Prescription drug abuse is the use of a prescription medication in a way not intended by the prescribing doctor. Prescription drug abuse or problematic use includes everything from taking a friend's prescription painkiller for your backache to snorting or injecting ground-up pills to get high. Drug abuse may become ongoing and compulsive, despite the negative consequences.
An increasing problem, prescription drug abuse can affect all age groups, including teens. The prescription drugs most often abused include opioid painkillers, anti-anxiety medications, anti-depressant medications, sedatives and stimulants.
Early identification of prescription drug abuse and early intervention may prevent the problem from turning into an addiction.
Symptoms
Signs and symptoms of prescription drug abuse depend on the specific drug. Because of their mind-altering properties, the most commonly abused prescription drugs are:
Opioids used to treat pain, for example medications containing oxycodone — such as Oxycontin and Percocet — and those containing hydrocodone — such as Norco
Anti-anxiety medications and sedatives, such as alprazolam (Xanax) and diazepam (Valium), and hypnotics, such as zolpidem (Ambien), used to treat anxiety and sleep disorders
Stimulants, such as methylphenidate (Ritalin, Concerta, others), dextroamphetamine and amphetamine (Adderall XR, Mydayis), and dextroamphetamine (Dexedrine), used to treat attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and certain sleep disorders
Signs and symptoms of prescription drug abuse, Opioids, Anti-anxiety medications, Anti-depressants, sedatives and Stimulants.
Constipation
Nausea
Feeling high (euphoria)
Slowed breathing rate
Drowsiness
Confusion
Poor coordination
Increased dose required for pain relief
Worsening or increased sensitivity to pain with higher doses (hyperalgesia)
Drowsiness
Confusion
Unsteady walking
Slurred speech
Poor concentration
Dizziness
Problems with memory
Slowed breathing
Increased alertness
Feeling high
Irregular heartbeat
High blood pressure
High body temperature
Reduced appetite
Insomnia
Agitation
Anxiety
Paranoia
Other signs include:
Stealing, forging or selling prescriptions
Taking higher doses than prescribed
Excessive mood swings or hostility
Increase or decrease in sleep
Poor decision-making
Appearing to be high, unusually energetic or revved up, or sedated
Requesting early refills or continually "losing" prescriptions, so more prescriptions must be written
Seeking prescriptions from more than one doctor Credit for the above information: Mayo Clinic Click the link below for the full article: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/prescription-drug-abuse/symptoms-causes/syc-20376813#:~:text=Prescription%20drug%20abuse%20is%20the,up%20pills%20to%20get%20high.