The 3 Most Abused Prescription Drugs

Many prescription drugs are abused by individuals in the United States on a yearly basis and according to experts, this trend is expected to continue. The American Medical Association states that approximately seven million men and women have admitted to using prescription drugs for non-medical purposes. Below are the three most commonly abused prescription medications in the US:

Narcotic-Based Painkillers

Opioid analgesics are the most frequently abused drug in America. These narcotic-based painkillers are prescribed for moderate to severe pain, particularly the acute pain that follows injuries and accidents. Additionally, even though they are only recommended for short-term use, some doctors also prescribe drugs of this type for pain brought on by specific illnesses or disorders, such as diabetic neuropathy or spinal stenosis. Because of the fast acting euphoria they produce, they are effective at distracting one's nervous system from the sensation of pain but unfortunately are also highly addictive.

Tolerance to such medication occurs quickly, meaning it takes a continuously higher dose to achieve the same effect. The most commonly abused opioid analgesics on today's market are Percocet and Vicodin. A synthetic narcotic, tramadol, has also recently been classified as a controlled substances at the state level in various parts of the country, despite the federal government's failure to recognize its opioid characteristics. Approximately five million out of the seven million men and women who abuse prescription drugs in America are addicted to opioid analgesics.

Benzodiazepines

Sometimes called “benzos,” benzodiazepines are classified as central nervous system depressants. Although originally developed for the treatment of panic attacks and still the drug of choice for this disorder, they are now prescribed for a broad range of problems, such as general anxiety, acute stress, convulsions and even sleep disorders. This is another type of medication that was never intended for long-term use but is nevertheless often prescribed in this manner. Therefore, the risk for dependency or addiction among patients is high. The most common drugs in this category are Xanax, Valium, and Ativan. Approximately a million individuals in the United States abuse some type of benzodiazepine.

Stimulants

Stimulants such as Adderall and Ritalin were initially intended for children or adults with Attention Deficit Disorder–ADD. However, they have become a common recreational drug and those who abuse them typically do so to improve their mood and experience a sense of elation and invincibility that this class of drug appears to create. There is evidence that this type of medication is abused by at least a million individuals in the United States and many experts anticipate that this trend will only escalate in future decades.

Hope for Addiction

At Pathway Real Life Recovery Program, we understand that addiction can happen to anyone at any stage of life. Our objective is to help you achieve long-term change through our customized programs and eliminate the unhealthy behaviors and beliefs that are stopping you from breaking free from your addiction. We work together with you and your loved ones to individualize the appropriate treatment plan and give you the skills and tools you need to live in addiction-free, purpose filled life. If you are struggling with addiction, do not hesitate to contact PathwaysRealLife.com to begin your recovery.

About the Author:

Michelle Amerman is a licensed therapist and President of Pathways Real Life Recovery. Pathways is a mental health counseling and addiction recovery center in Utah. Her treatment approach is based on 30 years' worth of groundwork and has been assessed and validated by pioneers in the field of recovery research.

Pathways Real Life Recovery
8706 South 700 East #205
Sandy, UT 84070
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