Tips For Dealing With Prescription Drug Abuse Effectively

By Anthony Myers


Drug abusers and addicts are not only the people taking banned substances. There are many sane and seemingly healthy people caught in the web of prescription drug abuse New Jersey. In fact, some are not aware that they are abusing these drugs. Worse still, statistics and monitoring institutions say that this trend is on the rise and needs to be arrested in the shortest time possible.

Taking prescription drugs without the permission of a medical professional is regarded as misuse. This also includes using the drugs for illnesses that were not known to the doctor or in a manner that was not prescribed. Misuse applies to using drugs because the symptoms are similar to what you experience when they were prescribed. Other people are self medicating by searching for information from the internet. It is worth noting that prescriptions depend on situations and they change with time.

There are three main classes of drugs that are commonly abused or misused. Opioids ranks top because of their ability to treat pain. Depressants for the central nervous system are in the other category. They are used to deal with anxiety and sleep disorders. Stimulants also rank high among misused drugs. They treat sleep disorders and attention deficit, among other conditions.

People under medication also misuse drugs. It happens when instructions on dosage are given yet not adhered to. A higher or lower dosage counts as misuse of drugs. Drugs taken for other illnesses other than the prescribed one are abused. Alterations on medication documents alert a pharmacist that you are a candidate for misuse. Finishing your drugs earlier or later than expected is another indicator.

Medical experts insist that prescriptions must be followed at all times. This means that dosage should not be increased or reduced without instructions from your doctor. For whatever reason, never stop taking any medication on your own. Crushing or splitting drugs also counts as misuse. Inquire fully the effect the drugs will have on your daily activities like driving.

Clear and proper communication with your doctor is important whenever you are taking drugs. Disclose any OTC drugs as well as a history or brush with misuse of banned substances. This might affect the effectiveness of prescribed drugs. Other drugs produce undesirable effects when mixed with certain substances like alcohol. Notifying your doctor will enable him to take appropriate action. Do not allow your drugs to be used by other people regardless of apparent similarity in illness.

The dangers associated with misuse of prescribed drugs include developing resistance and being an addict. There are dangers of intoxication as the substances are not required in your body or the dosage is incorrect. Mixing drugs may also lead to intoxication which comes with dire consequences. Your body may also react negatively leading to allergies or unforeseen conditions.

There is treatment for misuse of prescription drugs. The victim must commit to change by recognizing the error. The situation is also corrected when you inform the doctor. You must be ready to adhere to instructions given by the doctor. Behavior therapy further enables you to change to desirable actions. The ultimate step is to always consult a doctor whenever you are unwell. Follow the instructions issued concerning drugs.




About the Author: