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