Prescription Drugs : Dangers And Drugs

Opioid drugs are some of the most widespread pain medications that we have in this country; indeed, the fact is that opioid analgesic prescriptions have increased by over 300% from 1999 to 2010 (Mitch 989). Consequently, the number of deaths from overdose increased from 4000 to 16,600 a year in the same time frame (Mitch 989). This fact becomes even more frightening when you think about today; the annual number of fatal drug overdoses in the Unites States now surpasses that of motor vehicle deaths (Alexander 1865). Even worse, overdose deaths caused by opioids specifically exceed those attributed to both cocaine and heroin combined (Alexander 1865).

Millions of people throughout the world are taking drugs on a daily basis. If you were to ask someone why they take prescription drugs, most people would be taking them for the right reason. However, it’s estimated that twenty percent of people in the United States alone have used prescription drugs for non-medical reasons.1 Prescription drug abuse is a serious and growing problem that often goes unnoticed. Abusing these drugs can often lead to addiction and even death. You can develop an addiction to certain drugs that may include: narcotic painkillers, sedatives, tranquilizers, and stimulants.1 Prescription drugs are the most common abused category of drugs, right next to marijuana, cocaine, heroin, and

f. .stimulants can cause enhanced brain activity increase and llertness in energy elevated blood pressure increase heart rate increase respiration and sleep deprivation…. Ultimately these three drugs possess the same long term affect when abused; high potential for physical dependence and addiction.

Doctors prescribe medications to people with certain doses and forms because of how fast or slow the drug goes through the body. The drug will move to the stomach where it is dissolved, then it will release the drug into the blood, and then finally traveling to the brain. When the drug is abused it changes the speed and the way the drug travels throughout the body and to the brain. For example, when someone abuses the stimulant, Adderall, by crushing the pill and snorting it through their nose, a dose that would normally work over the course of a 10-12-hour period hits the brain all at once creating a high and drastically increasing the risk for overdose, addiction, or death (Prescription Drugs).

For example, when people who abuse oxycodone (OxyContin) they crush and inhale the pills, a 12-hour dose hits their central nervous system all at once—which increases their risk of addiction and overdose. Almost every medication presents some risk of undesirable side effects, sometimes even serious ones. Doctors consider the potential benefits and risks to each patient before prescribing medications. They understand that drugs affect the body in many ways and take into account things like the drug’s form and dose, its possible side effects, and the potential for addiction or withdrawal. For example, doctors know how to change the dose of a painkiller to prevent withdrawal symptoms. People who abuse drugs might not

Prescription drug abuse is as dangerous to your health as illegal drug use. According to the article “Prescription Pain Medications: What you need to know,” there are many pieces of evidence that show the danger of prescription medications. Three examples of theses dangers from prescription medications in the article is that people can stop breathing, can begin addictions that may get worse, and overall overdosing on prescription medications. These prescription medications, opioids, such as OxyContin, Vicodin, Percodan, etc. are made with a plant called the Poppy Plant, which is also an ingredient for illegal opioids such as heroin. In paragraph five it says, “In fact, they now outnumber deaths from heroin and cocaine combined.” Furthermore,

It is very likely that people given prescription medications do not intend to become addicted or to abuse the medication. They simply want to ease their medical problems. There are numerous reasons a person may abuse or become addicted to prescription medications. Many physicians are over-booked and have busy schedules and don’t take enough time with patients, instead they simply write a prescription and send the person on their way. A second reason is that most addictive medications work quickly and effectively, especially painkillers. A third reason is that many people have a subconscious

The world of opioids can be divided into two categories: (1) illicit opioids and (2) prescription opioids. Illicit opioids include substances like heroin that people abuse to reach a euphoric and relaxed state. In contrast, prescription opioids are commonly used by doctors in a medical setting to treat pain. Some of these powerful painkillers include codeine, oxycodone, hydrocodone, morphine, and methadone. While these prescription medications provide pain relief for patients who are recovering from surgery or injuries, they also pose serious risks when they are misused. Among these risks are addiction, overdose, and death.

Drugs have different effects on your physiological state of well being. Drugs can inhibit your ability to thinking rationally and make smart decisions. Drugs can alter your physicological systems in your body. They can speed up or slow down your circulatory –respioratory sytems; causing an imbalnce of homeostasis in the body. This can eventaully cause your body stress and can create an illnesses such as a heart attack, rapid heartbeat, and major effects on the liver. Emergency room visits have significantly increase in recent years because of overdoses of prescrition drugs. Nearly 28,000 people died in 2007 beause of unintended drug poisioning (ONDCP, 2011). Beacuase of these adverse affects on our health; this is why prescription drugs are a rising public health problem. It is also an issue that we should care about because this is a problem that not only affects the health of individuals but the economy as well. According to CDC-NCHS the United States spent for $234.1 billion in 2008 on prescription drugs. However, the goverment has implemented plans to prevent this public health issue from progressing. The plan consists of educating parents, youth, and patients about

Drug abuse in America is at an all time high across the country. Most people start out with a legit medical issue that leads to a prescription for pain, anxiety, stress, or even trouble concentrating. After repeated prescriptions, the body tends to get use to the medicine, with then leaves the body craving more. In fact, prescription drug abuse is the highest drugs abused my both men and women. Research shows that young adults ages 18 to 25 are the prime abusers of prescription drugs, ADHD drugs as well as anti-anxiety drugs. There several reason why this age group abuse these types of drugs. The reasons include getting high, to feel good, better study habits, stress, and weight loss.

The main issue presented in this article is that current painkillers are highly addictive, and all have extremely risky side effects. This is leading an increasing amount of people each year to form a dependency for these drugs. Ultimately, resulting in more people dying every year from causes that include painkiller addiction also known as opioid addiction.

Some are minor side effects such as dry mouth or headaches, but when you start to hallucinate or have extreme types of behavior you should seriously rethink your stance on the study drugs you are choosing to consume and whether or not you are making the smart decision. Knowing when to stop is key when making the smart choice. Abuse of any kind of drug will cause many problems, emotionally, mentally and even socially.

This response will create a sense of curiosity and may convince the person to try drugs themselves. Many teenagers today believe that their first use of drugs is safe. However even though there is no instant addiction with the first try, youngsters tend to experiment further. Soon a person could actively seek the euphoric effects of drugs. The final and the most disastrous stage is when a person needs drugs in order to function adequately. Therefore availability, curiosity and experimentation could result in drug addiction among teenagers.

Narcotics are central nervous system depressants that relieve pain without causing the user to lose consciousness. It is this reason many people choose to abuse prescription narcotics.

Some drugs were intended to address some medical conditions. But if used improperly, they can be addictive. Regardless if the drug was intended for medicinal purposes or not, some get dependent on them, making it hard for them to stop taking that drug. And if they manage to, they will often have withdrawal symptoms.