Prescription Drugs - Most Commonly Abused

Prescription Drugs - Most Commonly Abused

 

 

Prescription drugs are getting worse every day it seems! It is almost like you can go to any doctor today and say you are in pain and they may give you something like percocet or an Oxy.

I have taken these and believe me, they do make you feel good! I have actually broken my toe several times, my ankle, my wrist in 2 places and fractured my jaw.

 

I also screwed up my knee body surfing in Hawaii one day when i wiped out on a huge wave that twisted my leg the wrong direction. They gave me Vicotin for that. Wow!  That was awesome!  But , really , was it?

I do not know about you but i have a severe addictive personality and if i take something that makes me feel somewhat different, semi-drowsy, sedative, high or pleasurable, i will take it!

This is what really makes being addiction addict to almost anything so very dangerous.

I now have to be really careful to read the ingredients of certain drugs or over the counter drugs now days if i have a really bad cold or flu or if i am in pain. 

 

Because for me, all it takes is just one pain relieving medication that may trigger me to go back to drinking again. And it may be my last binge because i might die this time!

It is very scary to talk about this but at the same time it is very important to talk about this because if you are somewhat like me then we have a lot in common.

 

Below are many meds that are prescribed today that are totally abused!

 

There are so many Medications which can be effective when they're used properly, but some can be addictive and life-threatening when misused.

This advice below provides a brief look at some prescribed medications that—when used in ways or by people other than prescribed—have the potential for harmful medical aftermaths, including addiction.

Just two years ago, In 2010, just about sixteen million Americans reported using a prescription drug for non-medical reasons in the past year; 7 million in the past month.
Depressants

 
Examples of Commercial & Street Names

Barbiturates

Amytal, Nembutal, Seconal, Phenobarbital; barbs, reds, red birds, phennies, tooies, yellows, yellow jackets

can be  injected, swallowed

Benzodiazepines

Ativan, Halcion, Librium, Valium, Xanax; candy, downers, sleeping pills, tranks
 
usually swallowed

Sleep Medications

Ambien (zolpidem), Sonata (zaleplon), Lunesta (eszopiclone); forget-me pill, Mexican Valium, R2, Roche, roofies, roofinol, rope, rophies
 
usually swallowed, snorted

Intoxication Effects - Sedation/sleepiness, decreased anxiousness, feelings of well-being, lowered inhibitions, slurred language, poor concentration, mental confusion, lightheadedness, afflicted coordination and memory

Potential Health Consequences - lowered blood pressure, slowed breathing, tolerance, withdrawal, addiction; increased risk of respiratory distress and death when combined with alcohol

Also, for barbiturates - euphoria, strange excitation, fever, irritability/life-threatening withdrawal in habitual users
Opioids and Morphine Derivatives



Codeine

Empirin with Codeine, Fiorinal with Codeine, Robitussin A-C, Tylenol with Codeine; Captain Cody, Cody, schoolboy; (with glutethimide: doors & fours, loads, pancakes and syrup)
 
 
usually injected, swallowed

Morphine

Roxanol, Duramorph; M, Miss Emma, monkey, white stuff

usually injected, swallowed, smoked

Methadone

Methadose, Dolophine; fizzies, amidone, (with methylenedioxymethamphetamine: chocolate chip cookies)

usually swallowed, injected

Fentanyl & analogs

Actiq, Duragesic, Sublimaze; Apache, China girl, China white, dance fever, friend, goodfella, jackpot, murder 8, TNT, Tango and Cash

usually injected, smoked, snorted

Other opioid pain relievers:

Oxycodone HCL, Hydrocodone Bitartrate Hydromorphone, Oxymorphone, Meperidine, Propoxyphene

Tylox, Oxycontin, Percodan, Percocet: Oxy, O.C., oxycotton, oxycet, hillbilly
heroin, percs
Vicodin, Lortab, Lorcet; Vike, Watson-387
Dilaudid; juice, smack, D, footballs, dillies
Opana, Numporphan, Numorphone; biscuits, blue heaven, blues, Mrs. O, octagons, stop signs, O bomb
Demerol, meperidine hydrochloride; demmies, pain killer
Darvon, Darvocet

usually  chewed, swallowed, snorted, injected, suppositories

Intoxication Effects -

Pain relief, euphoria, drowsiness, sedation, weakness, dizziness, nausea, impaired coordination, confusion, dry mouth, itching, sweating, clammy skin, constipation
Potential Health Consequences - slowed or arrested breathing, lowered pulse and blood pressure, tolerance, addiction, unconsciousness, coma, death; risk of death increased when combined with alcohol or other CNS depressants

Also for fentanyl - 80-100 times more potent analgesic than morphine
Also for oxycodone - muscle relaxation/twice as potent analgesic as morphine; high abuse potential
Also for codeine - less analgesia, sedation, and respiratory depression than morphine
Also for methadone - used to treat opioid addiction and pain; significant overdose risk when used improperly

** Taking drugs by injection can increase the risk of infection through needle contamination with staphylococcus, human immunodeficiency virus, hepatitis, and other organisms. Injection is a more common practice for opioids, but risks apply to any medication taken by injection..**
 

Stimulants

Amphetamines

Biphetamine, Dexedrine, Adderall; bennies, black beauties, crosses, hearts, LA turnaround, speed, truck drivers, uppers

usually  injected, swallowed, smoked, snorted

Methylphenidate

Concerta, Ritalin; JIF, MPH, R-ball, Skippy, the smart drug, vitamin R

usually  injected, swallowed, snorted

Intoxication Effects - Feelings of excitement, expanded energy, mental alerting

Potential Health Consequences - increased heart rate, blood pressure, and metabolism, reduced appetite, weight loss, nervousness, insomnia, seizures, heart attack, stroke

Also, for amphetamines - speedy breathing, tremor, loss of coordination, irritability, anxiousness, restlessness/delirium, panic, paranoia, hallucinations, impulsive behavior, aggression, tolerance, dependence

Also, for methylphenidate - increase or decrease in blood pressure, digestive problems, loss of appetite, weight loss

Other Compounds

Dextromethorphan (DXM)

Found in some cough and cold medicines; Robotripping, Robo, Triple C

usually swallowed

Intoxication Effects - Euphoria, slurred speech
Potential Health Consequences - increased heart rate and blood pressure, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, confusion, paranoia, distorted visual perceptions, impaired motor function

Facts About Prescription Drug Abuse

About seven Million Americans Reported Past-Month Use of Prescription Drugs for Nonmedical Purposes in 2010.

What types of prescription drugs are abused?

3 types of drugs are abused most often:

Opioids—prescribed for pain relief

CNS depressants— barbiturates and benzodiazepines prescribed for anxiety or sleep problems (often referred to as sedatives or tranquilizers)

Stimulants—prescribed for attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), the sleep disorder narcolepsy, or obesity.

After Marijuana, Prescription and Non medical use of Over-the-Counter Medication Account for Most of the Commonly Abused Drugs.

Thank You for Reading!

David L. (Recovering Addict)