These are the Most Addictive Pills
Some of the most addictive pills can be commonly found in many household medicine cabinets.
Many people are prescribed pain medication by a doctor for legitimate medical conditions or injuries. Because patients trust their doctors' expertise, most don't think about the side effects or dangers that are linked to the prescribed medications they are taking. After all, the doctor prescribed it, so it must be safe, right? In most cases, when taken as directed, doctor prescribed medication is safe. However, every individual has a different predisposed, genetic risk for addiction, and even when these medications are taken with a doctor's guidance and supervision, some painkillers can cause physical dependence and addiction in a short period. Everyone should be aware of what the most addictive pills are and use caution when taking them. Avoid prescription drug addiction by learning about the most addictive pills before they are ever prescribed to you. Also, always provide your prescribing physician a list of all of the medications you are taking to avoid dangerous drug interactions when prescribed any of the following medications:
- According to a 2013 report published by Harvard Medical School, while only 3 percent of opioid users develop a problem with opioids, abuse and overdose of these addictive painkillers continue to skyrocket, which is why "the opioid epidemic" is reported about and heard in the news every day. Opioids are the biggest offender for risk of abuse and prescription drug addiction. Opioids include drugs such as oxycodone (OxyContin), hydrocodone (Vicodin), hydromorphone (Dilaudid), and meperidine (Demerol). It is recommended that great caution be used when taking these addictive painkillers.
- Benzodiazepines are also in the group of most addictive pills. The worsening prescription drug addiction epidemic in the U.S. is in large part due to the abuse of drugs like Xanax, Ativan, Klonopin, Valium, Librium and Halcion. Normally prescribed to reduce anxiety or combat insomnia, these drugs pose a risk for addiction as well as a myriad of potentially dangerous side effects, including lowered blood pressure, slowed breathing, increased risk for respiratory distress, and even death when mixed with alcohol, according to The National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse.
- Also known as speed, amphetamines are prescribed to treat conditions such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and narcolepsy. These drugs provide focus and alertness and are often misused by those who need to perform on little sleep, such as truck drivers, or students and professionals working on deadlines. Commonly abused amphetamine drugs are Adderall, Ritalin, and Dexedrine. Abuse of amphetamines can increase risk of heart attack, stroke, elevated blood pressure, and organ damage. Long term use of amphetamines can lead to depression, suicidal thoughts, and behaviors.
- Sleep medications are another type of depressant drug that are considered to be some of the most addictive pills. Most people who have problems sleeping take drugs like Ambien and Lunesta to provide them with relief from insomnia and to get much needed rest. However, Ambien is a potent central nervous system depressant and addiction to this drug can develop in only a few short weeks. Often, people are not aware they have developed an addiction to Ambien until they learn they can no longer sleep without it. Most people who take Ambien develop a tolerance to it and need to use more of it as time passes to achieve the same desired effects. When Ambien begins to lose its potency, some users begin to combine it with alcohol to increase its effects. This is a dangerous practice that can be fatal, as both alcohol and Ambien depress the central nervous system. Breaking an addiction to Ambien usually begins with a medically assisted detox.
If you are concerned about your own use of prescription medications and worry that you may have a problem with addictive pain killers, or another one of the most addictive pills listed here, get help!
Sources:
http://www.health.harvard.edu/diseases-and-conditions/caution-these-are-the-most-addictive-pain-meds
https://www.centeronaddiction.org/addiction/commonly-misused-prescription-drugs
http://www.healthline.com/health/addiction/addictive-prescription-drugs#overview1