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by: DavidBSmith
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The misuse and abuse of prescription drugs is rife in our community, most commonly amongst adolescent folks who have little idea of what they are consuming! They use 'uppers' to pick themslves up, and 'downers' to settle themselves back down, regularly with unexpected, and occasionally deadly, results.

Most people who take prescription medicines use them sensibly. However, the inappropriate or non-medical use of prescription drugs is a serious public health issue. Non-medicinal use of prescription medications like opiates, central nervous system (CNS) depressants, and stimulants can lead to addiction, characterized by compulsive drug cravings and use.

Patients, doctors, and pharmacists all have roles to play in preventing ill use and addiction to prescription medicines. Patients should read all information provided by the pharmacologist. Healthcare providers must monitor for any type of drug abuse during standard history-taking, with questions concerning which prescriptions and over-the-counter (OTC) medications the patient is taking and why, and ought to note any rapid increases in the amount of a medication needed or frequent requests for refills before the quantity intended must have been used, as these may be signs of abuse.

While many prescription medications can be abused or abused, these three classes are most commonly abused:

* Opioids - regularly directed to treat pain.

* CNS Depressants - used to treat nervousness and sleep disorders.

* Stimulants - directed to treat narcolepsy and attention-deficit disorder.

Opioids

Optoids are commonly intended because of their helpful analgesic properties. Studies have shown that appropriately managed medical use of opioid painkilling compounds is safe and rarely results in addiction.

Taken exactly as directed, opioids can be used to control pain successfully. Among the compounds that fall within this class - sometimes referred to as narcotics - are morphine, codeine, and related medicines.

Morphine is often used before or after surgery to alleviate severe pain. Codeine is used for milder pain.

In addition, opioid drugs can influence areas of the brain that arbitrate what we perceive as pleasure, resultant in the initial elation that many opiates yield. They can also have the effect of producing sleepiness, result in constipation, and, depending upon the quantity taken, weaken breathing. Taking a hefty single dose may cause severe respiratory depression or even death!

In addition, opioid drugs can affect areas of the brain that mediate what we perceive as satisfaction, resulting in the initial exhilaration that many opioids produce. They can also yield tiredness, be a cause of constipation, and, depending upon the amount taken, depress breathing. Taking a substantial single dose could result in severe respiratory failure or even death!

Opioids may interact with other meds and are only safe to use with other drugs under a general practitioner's direction. Typically, they should not be used with medications such as alcohol, antihistamines, barbiturates, or benzodiazepines.

Since these substances slow breathing, their combined effects may lead to life-threatening respiratory depression. Long-term use also can lead to bodily dependence, where the body adapts to the existence of the substance and withdrawal side effects ensue if use is reduced abruptly. These indicators can include 'tolerance', which indicates that greater doses of a medication must be taken to obtain the same initial results.

Central Nervous System (CNS) Depressants

CNS 'downers' can be divided into two groups, based on their chemistry and pharmacology: Barbiturates, such as mephobarbital (Mebaral) and pentobarbitalsodium (Nembutal), which are used to treat anxiety, tension, and sleep problems. Benzodiazepines, such as diazepam (Valium), chlordiazepoxide HCl (Librium), and alprazolam (Xanax), which can be prescribed to treat nervousness, severe stress responses, and panic attacks.

CNS depressants can be divided into two groups, based on their chemistry and pharmacology: Barbiturates, such as mephobarbital (Mebaral) and pentobarbitalsodium (Nembutal), which are used to treat anxiety, tension, and sleep problems. Benzodiazepines, such as diazepam (Valium), chlordiazepoxide HCl (Librium), and alprazolam (Xanax), which can be prescribed to treat anxiety, severe stress responses, and panic attacks.

There are many CNS depressants, and most act on the brain similarly - they influence the neurotransmitter gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA). Neurotransmitters are brain chemicals that aid communication between brain cells. GABA operates by lessening brain activity.

Although distinct types of 'downers' work in unique ways, in the end it is their capacity to increase GABA activity that yields a tired or calming result. Despite these beneficial effects for people suffering nervousness or sleep disorders, barbiturates and benzodiazepines can be habit forming and ought to be used only as directed.

CNS depressants ought to not be combined with any medication or substance that results in sleepiness, including prescription pain meds, particular OTC cold and allergy drugs, or alcohol. If combined, they can slow breathing, or slow both the heart and respiration, which can be deadly.

Discontinuing protracted use of high amounts of CNS depressants can lead to withdrawal. Because they work by slowing the brain's activity, a potential outcome of abuse is that when one stops consuming a CNS depressant, the brain's activity can rebound to the point that seizures can ensue. Someone thinking about ending their use of a CNS depressant, or who has stopped and is afflicted by withdrawal, must talk with a physician and seek medical treatment.

Stimulants intensify alertness, attentiveness, and energy, which are accompanied by increases in blood pressure, pulse rate, and respiration. Historically, stimulants were used to treat asthma and other lung difficulties, obesity, neurological problems, and a collection of other ailments.

Stimulants intensify alertness, responsiveness, and energy, which are accompanied by increases in blood pressure, pulse rate, and inhalation. Historically, 'uppers' were used to treat asthma and other lung problems, overweightness, neurological problems, and a selection of other problems.

Stimulants such as dextroamphetamine (Dexedrine) and methylphenidate (Ritalin) have chemical structures that are similar to key brain neurotransmitters known as monoamines, which consist of norepinephrine and dopamine. Stimulants increase the levels of these chemicals in the brain and body. This, in turn, increases blood hypertension and heart rate, constricts blood vessels, increases blood glucose, and opens up the pathways of the respiratory system. In addition, the increase in dopamine is concomitant with a sense of excitement that can accompany the use of stimulants.

Research indicates that people with ADHD do not become addicted to stimulant drugs, such as Ritalin, when taken in the form and dosage directed. However, when abused, 'uppers' can be habit forming.

Research shows that folks with ADHD do not become dependent to stimulant medications, such as Ritalin, when taken in the form and dosage prescribed. However, when ill-used, stimulants can be addictive.

The end results of stimulant abuse can be extremely dangerous. Taking high amounts of a stimulant can result in an uneven heartbeat, dangerously high body temperatures, and/or the potential for cardiovascular failure or fits. Taking high doses of some stimulants repeatedly over a short period of time can lead to hostility or feelings of paranoia in some individuals.

Treatment of addiction to prescription 'uppers', such as methylphenidate and amphetamines, is based on behavior therapies that have established helpful for managing cocaine or methamphetamine addiction. At this time, there is no one proven medication used for the management of stimulant addiction. Antidepressants, nonetheless, may be used to handle the side effects of depression that can accompany initial abstinence from stimulants.

Treatment of addiction to prescription stimulants, such as methylphenidate and amphetamines, is based on behavior therapies that have confirmed effective for managing cocaine or methamphetamine addiction. At this time, there is no one proven medication used for the management of stimulant addiction. Antidepressants, nonetheless, may be used to manage the symptoms of depression that can accompany initial abstinence from 'uppers'.

About the Author

For more information on Prescription Drug Dependency visit us at http://www.addictiontodrugs.org/say_no_to_drugs.php

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