Drugs Abused - Prescription Drug Addiction - Hydrocodone Addiction - Oxycontin Addiction - Vicodin Addiction

There are countless types of prescription drugs that are heavily abused, however the main categories of drugs being abused are depressants, stimulants and opioids. These three categories of drugs encompass all of the very popularly abused drugs including vicodin, oxycontin, hydrocodone, valium and xanax.

Opioids are most often used to relieve various sorts of pain. These narcotic drugs include morphine and oxycontin and vicodin. Many of these medications are given before surgical procedures and are prescribed to lessen the pain that follows surgery. In other cases these pain killers are given for chronic muscle pain or spasms resulting from misuse of over use of certain body parts. In most cases people who take these medications do not mean to become addicted to them, however, once a person feels the effects caused by these drugs a desire to stay on them begins to grow.

Opioids block messages of pain from the body to the brain resulting in a type of euphoric or numb feeling. In some people, opioids cause drowsiness and a false sense of pleasure. These euphoric, careless feelings are what people become addicted to. Even if a person is taking the medication as prescribed an obsession to stay on the medicine can manifest itself within a person’s mind and daily activities. People who become addicted to these types of drugs are generally subject to severe withdrawal symptoms which can include vomiting, depression, sleeping and eating problems, and pain in the body and mind.

Depressants include drugs such as Xanax and Valium and are often used to control anxiety and sleeping problems. If used in excess, these types of depressants can cause similar effects to those achieved by opioids. These medications affect the brain by decreasing neurotransmitter functions which causes a sleepy or calming effect. People who take these medications often find that they are unable to stop taking the drugs even when their prescription has run out. The withdrawal with depressants is severe enough to cause serious health problems such as seizures. These drugs can be extremely dangerous and oxycontin addiction to them may lead to further complications if not dealt with immediately.

Stimulants are another class of prescription medication and include drugs such as Ritalin and other drugs commonly found in dieting and anti-attention deficit medications. These drugs increase the brain’s activity causing it to function at higher levels than normal. Increased heart rate, respiration and blood pressure are all effects that this medication can have on people who abuse stimulant-type drugs. Stimulants increase the brain’s production of dopamine and create a euphoric feeling within the body. People who abuse stimulants often use other drugs to supplement their habit.

All prescription medications when taken without need or prescription are extremely dangerous. Over the past few years prescription drug addiction cases have risen because it is an easy way for doctor’s to make money off of black market prescriptions. In addition the need for prescription drug treatment has risen, and at Gulf Coast Recovery we are dedicated to treating this deadly disease. Prescription drug addiction is often an invisible disease, however if you have a problem or suspect that someone you love suffers from this addiction, please call us and find out how to get treatment today.