Prescription drug addiction

Millions of people each year are prescribed medications that they become addicted to.  It may not be intentional, and some may actually be addicted and not even realize it.  Prescription drug addiction can happen gradually, and quite innocently even.  The dentist may have prescribed a pain medication after performing oral surgery.  You may begin taking the medication as directed and find that over time it may not be as effective as it you may have initially thought, so you may increase the frequency in which you take it, or even increase the dose.  When someone develops a tolerance to a medication and begins to alter the dose or frequency of it, this may be an indication that you may be developing an addiction.  Many prescription pain medicates are an opioid related medication, which can be highly addictive.  Some may think that because a doctor or dentist prescribed the medication that it is not addictive and there is no danger in using the drug.

This is actually a common scenario on how many become addicted to prescription drugs, intentionally and unintentionally.  Some become addicted to the drug and may lie to their doctor to obtain another prescription or even try to get the prescription through other doctors or other means.  This is very common among those who are blatantly abusing prescription drugs.  What can be very difficult is that in their own mind they may justify it, and still may not see a problem with their abuse or addiction to the prescription drugs.  Family and friends may actually be the ones that first pick up on if there is a problem.  They may notice subtle changes, like changes in behavior, job performance, mood, alertness or a number of other effects brought on by the use of prescription drugs. 

What can be even more frightening is that someone who may be suffering from a prescription drug addiction may not even realize at what a high risk they are for overdosing. When someone uses a drug over time, they can become tolerant.  This means that the normal dose that the person was taking has leveled out and does not seem to be as effective.  The body has become used to it. As the person increases the dosage or frequency, this increases the amount of the drug in their body, which they may also become tolerant to over time.  When they increase the levels in their system, they put themselves at serious risk for an overdose.

If you suspect that you or a loved one is suffering from a prescription drug addiction, then you should immediately contact their primary care physician regarding the issue.  If this is not an option, then seeking treatment for a prescription drug addiction is urged as soon as possible.  The longer that one waits to seek treatment, the greater tolerance may build up.  In addition to the increased risk of overdose, prolonged use and tolerance can cause more severe withdrawal symptoms for the person who may be suffering from the addiction.