Originally written on: Wednesday, 25 November 2009 Last edited on: Thursday, 28 November 2019

Prescription Drugs Detox Clinics In the United States

There is a wide range of prescribed drugs being used and abused such as benzodiazepines, antidepressants, sleeping pills, and others, and have been in some cases negligent in over prescribing these to patients without first offering alternative methods of handling stress, anxiety, depression, or insomnia. Patients who came in with a complaint of sleeping badly have ended up in a short time inadvertently addicted to a heavy medication and their sleep difficulties still unhandled. The market value of prescription drugs now ranges in trillions of dollars yearly. There is not one single prescription drug which can be easily stopped once the person is dependant upon it and this is why detox with medical monitoring is necessary. A doctor can sometimes help a patient with a tapering procedure, as in an outpatient style program, but even this is a difficult situation to have success with. Use of a detox staffed with adequate care persons, good diet, other holistic means of pain management, and other symptom management and care, ensures the most successful outcome.

The safest way to detox off any prescription medication is to enlist a medically monitored facility to avoid seizures, hallucinations, insomnia that lasts for months, brain zaps and countless other withdrawal symptoms. Speak to one of our counsellors who can help you find a suitable detox facility to safely put an end to prescription medication addiction.

PRESCRIPTION MEDICATIONS BRIEF DESCRIPTION

Prescription drugs that are ill-used or used for non-medical reasons can make an alteration to brain activity and lead to dependence. Commonly abused classes of prescription drugs include opioids (frequently prescribed to treat pain), central nervous system central nervous system depressants (frequently prescribed to treat anxiety and sleep disorders), and stimulants (prescribed to treat narcolepsy, ADHD, and obesity). Abuse of prescription drugs to get high has become progressively widespread among teens and young adults. As the Nation’s most prevalent illegal drug problem, the abuse of prescription painkillers now ranks second behind marijuana.

There are three classes of prescription drugs that are most commonly abused:

* Commonly used opioids include oxycodone (OxyContin), propoxyphene (Darvon), hydrocodone (Vicodin), hydromorphone (Dilaudid), meperidine (Demerol), and diphenoxylate (Lomotil).

* Common central nervous system depressants include barbiturates such as pentobarbital sodium (Nembutal), and benzodiazepines such as diazepam (Valium) and alprazolam (Xanax).

* Common stimulants include dextroamphetamine (Dexedrine) and methylphenidate (Ritalin).

EFFECTS

Long-term use of central nervous system depressants may lead to addiction and physical dependence. When consumed in high doses, stimulants can lead to compulsive use, irregular heartbeat, paranoia, and dangerously high body temperatures.

STATISTICS AND TRENDS

The misuse of prescription drugs such as central nervous system depressants, stimulants, and opioids is a common problem throughout the United States. The average American uses his or her prescription as directed and responsibly, yet millions who abuse these medications, become dependent on them and addicted. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), in 2017, an estimated 18 million Americans misused prescription drugs. The 2017 National Survey on Drug Use and Health showed two million Americans were abusing prescription pain medication. Additionally, over one million misused prescription stimulants, and over 1.5 million misused tranquilizers, and over 270,000 Americans were misusing sedatives.

The reasons for a high prevalence of use does vary depending on region, age, gender, and other factors. The misuse of prescription drugs is highest among young adults aged 18 to 25. Over 14% of young adults in America reported nonmedical use of prescription drugs in the past year. Among youth aged 12 to 17, close to 5% reported nonmedical use of prescription drugs. Prescription drugs are among the most commonly abused drugs by 12th graders, after alcohol, marijuana, and tobacco. More than 80% of older adults use at least one prescription medication daily. Over 50% of older adults are taking more than five medications daily. Prescription drug abuse leads to endless problems physically and psychologically, requiring extensive drug treatment.

A number of national studies show that the willful abuse of prescription drugs, such as pain relievers, tranquillizers, stimulants and sedatives, to get high is a growing concern, specifically among teens. Source: National Survey on Drug Use and Health, in 2006, 16.2 million Americans age 12 and older took a prescription pain reliever, tranquillizer, stimulant, or sedative for non-medical purposes at least once in the year prior to being surveyed. Source: Monitoring the Future found 2.7% of 8th graders, 7.2% of 10th graders, and 9.6% of 12th graders had abused Vicodin and 1.8% of 8th graders, 3.9% of 10th graders, and 5.2% of 12th graders had abused OxyContin for non-medical purposes at least once in the year prior to being surveyed.

Teens misuse of prescription drugs

Prescription-drug abuse by young adults and teens is a major problem in the U.S. This is an extract of the report by the Partnership for a Drug-Free America's annual tracking study:

• 1 in five teens has abused a prescription (Rx) pain medication.
• 1 in five reports abusing prescription stimulants and tranquilizers.
• 1 in ten has abused cough medication.

Many teenagers think these medications are safe because they have monitored and tested but taking them without a doctor's prescription to get high or “self-medicate” and then they addicted to prescription drugs. These medications can be as dangerous if not more and addictive as using street narcotics and other illegal drugs.

Prescription Diet Pills Treatment In the United States

Typically, a person will go through long periods of time to achieve healthy weight loss to help overcome obesity. In some cases, a person will take diet pills to assist in the weight loss; however, these pills may not be appropriate for every person wanting to lose weight. Some prescription diet pills have mild side effects, and in some cases can have severe side effects. The individual using these pills will experience different reactions at any given time.

Types of Prescription Diet Pills

The majority of the diet pills on the market today are approved by the FDA (Food and Drug Administration). These pills are normally only prescribed for short-term use, being weeks or months; however, it is not uncommon for users to continue taking them for long periods of time, months to even years. The most widely present diet pills available are appetite suppressants. The main purpose of these drugs is to give the user the feeling of not being hungry, or wanting to eat all the time. They can be obtained in tablet form, and even in extended release form, which means longer periods of the drug going through the persons system. Normally, they are obtained through a doctor prescription, but these pills can also be bought over the counter. Another popular type of prescription diet pills is the types that are fat absorption inhibitors. These drugs typically block about 30% of the dietary fat from being absorbed by the user. Like any drug, there are dangers in taking them, especially for long periods of time.

Side Effects of Prescription Diet Pills

The side effects are normally very mild, but as your body is adjusting to the pills, the user can experience quite unpleasant side effects. Such disagreeable side effects can include the following:

• Increased heart rate
• Increased blood pressure
• Sweating
• Constipation
• Insomnia
• Excessive thirst
• Drowsiness
• Headache
• Anxiety

Because of these side effects, prescription diet pills are not meant to be used for long periods of time. The risk of these side effects intensifying is too great when individuals are addicted to prescription diet pills, when diet pills are used long term. In fact, taking these pills too often and in large quantities will lead to an overdose. The symptoms of an overdose are confusion, convulsions, hallucinations, and eventually coma.

Source: http://www.drugfree.org