Prescription drug use is one of the most critical public health issues in which devastating effects are left behind for individuals, families, and communities as a whole. It is manifested by abuse of prescription drugs, thereby resulting in harmful physical, psychological, and social effects. Given that we are medical practitioners, it is only fair for us to conduct research on this topic and subsequently enlighten our patients on the complications of using prescription drugs. The medical profession should properly assess and supervise individuals who are prescribed controlled drug substances to prevent prescription drug abuse. There is also a need to have patients educated about the proper use of medication and compliance with instructions that may be given by their health caregivers.
What is prescription drug abuse?
Prescription drug abuse is the misuse of a legally prescribed medication. This may include its use illicitly, higher than the recommended dose, and nonmedical uses. Prescription drug abuse may consist of mixing medications without medical guidance, which can be life-threatening.
Commonly Abused Prescription Drugs:
1. Painkillers: These are pain control drugs. These include opioids, including codeine, morphine, and oxycodone, as well as non-opioid painkillers such as ibuprofen and acetaminophen. When used in higher dosages, these medications cause a euphoric feeling and calmness that makes them desirable for abuse.
2. Stimulants: These drugs are commonly administered to patients who suffer from Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) such as Adderall and Ritalin. When taken as directed, the drugs can sharpen focus and alertness; however, other doses may result in euphoria with the possibility of developing abuse affection.
3. Sedatives: Such medications are prescribed to a patient suffering from anxiety or sleep disorders, and they include drugs such as Xanax and Valium. When properly used, they can provide a relaxing and sedating effect; however, when overused, their side effects are drowsiness and relaxation of the mental process—impairment in judgment.
Symptoms
The symptoms of prescription drug abuse may vary depending on which medication is being abused. This is what happens if you take too much hgh:
1. Drowsiness: Most of the drugs that are used as medication for drug use have sedative effects, which will always make a person sleepy. The danger is especially high when a person drives or controls dangerous mechanisms.
2. Poor concentration: Prescription drugs induce cognitive alterations leading to attention concentration deficits.3. Dizziness: In addition to that, one is likely to be attacked by dizziness and vertigo as the effects of some prescription drugs intensify.
4. Constipation: Among the opioid analgesics, one of such side-effects capable of leading to a lot of distress and other problems is constipation.
5. Nausea: While drugs such as this cause vomiting and feelings of nausea, these symptoms are more common when the drug is used excessively.
6. Irregular heartbeat: Stimulants result in an abnormal heart rate and blood pressure.
7. High blood pressure: Similarly, overuse of prescription drugs may lead to hypertension, and this can be risky for individuals who are already at a high cardio of vascular diseases.
8. High body temperature: The use of stimulants can increase body temperature, causing sweating, dehydration, and heat stroke, which at times is potentially hazardous.
9. Reduced appetite: Over-use of some prescription drugs tends to lower appetite causing loss in weight and malnutrition.
In other instances, prescription drug abuse can also result in serious issues. For instance, HGH overdose results in muscle or joint pain, cancer, and diabetes risk. Since HGH is a hormone and not the usual prescription drug, it is never prescribed for pain management or other conditions as with ordinary brand drugs, but off-label use and abuse create health issues.
Risk factors:
There are some aspects that may contribute to an increased risk of prescription abuse in a person. These may include:
1. Past or present addictions: Those people who have a past record of substance abuse, whether it be drug addiction, alcoholism, or any other form of addictive behavior, tend to find pleasure in prescription drugs.
2. Family history of substance abuse: Genetics can also contribute to addiction, and individuals with a kindred background of substance abuse are more likely to become addicts.
3. Preexisting mental health conditions: Certain mental health disorders like depression, anxiety, or bipolar disorder make people more vulnerable to using prescription drugs in a bid for relief.
4. Social pressure or environment: Social pressure may make it seem as though people must use prescription drugs to socialize or improve performance in some environments, such as at parties or on their jobs.
5. Easier access to prescription drugs: Sometimes, people can get prescription drugs from family or friends and may have a tendency to abuse them.
6. Lack of knowledge about prescription drugs: Most individuals do not take note of the dangers and side effects that may be caused by prescription drugs, hence taking them wrongly.
Conclusion
However, prescription drug abuse has become the order of society, thus becoming a duty for medical professionals to educate their patients about its consequences. Prescription drug abuse means using prescription drugs against their intended medical use or exceeding them. For instance, taking more than the prescribed dosages or time without a prescription. Addiction is one of the major problems associated with prescription drug abuse. Such prescription drugs as opioids, benzodiazepines, and stimulants may cause euphoria while taken in more doses than one is prescribed. This can easily result in dependence and tolerance, causing one to continue consuming the medication in order for him or her to maintain such feelings. In addition, prescription drug abuse can result in physical and mental side effects. If prescription drugs are misused, they can cause respiratory depression, impaired liver function, and other severe health complications. It also enhances the possibility of accidents and injuries resulting from distorted judgment as well as motor skills.