The Types Of Prescription Drugs Commonly Abused

Prescription drug abuse is a serious issue that has resulted in a number of deaths and criminal activity. As a result of the growing trend in prescription drug abuse, pharmacies and doctors have had to take extra precautions when issuing prescriptions for certain types of medications. Unfortunately, this has made it more difficult for those that truly need the medication to meet their health needs.

Although nearly every type of prescription drug is likely to be abused in one way or another, there are some types of prescription drugs that are abused more frequently than others. These include opioids, central nervous system depressants, and stimulants.

Opioids

Opiods are medications such as oxycodone, hydrocodone, and mepridine. These medications are better known by the commercial names of OxyContin, Vicodin, and Demerol. These medications are meanth to help relieve pain, coughs, and diarrhea. Those that abuse these medications, however, do so in order to escape reality by preventing the brain from receiving pain messages. As a result, those who abuse opioids experience a “high” feeling similar to other illegal drugs.

Central Nervous System Depressants

Central nervous system depressants are drugs such as pentobarbital sodium, diazepam, and alprazolam, better known as Nembutal, Valium, and Xanax, respectively. These medications are used to treat those suffering from tension, anxiety, sleep disorders, and panic attacks. Those who abuse these drugs do so because of the calming effect they create.

Stimulants

Examples of stimulants that are commonly abused include methylphenidate, amphetamine/dextroamphetamine, and atomoxetine. These drugs are better known as Ritalin, Adderrall, and Straterra. These prescription drugs are used to treat ADHD, narcolepsy, obesity, depression, and asthma. Those who abuse them do so in order to increase their attention span, alertness, and energy levels. For these reasons, stimulants are most commonly abused by people looking to lose weight or by college students wanting to pull an “all nighter” in order to study for a test.

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