat overdoses. Although a behavioral or pharmacological approach alone may be effective for treating drug addiction, research shows that a combination of both, when available, is most effective.
In addition to medical supervision during withdrawal, counseling in an inpatient or outpatient setting can help people who are overcoming addiction to CNS depressants. For example, cognitive-behavioral therapy has been used successfully to help individuals in rehab for abuse of benzodiazepines. This type of therapy focuses on modifying a patient’s thinking, expectations, and behaviors while simultaneously increasing his or her skills for coping with various life stressors.
Drug Rehab Centers Locator - Drug and Alcohol Addiction, Dual Diagnosis Programs and Treatment Resources
The Drug Rehab Centers Locator is a public addiction treatment resource guide dedicated to helping addicts and alcoholics recover from drug addiction, alcoholism, dual diagnosis, eating disorders and co-occurring disorders. We offer a comprehensive directory of drug treatment centers, alcohol rehab programs, drug rehab and drug rehabilitation centers, dual diagnosis treatment programs, and recovery centers for eating disorders and other substance abuse related disorders.
