Prescription Doesn’t Mean Safe

When we think about typical drug addictions, many of us picture the drugs involved to be illicit. We don’t consider how drugs given in a prescription may carry their own risks, or we overlook them because a professional gives them.

When we equate the word “prescribed” with “safe,” we don’t give credence to the dangers of prescription drugs. We explore factors that can make prescription drugs risky and some of the most commonly misused prescriptions.

What can make prescription drugs dangerous?

If you are given a prescription of a certain type of medication, there will be a pamphlet of information included in the box, outlining the list of potential side effects. Many prescription medications from doctors are recognised as having the potential for abuse and dependency.

When a person uses a prescription medication in a way not intended by the prescriber, this is known as prescription drug abuse or misuse. Prescription drug abuse can have consequences far more severe than many people first anticipate.

Broadly speaking, almost all of us are raised to respect doctors, nurses, GPs and healthcare providers. In childhood, we see them as the people who work with our parents to heal us when we are sick. We rightfully carry this positive perspective of their invaluable work into adulthood.

While all of us should take warnings from doctors seriously when they prescribe medication, we don’t always appreciate the severity of the risks prescription drugs carry.

Incomplete knowledge

In general, doctors and prescribers of medications are taught to do so only if they have adequate knowledge of the patient’s health. Simply put, a person visiting a doctor describes what they’re feeling, and the doctor prescribes medication based on what they’re told.

We can begin to see here how there may be gaps, discrepancies and an incomplete transfer of knowledge between a patient and a prescriber. The process relies on both the patient’s honesty and their awareness of their own health. A person can easily forget to mention other medications they’re taking. Doctors do ask this question, but human error on the patient’s behalf is not abnormal. A person otherwise might downplay their symptoms or, for their own reasons, be too afraid of telling a doctor more details.

In a perfect world, prescriptions are immaculately suited to illnesses, yet that is not the world we live in.

Which prescription drugs carry the greatest dangers?

If a person willingly or unknowingly misuses a prescription medication, they begin to run risks. Some drugs carry greater risks than others and can interact with other substances in different ways. Below are some of the most commonly misused prescription drugs and the dangers they present.

Opioids – the highest potential for addiction

For many people recovering from an addiction to heroin, treatment can involve being given other, less severe opioid drugs to help manage withdrawal symptoms. Opioids like methadone, buprenorphine and morphine work with opioid receptors in your body’s central nervous system, reducing pain signals between the brain and body.

If opioids are part of your heroin recovery treatment, it’s incredibly important to be aware of the potential for prescription drug addiction. If you continue with a prolonged use of opioids, significant physical and psychological dependency can form. Known side effects of long-term opioid misuse include respiratory failure, coma and potentially even death.

Muscle relaxants – a higher risk than people realise

A person in addiction recovery can face severe withdrawal symptoms that include muscle spasms and musculoskeletal pain. In cases where these symptoms are severe, muscle relaxants such as carisoprodol and cyclobenzaprine may be prescribed.

Muscle relaxants carry the risk of serious side effects, including dizziness, drowsiness, blurred vision, headaches and episodic depression. Research shows more severe side effects from misuse, including liver damage and central nervous system depression.

In addition, muscle relaxant drugs have more potential drug interactions than many people realise. Taking muscle relaxants with alcohol, opioids, or benzodiazepines significantly increases the risk of overdose.

Stimulants – high risk of abuse and addiction

Stimulant drugs can be prescribed to treat people suffering from conditions like ADHD and narcolepsy. Prescription stimulants work by stimulating and exciting the brain, creating a surge in energy, attention and a sense of alertness.

In addition to the risk of dependency, prescription stimulant misuse can lead to serious side effects including high blood pressure, heart palpitations, increased body temperature and insomnia. This is especially dangerous for people with pre-existing heart conditions.

Antidepressants – overdose risks and suicidality

Antidepressants such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) are commonly prescribed to treat people with severe depression and anxiety disorders.

One of the biggest concerns with antidepressants is their potential link to suicidality, especially among young adults. Troubling research suggests that some antidepressants may cause worsening suicidal ideas in vulnerable patients and people under 25. This led The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to mandate “black box warnings” on all antidepressants to highlight the risk.

Tips to ensure prescription drug use is safe

Prescribed medication is crucial for a plethora of conditions, and must be treated responsibly to make sure you stay safe. Here are some basic principles and practices to minimise any potential risks:

• Talk to your doctor about drug misuse: Before you use any new prescription medicines, establish honest communication with your doctor. You’ll benefit by telling them all other medications you use, both prescription and over the counter. If you are at risk of using illegal drugs, tell them too. Many illegal substances have the potential for dangerous interaction with prescribed drugs.
• Take time to understand directions: Don’t overlook the directions you’re given when you take them. If you experience any unpleasant side effects, call your doctor, nurse or GP. Ask questions to make yourself familiar with the drug, its side effects and other medicines you should avoid.
• Keep track: It may sound simple, but tracking your intake of a prescribed drug could potentially save your life. There are valuable online resources available, like The National Institutes of Health’s medicine record tracker. A prescription medicine’s effects can easily make you lose track of what you’re taking after a while.
• Keep them safe: Lastly, make sure you’re putting your medicine in a safe place. Some medicines will last longer and work better if they’re stored correctly. Make sure you keep them away from children and pets. Consider using a locked box or cabinet if you’re living among people who may take them, accidentally or otherwise.

Where can I find support for my addiction?

Prescription drugs can be life-changing when used correctly, but they also have the potential for addiction forming.

If you or someone you love is struggling with prescription drug dependence, the most important thing to know is that help is available.

At UKAT, we pride ourselves on helping people recover from a substance addiction and return to the life they want to live. Our comprehensive detox programmes are designed to help you manage physical and psychological withdrawal symptoms. We incorporate evidence-based therapies to give you the tools needed to fight cravings. Ongoing aftercare supports you and your loved ones in preventing relapse and achieving long-term recovery.

The help you need and deserve is only one phone call away. Contact us today to take the first step on your journey to a more fulfilling, drug-free life.