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Prescription Drug Use Disorder

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KEY POINTS

  • Using prescription drugs the right way is safe. Prescription drug use disorder is a pattern of using drugs that lead to serious personal, family, and health problems.
  • If you are abusing or dependent on prescription drugs and want to quit, get help from your healthcare provider.
  • Self-help groups such as Narcotics Anonymous, support groups, and therapy may be helpful.

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What is prescription drug use disorder?

When prescription drugs are taken the right way, they are safe. Taking too much or taking them when they are not needed is drug abuse. Prescription drugs that may be abused include:

  • Pain medicines
  • Sleeping pills
  • Medicines to treat anxiety
  • Cough medicines
  • Stimulants, which are medicines that increase energy and alertness

You may be abusing prescription medicine if you:

  • Take them for reasons other than why they were prescribed
  • Take more than the prescribed dose
  • Continue to use them when you no longer have a need for the medicine

Prescription drug use disorder is a pattern of using drugs that leads to serious personal, family, and health problems. The more of these statements that apply to you, the more severe your prescription drug use disorder is.

  1. You use more or use the substance for longer than you planned.
  2. You want to cut down or quit, but are not able to do so.
  3. You spend a lot of time and energy getting drugs, using drugs, and getting over the effects.
  4. You crave the substance so much that you have trouble thinking about anything else.
  5. You have problems at work or school, or stop taking care of people who depend on you.
  6. You have relationship problems because you don’t keep your promises, or you argue or get violent with other people.
  7. You stop doing things that used to matter to you, such as sports, hobbies, or spending time with friends or family, because of your substance use.
  8. You use substances even when it is dangerous, such as while driving or operating machinery.
  9. You keep using substances even though you know that it is hurting your physical or mental health.
  10. You need to use more and more of the drug, or use it more often to get the same effects. This is called tolerance.
  11. You have withdrawal symptoms when you stop using.

Prescription drug use disorder may also be called drug abuse, substance abuse, dependence, or addiction. If you are concerned that you may become addicted to a prescription drug, talk to your healthcare provider about the right medicines for you.

What is the cause?

The brain makes chemicals that affect thoughts, emotions, and actions. Narcotics change the balance of these chemicals in your brain. When you use more of a drug than prescribed, your brain starts to get used to it. As a result, you may crave the drug and not feel right unless you use the drug. When you stop using drugs suddenly, the balance of chemicals in your brain changes, which causes the symptoms of withdrawal.

You have a higher risk of becoming dependent on drugs if you:

  • Have a family history of drug or alcohol abuse
  • Have abused alcohol or drugs in the past
  • Are easily frustrated, have trouble dealing with stress, or feel like you aren’t good enough
  • Are regularly around people who use alcohol or drugs
  • Have a mental health problem
  • Have constant pain

What are the symptoms?

The symptoms of prescription drug use disorder depend on the kind of drug, how much and how often you use the drug. The symptoms can be mild to severe, such as:

  • Trouble paying attention
  • Confusion and memory problems
  • Sudden mood changes, such as getting angry or irritable
  • Trouble sleeping
  • Loss of interest in things you used to enjoy
  • Seeing several different healthcare providers so that you can get more prescriptions
  • Pretending to be in pain just to get pain medicine
  • Forging prescriptions
  • Taking medicine prescribed for others

The symptoms of withdrawal can be mild to severe. You may have some of these symptoms when you stop using drugs:

  • Restlessness and irritability
  • Changes in your appetite or sleep
  • Cravings for the drug

How is it diagnosed?

Your healthcare provider will ask how much and how often you take drugs. Be honest about your drug use. Your provider needs this information to give you the right treatment. He will also ask about your symptoms and medical history and examine you. You may have tests or scans to help make a diagnosis.

How is it treated?

Prescription drug use disorder can be treated. For any treatment to be successful, you must want to stop using drugs. Do not try to use alcohol and other drugs to reduce withdrawal symptoms. Your healthcare provider may prescribe medicine to help you get through withdrawal. Your provider may suggest other ways to manage symptoms or problems that the prescriptions were meant to help.

If you want to quit, get help.

Self-help groups such as Narcotics Anonymous, support groups, and therapy may be helpful. Kinds of therapy may include:

  • Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT). CBT helps you look at your thoughts, beliefs, and actions, and understand which ones cause problems for you. Then you learn to change unhealthy ways of thinking and acting.
  • Family therapy. Often people with substance use disorders don’t realize they have a problem or aren’t ready to accept treatment. This leaves loved ones frustrated and confused. Family therapy treats all members of the family rather than working with one person alone. It helps the whole family understand each other better and make changes.
  • Substance use disorder treatment programs. Your healthcare providers and counselors will work with you to develop a treatment program. You may be able to go to therapy a few times a week. Or you may need treatment in a hospital or rehab center. You may need to stay there for several weeks, or you may be able to go to a clinic or hospital each day.

Recovery is a long-term process. Many people with substance use disorders try to quit more than once before they finally succeed. Don't give up. You can quit and quit for good. Get help and try again. Follow-up treatment is very important so that you don’t go back to using drugs.

If you have overdosed, or are having severe withdrawal symptoms you will need to be treated in a hospital. You will also be treated for any health problems such as a heart attack, stroke, or other life-threatening problems.

How can I take care of myself?

The best way to help yourself is to see your healthcare provider and make plans to stop taking drugs. If you are already seeing a healthcare provider, it is important to take the full course of treatment he or she prescribes.

  • Get support. Talk with family and friends. Consider joining a support group in your area.
  • Learn to manage stress. Ask for help at home and work when the load is too great to handle. Find ways to relax. For example take up a hobby, listen to music, watch movies, or take walks. Try yoga, meditation, or deep breathing exercises when you feel stressed.
  • Take care of your physical health. Try to get at least 7 to 9 hours of sleep each night. Eat a healthy diet. Limit caffeine. If you smoke, try to quit. Exercise according to your healthcare provider's instructions.
  • Avoid situations where people are likely to use alcohol or drugs.
  • Check your medicines. To help prevent problems, tell your healthcare provider and pharmacist about all of the medicines, natural remedies, vitamins, and other supplements that you take. Take all medicines as directed by your provider or therapist. It is very important to take your medicine even when you are feeling and thinking well. Without the medicine, your symptoms may not improve or may get worse. Talk to your provider if you have problems taking your medicine or if the medicines don't seem to be working.
  • Contact your healthcare provider or therapist if you have any questions or your symptoms seem to be getting worse.

Get emergency care if you or a loved one has serious thoughts of suicide or self-harm, violence, or harming others.

People and resources in your community that can help you include your healthcare providers, therapists, support groups, mental health centers, and alcohol or substance abuse treatment programs. You may want to contact:

  • The National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence
    800-622-2255
    https://www.ncadd.org/
  • The National Institute on Drug Abuse Referral Hotline
    800-662-4357
Developed by RelayHealth.
Adult Advisor 2016.4 published by RelayHealth.
Last modified: 2016-10-18
Last reviewed: 2015-04-16
This content is reviewed periodically and is subject to change as new health information becomes available. The information is intended to inform and educate and is not a replacement for medical evaluation, advice, diagnosis or treatment by a healthcare professional.
Copyright © 2016 RelayHealth, a division of McKesson Technologies Inc. All rights reserved.
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