Prescription Drugs

Prescription drugs abuse is the use of a prescription medication in a way not intended by the prescribing doctor. (Mayo Clinic) According to the National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence, prescription drugs are the third most commonly abused category after alcohol and marijuana. According to NACADA some of the most commonly abused prescription drugs include the following:

Opioids-pain relievers such as OxyContin and Vicodin
Central nervous system depressants, for example, Valium
Stimulants for example Concerta and Amphetamine
Over the counter drugs such as cough and cold medications are abused by some people through taking high doses to get high.
Street names vary depending on the particular type of drug.

Opioids and morphine derivates

DRUG	BRAND NAMES	STREET NAMES
Codeine	Emperin with Codeine Fiorional with Codeine Robitusin A-C Tylenol with Codeine	Cody School boy Captain Cody Doors Loads Pancakes and Syrup
Fentanyl	Actiq Duragesic Sublimaze	Apache China girl Dance Fever China white Tango and cash TNT Jackpot Murder 8 Goodfella Friend
Morphine	Roxanol Duramorph	White stuff Monkey M Miss Emma
Oxycodone HCL	Oxycontin Percocet Percodan	Oxy 80 O.C Oxycet Hillbilly heroin Percs Perks
Hydrocodone and Acetaminophen	Vicodin	Vike Watson-387
Meperidine	Demerol Dilaudid	Demmies Pain killer Juice Dillies
Buprenorphine	Suboxone	Bupe

Depressants

DRUG

BRAND NAMES

STREET NAMES

Benzodiazepines

Xanax

Valium

Halcion

Librium

Ativan

Klonopin

Downers

Sleeping pills

Tranks

Benzos

Candy

Barbiturates

Amytal

Nembutal

Seconal

Barbs

Reds

Red birds

Phennies

Tooies

Yellows

Yellow jackets

Stimulants

These are also known as "uppers" they increase energy and alertness

DRUG

BRAND NAMES

STREET NAME

Amphetamine

Biphetamine

Dexedrine

Adderall

Bennies

Black Beauties

Crosses

Hearts

Speed

LA turnaround

Truck drivers

Other commonly Abused drugs

DRUG	BRAND NAMES	STREET NAMES
Ketamine	Ketalar SV	K Cat valium Special K Vitamin K
Flunitrazepam	Rohypnol	Roofies La Rocha Rophies Mexican valium R-2 Forget-me-pill
Dextromethorphan (DXM)	Coricidin Robitussin Contac	CCC Triple C Skittles Vitamin D Poor Man's PCP Robo

Effects

Opioids

Short-term

Relaxation
Indifference to emotional or physical pain
Constipation
Drowsiness
Slow breathing
Can also cause death

Long-term

Addiction
Long and physically painful withdrawal
In combination with alcohol and other drugs can lead to death from respiratory failure
Withdrawal symptoms
Early symptoms occur within first 24 hours of drug withdrawal
Muscle aches
Yawning often
Restlessness
Inability to sleep
Excessive sweating
Anxiety
Eyes tearing up
Runny nose

Symptoms that appear later on past 24 hours

Diarrhea
High blood pressure
Abdominal cramping
Rapid heartbeat
Goose bumps on skin
Nausea and vomiting
Dilated pupils and possible blurred vision

Depressants

Short-term

Slow normal brain functioning
Drowsy feeling
Slowed pulse and breathing
Low blood pressure
Lack of coordination
Difficulty or inability to urinate
Dilated pupils
Depression
Slurred speech
Fever
Sluggishness
Visual disturbances

Long-term

Addiction
Painful withdrawal
Can cause seizures and death
Tolerance to drug
Chronic fatigue
Breathing difficulties
Sexual problems
Sleeping problems

Withdrawal symptoms

Insomnia
Weakness
Nausea
Agitation
High body temperature
Hallucinations
Convulsions

Stimulants

Short-term

Alertness
Focus
Sleeplessness
Loss of appetite
High body temperature
Increased blood pressure and heart rate

Long-term

Addiction
Paranoia
Long-term insomnia
Extreme weight loss
Heart attack or heart failure
Seizures
Psychosis

Withdrawal symptoms

Depression
Insomnia
Fatigue
Loss of appetite

Ketamine abuse

Ketamine is a drug that is mostly injected but can also be smoked or alternatively taken in pill form. It is considered a dissociative aesthetic meaning it distorts the user’s perspective of sound and sight as a result producing feelings of detachment from oneself and the environment.

Short-term effects

It produces an immediate high that lasts for about an hour. The individual’s senses, judgment, and coordination may be impaired for 24 hours. However, it is easy to overdose due to its high potency meaning that a small amount produces a large effect. The user feels an intense feeling of relaxation. Some users feel like they are floating and others go to an extent of describing it as an out of body experience. Others experience hallucinations.
Much higher doses cause extreme effects whereby users describe a feeling of being fully separated from their bodies similar to near death experiences. This situation is described as being in the K-hole.
The user can become nauseated leading to vomiting. This is very dangerous especially if the user is in a state of dissociation from reality putting them at risk of choking on their own vomit.
Impaired motor functioning
Amnesia
Muscle rigidity
Aggressive behavior
Death from overdose
State of delirium
High blood pressure
Rapid heart beat
Excessive salivation
Blurred double vision
Altered hearing
•Due to its ability to alter muscle movement a person is likely to be a victim of crime. It is commonly used as a date rape drug.

Long-term effects

Being an anesthetic long term use leads to reduced or even total elimination of pain. This is very dangerous because the user can severely be injured without realization leading to more complications
Severe abdominal pain may be experienced once the drug level has reduced in the body.
It can cause thickening of bladder and urinary tract hindering proper elimination of urine
Kidney problems may occur as the drug constantly interacts with the kidneys.
With repeated use the user may develop tolerance to the drug
Addiction and physical dependence

Withdrawal symptoms

Majority of the symptoms are not physical in nature however below are few common symptoms

Depression
Double vision
Hearing loss
Loss of coordination
Increased heart beat
Loss of motor skills
Rapid breathing

Flunitrazepam

It’s best known as a rape date drug and has also gained popularity as a date rape drug. It is colorless and odorless and is easily slipped into the victim's drink causing them to quickly fall asleep with no memory of the incident. It is important to note that the drug has been changed in such a way that when mixed with drinks visible blue floating particles will be seen in the drink. This is a strategy to tackle the increasing number of rape crimes conducted using this drug. According to an article in the Standard Digital Media Dr. Frank Njenga, the Chairman of National Agency for Campaign Against Drug Abuse (NACADA) states that Rophynol is a popular choice of drug for spiking in Kenya. He also indicates that it is mostly sold by rogue pharmacists in the country. (Olingo, 2012)

Short-term effects

Amnesia
Vomiting and headache
Memory loss
Commas and seizures especially in combination with amphetamines
Breathing and heart rate slow down to dangerous levels
Rapid mood swings and violent outbursts of temper
Sedation of the body

Long-term effects

Learning is affected
Tolerance towards the drug can be developed
High dependence on the drug
Withdrawal symptoms
Headaches
Muscle pain
Tension
Numbness
Tingling of extremities
Loss of identity and delirium
Seizures can occur a week after drug use termination

Dextromethorphan

When abused it takes on the qualities of a dissociative drug meaning it distorts the person’s normal state by producing feelings of detachment. It also alters sight and hearing perceptions

Cough medication containing dextromethorphan in gel capsule form

Short-term effects

Blurred vision
Numbness
Muscles spasms
Heart attack
Psychosis
Hallucinations
Sexual dysfunction
Anxiety
Poor coordination
Overheating
Itchy skin and rash
Slurred speech
Vomiting
Nausea
Drowsiness
Dizziness
Confusion

Long-term effects

Below are the likely long-term effects:

Depression
Liver problems
Psychosis
Learning and memory problems
Can also cause a coma or lead to death

Withdrawal symptoms

Restlessness
Insomnia
Vomiting
Diarrhea
Muscle aches
Cold flashes
Bone aches
Depression
Drug craving
Problems with thinking and memory

Treatment options

According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, research over years has shown that addiction to any drug is a brain disease that can be effectively treated. Successful treatment needs to incorporate several components including detoxification, counseling and if necessary the use of medications. Behavioral treatments are aimed at assisting the patient by teaching them strategies for surviving without the drugs, dealing with cravings and avoiding situations that lead to drug use. Medications, on the other hand, are used to suppress withdrawal symptoms and keep cravings at bay. A use of both techniques is recommended for proper and meaningful treatment.

For more resourceful information on prescription drug Abuse visit Drug.Rehab.com.

References

Prescription Drugs. National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence, Inc. Removed from: https://ncadd.org/learn-about-drugs/prescription-drugs

Prescription Drug Abuse. C 2015 Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research. Removed from: http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/prescription-drug-abuse/basics/definition/con-20032471

Prescription Drugs. NACADA for a Drug Free Nation. Removed from: http://www.nacada.go.ke/prescription-drugs

Prescription Drugs Quick Facts. C 2015 Foundation for a Drug Free World. Retrieved from: http://www.drugfreeworld.org/drugfacts/prescription/quick-facts.html

Short and Long Term Effects. C 2015 Administrative Office of the Courts. Retrieved from: http://www2.courtinfo.ca.gov/stopteendui/teens/resources/substances/pharming/short-and-long-term-effects.cfm

The Effects of Ketamine Use. C 2015 DrugAbuse.com. Removed from: http://drugabuse.com/library/the-effects-of-ketamine-use/

Ketamine. (2013 October 29) Center for Substance Abuse Research. University of Maryland. Removed from: http://www.cesar.umd.edu/cesar/drugs/ketamine.asp

The Effects of Ketamine Abuse. Project Know 2015. Removed from: http://www.projectknow.com/research/ketamine-effects/

Rohypnol. Brown University Health Promotion. Removed from: https://brown.edu/Student_Services/Health_Services/Health_Education/alcohol,_tobacco,_&_other_drugs/rohypnol.php#main

Dextromethorphan. Council on Drug Abuse c 2011. Removed from: http://www.drugabuse.ca/dextromethorphan

Opiate withdrawal. C 2015 Healthline Networks, Inc. Removed from: http://www.healthline.com/health/opiate-withdrawal#ReadThisNext8

Depressants. Foundation for a Drug Free World. Retrieved from: http://www.drugfreeworld.org/drugfacts/prescription/depressants.html

Prescription Drugs- Stimulants. Council on Drug Abuse c 2011. Removed from: http://www.drugabuse.ca/stimulants

Treating prescription drug addiction. National Institute on Drug Abuse. Removed from: http://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/research-reports/prescription-drugs/treating-prescription-drug-addiction