subject: The Reasons Behind Prescription Medication Addiction [print this page] Pharmaceutical drugs which are meant to be consumed for medical reasons have now reached an alarming problem for being abused. While some persons can unintentionally become addicted to the medicines prescribed by their doctors, others especially teenagers become addicted by using prescription drugs in different purposes. Parents are warned about the epidemic that might reach their homes and influence their teenagers.
Drug abuse is very popular among people who utilize medical treatments that would modify a person's mood such as stimulants, depressants and painkillers. These medicines contain strong properties that increase the risk of dependency if misused. The increasing illegal distribution of the drugs has made an easy access for teenagers to cheaper alternatives for street drugs which offer the same effects.
Easy Access
Since medical drugs are accessible through a doctor's prescription it is simpler for anybody to obtain the medication they need. The prevalent issues of physicians who are illegally functioning are growing in numbers these days. They are also prescribing drugs just to anyone who is willing to pay the specified price of the drug. Moreover, pharmacies which is unaware of the legitimacy of the prescription are also dispersing these drugs to its consumers. The advent of technology has made it possible for drug abusers to obtain the drugs online without a prescription. Many medical professionals of prescription drug treatment believe that although highly addictive substances may not be accessible through online search, other drugs can be taken in higher dosage by abusers as alternatives.
Many patients of drug addiction rehab are teenagers who are primarily high school seniors involved in taking highly addictive medicines such as vicodin and oxycotin. Painkillers are easily accessible in any medical store as these medicines are not illegal.
Unintentional Overdose
Those who have medical conditions are often prescribed with very low dosage of pain relievers depending on the intensity of their condition. Since every individual has different levels of tolerance to substances, others are more likely to get immune with the components of the drugs making the initial dose of the medicine ineffective. In this case, they usually try to medicate themselves by increasing the amount without informing their doctor to feel the effects of the drugs. With consistent increase on the dosage, the patient will become physically and mentally dependent on the drugs over time leading to addiction.
Addiction to medical drugs prescribed by doctors can only be treated safely in drug rehabilitation centers. They can provide a medical expert who is licensed to administer the treatments important for patients.