What is Dependency?
Prescription Drug Abuse in Largo, FL
Focused on substance use disorder recovery, Recovery Resources of Florida, in Largo, Florida, understands that knowledge is the most powerful tool a community has when it comes to fighting addiction. Prescription drug abuse and other substance abuse must be understood in order to help people break free from their addictions as well as to help others avoid the pitfalls that can lead them down the hole of addiction.
What Is Prescription Drug Abuse?
While narcotics can be beneficial in the treatment plan for a patient in pain, there are serious risk factors involved when they are inappropriately distributed or taken. Unfortunately, most pain narcotics have properties that alter cognitive function and creative dependence. Luckily, our team has capable of creating individualized, alternative care plans that most often limit the use of prescription narcotics.
What Is Substance Abuse?
Substance abuse is defined as the dependency on, or harmful usage of, any substance for mood-altering purposes. This can include all forms of illicit drugs as well as prescription opioids, alcohol, inhalants, and solvents.
What Is Opioid Addiction?
Opioids are strong drugs that, when used properly, treat pain. While some people take narcotic medications as prescribed to treat medical conditions, some people misuse them. They can be used to self-medicate and make the body and the brain feel good. Opioids can create feelings of euphoria, called a “high.”
Opiate medications can create tolerance, which is when more of a substance is needed to achieve the same desired effect. Another possible side effect of opiates is dependence, which means the person will become sick without the substance, which is called withdrawal. Individuals who are ready to stop taking narcotic medications may be tapered off these medicines by a physician to prevent withdrawal. Tolerance and dependence can also occur in people who are misusing medications. They may need substances to feel “normal.”
Addiction happens when opiates cause changes in the brain. Not everyone who uses pain medication becomes addicted, but those who misuse medication are more likely to become addicted. Other people may be at higher risk for addiction due to genetics, environmental factors, or temperament.
Addiction is characterized by craving – an overwhelming desire for the drug – and loss of control, which makes it harder for the person to say no to the substance. These two symptoms are sometimes referred to as obsession and compulsion. Many times, someone who is experiencing addiction will continue to use even when there are harmful consequences. Family members and friends often wonder why an addicted person doesn’t just stop.
Addiction is a chronic disease that is progressive and often fatal, just like heart disease or diabetes. It cannot be cured, but it can be managed. The team at our treatment center helps with the management of the disease of addiction.
Examples of Opiate Drugs Include:
- Codeine – An Ingredient in Some Cough Syrups
- Hydrocodone – Vicodin™
- Lortab™ & Lorcet™
- Oxycodone – Percocet™
- OxyContin™ & Percodan™
- Hydromorphone – Dilaudid™
- Morphine – MSContin™, MSIR™, Avinza™, & Kadian™
- Propoxyphene – Darvocet™ & Darvon™
- Fentanyl – Duragesic™
- Methadone
Misuse & Abuse Signs & Symptoms Include:
- “Doctor Shopping” – Going to Multiple Doctors to Obtain Prescriptions
- Stealing Medications
- Buying Medications from Friends or Drug Dealers
- Crushing Medications to Ingest, Snort, or Inject
- Seeking Heroin When Medications Are Not Available
Contact us in Largo, Florida, if you think you or a loved one is abusing prescription drugs. Our prescription drug abuse team is ready to provide the assistance necessary to help you take control of your life and addiction.
