Prescription Drugs

The road to addiction is one filled with intricate nuances, and each individual's experience is unique. However, for many people struggling with opioid use, OxyContin has played a key role in their dependency and addiction. Developed and prescribed to provide long-term pain relief, OxyContin is a powerful opioid that can quickly become habit-forming, even when taken as directed. The uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms associated with suddenly stopping this medication leave many people trapped in the harmful cycle of opioid use disorder.

There is nothing like getting a good night’s sleep and feeling refreshed and rejuvenated in the morning. But sometimes, insomnia can strike, making it difficult to fall asleep or stay asleep. When this happens, many people turn to Ambien, a well-known sleep aid that helps individuals get the rest they need without tossing and turning until the first light of day.

Today, everyone’s nervous systems are constantly assaulted by chronic stress so many live under. Add on top a substance abuse problem, and our nervous systems need some serious TLC. To understand how substance abuse affects our nervous systems, first, it is helpful to understand some of the basics of the nervous system. The nervous system is the vast network of nerves and cells that control the communication between the brain, spinal cord, and the rest of the body. The brain and spinal cord make up the central nervous system. All the nerves throughout the body outside of the brain and spinal cord make up the peripheral nervous system. Nerve cells within the central nervous system are referred to as “neurons” and the “neurotransmitters” are the chemical messengers that the brain uses to communicate between neurons and the rest of the body. The brain is like the control center of your body, and it is constantly sending electric signals to regulate your body’s systems and communicate with your body to determine how you feel.

Valium, or Diazepam, falls into the category of prescription drugs known as benzodiazepines. Known on the streets as benzos, these drug types have a sedating effect. In the medical world, Valium is often prescribed by doctors to help with symptoms including muscle spasms, seizures, anxiety and panic attacks. As with many prescription medications, however, Valium can become a drug of choice for abuse if it’s using isn’t carefully monitored. If you or someone you know is abusing Valium, the issue shouldn’t be taken lightly. Valium abuse can be fatal, and seeking support is often a matter of life and death.

Vicodin is a medication that contains hydrocodone and acetaminophen. Typically, it is used in a medical setting to treat pain. Vicodin is an opioid and, as such, has a high risk of addiction. Not only do opiates like Vicodin create physical dependency. People become mentally addicted to these medications as well, due to the feelings of euphoria experienced when taking them. Addictions to pain medications like Vicodin commonly develop after having received the prescription from a surgery or an injury. For those experiencing acute and/or chronic pain, opioids like Vicodin can calm anxiety, cultivating feelings of relief, relaxation and well-being. If you are or will soon be prescribed to these kinds of medications, it is important to know what to expect in order to use them safely and avoid physical and/or mental dependency.

The opioid epidemic has sparked a lot of discussion on how we can monitor prescription drug abuse, but there has become a rise in illegal opioid use as well, and it’s even taking thousands of Americans lives. For example, the transition from prescription to opioids to heroin off the street has grown, as it’s become harder for just anyone to obtain prescription opioids – and heroin seems to be a bit cheaper, too. Unfortunately, over 70,000 deaths occurred in 2017 because of opioids – but the majority of the deaths that occurred were related to a drug called fentanyl, which is incredibly dangerous. Put briefly, fentanyl is a painkiller that is similar to morphine but much more potent. There are different names that it goes by in prescription form, but it’s street name often goes by Apache, China Girl, Dance Fever, Friend and more. Fentanyl may be prescribed by the doctor to be taken through injection, lozenges or through a patch, especially if a person just recently had surgery and needs something to help ease the after-pain. It’s incredibly easy to misuse, however, and that’s when it becomes deadly. Fentanyl was created around 1960 and is inexpensively made in a lab. Because of this, various drug cartels have capitalized on it – and many have started making their own version of it, even laced with other drugs like cocaine. As one could imagine, this can be incredibly toxic as a person may not fully know what all it’s mixed with – and if a bad chemical reaction occurs, it could take a life. Additionally, despite common belief, there is no way to tell that fentanyl is solely what’s been given to a person. An actual lab test would need to be conducted in order to be completely sure.  Fentanyl doesn’t work any differently in the brain than other drugs would – it still triggers an influx of feel-good chemicals that are in the brain, resulting in the brain wanting more and more of it. The difference, however, is how quickly the drug’s chemicals bind to opioid receptors in the brain. When a person takes fentanyl, the high is immediate – and that’s another part of what makes it so deadly.  With such a strong potency, this means that fentanyl would need to be taken at an extremely low dose in order to achieve a similar “high” – but because the amount is so little, many people aren’t aware of how important it is to measure out each dose, and many unfortunate cases revolve around individuals taking whatever amount they believe would be appropriate – despite recommendations. Aside from binding to opioid receptors rapidly, fentanyl produces a number of side effects – such as nausea and vomiting, sedation, and respiratory depression (respiratory arrest is how most people die from this drug). The rising number of deaths have left many devastated. Studies over the years have shown that Florida and Ohio are amongst the top states which have experienced such steep increases in fentanyl use. Overdose deaths from fentanyl use have increased dramatically, placing so many lives at stake and leaving so many families to mourn the loss of their loved one. Physicians have explored the ways in which we could combat the fentanyl issue, one of which has involved educating the greater community more on what fentanyl is and the dangerous effects that it can produce. Another has involved the increased use of treatment for those battling with addiction, including the potential of using medications like Naltrexone to help a person feel less pain as they detox from drugs. Researchers, policymakers and community leaders alike are working together to find ways to combat this issue – because we can’t continue losing lives. Of course, everyone in our surrounding communities can truly work together to help protect others from the harms of fentanyl – because nothing will change until we take the time to help one another step away from this deadly drug.

Methamphetamine (also known as meth) is an incredibly scary drug to consider if you’re loved one is struggling with an addiction. Approximately 1.2 million people report using meth each year, and while meth use has seen a decrease over the years, it’s still a major topic of concern. One of the most challenging situations we could ever experience is to discover that our sibling, friend, coworker, spouse or other family member has been dabbling in substance abuse – and illict drugs like methamphetamine can bring about terrifying thoughts and fears for our loved one’s safety. If your loved one has decided to seek treatment, it’s important to note that there is still hope for them to recover. It will be a long road – but it’s worth it.

Vicodin is a prescription narcotic that involves a semi-synthetic opioid, called hydrocodone. Vicodin is considered one of the most addictive painkillers, and tends to be used for high levels of pain that occur after an injury or surgery, for example. As a tablet or in liquid form, vicodin can bring about symptoms of drowsiness, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, constipation and more – and while it can help reduce those feelings of discomfort that come with pain, it can also lead to dangerous risk levels for addiction. In many cases, it’s because patients begin taking more than prescribed – but for others, the quest for vicodin comes in taking someone else’s medication. The Truth, a movement that has been working for several years to combat addiction, published the story of a young girl who battled Vicodin addiction after having knee surgery from playing soccer. When her Vicodin prescription ran out, she would take drastic measures – even going as far as to hurt herself – to be given more medication. If you or a loved one are taking Vicodin, it’s important to recognize some of the warning signs that could lead to addiction, so that help can be sought sooner rather than later.

Amphetamines are stimulant drugs, and they essentially speed up messages sent through pathways in the brain and body. Most often, amphetamines are prescribed to treat conditions like attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) or narcolepsy, and it’s also known by nicknames such as “speed”, “fast”, “up” and more. The Alcohol and Drug Foundation (ADF) of Australia explains that amphetamines may come in the form of powder, tablets, crystals and capsules; these drugs can also be taken in a variety of ways, such as swallowed, dabbed on to the gums, inhaled through the nose, injected or smoked. There are many side effects that come with using amphetamines, and that’s what makes they so addictive:

Vicodin is often prescribed for pain and contains hydrocodone and acetaminophen. An opioid, Vicodin is at high risk for addiction and dependence – and it works by changing our perceptions on pain as well as our emotional responses to it. Vicodin can create feelings of euphoria for many people, which is where it brings a strong pull towards dependence. For many people, Vicodin addiction stems from their prescription they’ve been given after having a surgery; Dr. Laurence Westreich, an associate professor at New York University, told CBS News, “Some people have chronic pain and opioids feel good. They help with anxiety – a lot of people say they give a general feeling of well-being.” The opioid crisis sparked major concern amongst many people given prescription medications, but it’s not just the fact that they’re prescriptions that make drugs like Vicodin so dangerous. Oftentimes, it’s the misuse of prescription drugs that takes people towards a place of addiction. If you or a loved one have been prescribed Vicodin, keep the following tips in mind:

Diazepam, otherwise known as Valium, is a benzodiazepine (often called a benzo) – a sedative, tranquilizer, and a depressant. It’s available by prescription and can help with a variety of health issues such as: muscle spasms, seizures, panic attacks and more. As with any prescription medication, however, Valium can be easily abused if a person comes to crave the euphoric effects of taking higher doses. Whether you’re currently in recovery from addiction or you have a loved one who has struggled with Valium addiction, it can be helpful to gain some insight on how the drug itself can be so habit-forming. A few years ago, a young woman shared her story with Vice about becoming addicted to Valium. She explained that it all started when she started feeling tired often as she was navigating school life. When she took the drug, it would ease her panic attacks, her anxiety, her headaches and more. She felt as though Valium was the answer to all of her problems – but she realized that once she was addicted, normalcy was hard to achieve. She stated, “…With increased tolerance to benzos comes decreased normality when you’re not taking them. I reached a point where, if I didn’t take Valium, I’d feel more panicky than when I started using them as a crutch.” The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) explains that Valium weakens a group of neurons in the brain – the brain’s ventral tegmental area (VTA) - which is typically responsible for preventing excessive dopamine production (“feel-good” chemicals in the brain). This means that when Valium is taken, the more dopamine is produced in the brain – and the neurons that typically regulate it are now rendered feeble. The flooding of dopamine in the brain is what eventually causes the brain to experience cravings. Cells in the brain respond to the increased about of dopamine produced and eventually need more and more as they become used to the initial doses of the drug that were taken. If you’re struggling with Valium addiction, seek the help you need today. Recovery is possible – you’re not alone.

College brings new responsibility, experiences, and freedom to young adults. It is the first chance for many to really experience life away from home without restrictions. Some students use this opportunity to grow and learn who they are as an adult. Others abuse this freedom, and find college campuses are a place to party and experiment with illegal drugs. While college is an exciting time, it also carries added stress. Full-time students are twice as likely to suffer drug abuse as young adults who don't attend college. Stress, heavy course loads, and peer pressure are some of the reasons college students begin using drugs.