Prescription Drug Abuse in Martins Ferry, OH

Although prescription drugs may be legal when taken as prescribed, they can still be subject for abuse. Prescription drugs cause changes in the brain that can cause a person to develop a dependence, tolerance, and cravings. Unfortunately, prescription drugs are not only subject to abuse, they also have the potential for causing death and long-term health consequences. Prescription drug abuse in Martins Ferry is as present as it is in the rest of the states.

Prescription drug abuse occurs when a person takes prescription medications in a way other than as intended by a doctor. This can include taking larger dosages or taking them more frequently. Purchasing drugs on the street without a prescription or stealing prescriptions for the express purpose of taking them to feel "high" also constitutes prescription drug abuse. Sometimes a person may also resort to "doctor shopping" to obtain pain medication prescriptions to fuel their habit. This behavior is not only the sign of an addiction, it is also illegal.

According to the Ohio Prescription Drug Abuse Task Force, the number of unintentional drug poisoning deaths has increased from 4.0 per 100,000 people in 1999 to 13 per 100,000 people in 2008. In Martins Ferry's Belmont County, an estimated 7.0 to 9.99 deaths per 100,000 people died due to unintentional drug/medication poisoning death. One of the reasons for the increase in drug overdoses is a rise in prescription opioid abuse, such as oxycodone, methadone, hydrocodone, and fentanyl. According to Cleveland.com, unintentional opioid deaths have increased by 59 percent from 2012 to 2014. While the amount of prescription drugs prescribed have decreased as a whole in the state of Ohio, the amount of drug overdose deaths continue to increase.

Why Are Prescription Drugs So Addictive?

When taken, prescription drugs cause changes in the brain that release feel-good chemicals that not only relieve pain and/or anxiety, but can also give a feeling of euphoria. The brain can become addicted to the substances, causing a person to crave the substance so the brain can be flooded with feel-good chemicals again. When a person stops using a drug, they will experience rebound symptoms because the brain has become accustomed to having the drug present. Often, a person who abuses prescription drugs will use more than is intended for use at one time or in a manner other than intended, such as snorting or injecting the medications.

Ultimately, continued prescription drug abuse will cause a person to become so focused on using drugs that they will neglect other responsibilities and duties. Their relationships are affected, their work performance may suffer, and ultimately their health will likely be affected. These profound effects may result in a mental illness which is a serious issue for dual diagnosis in Martins Ferry.

Health Risks for Prescription Drug Abuse

Prescription drug abuse, especially abuse of opioid pain relievers, can lead to deadly overdose. Abusing painkillers can cause a person's breathing to slow. This could mean that a person may stop breathing altogether, which can lead to brain damage and death. Sometimes a person may also not only abuse prescription drugs, they may combine them with illegal drugs or alcohol. This increases the risks for drug overdose as well.

In addition to the risks for overdose, prescription drug abuse can lead to an increased incidence of respiratory infections. If a person abuses prescription drugs by crushing and injecting them, they are at greater risk for intravenous-related diseases, such as endocarditis (a serious heart infection), or risks for diseases due to sharing needles, such as hepatitis or HIV.

Treatment Options for Prescription Drug Abuse in Martins Ferry

Fortunately, there are many treatment options for those who suffer from prescription drug abuse in Martins Ferry. A prescription drug abuse treatment program can create a personalized drug tapering plan, where they slowly decrease the dosage of a medication taken. This approach helps to minimize symptoms associated with withdrawals. Also, prescription drug abuse centers may offer methadone and/or Suboxone maintenance programs.

These are legal alternatives to assist with the drug detox in Martins Ferry. The medications block the same opiate receptors, but they do not cause the euphoric high that taking the opiates can. Taking these medicines can also reduce withdrawal symptoms as well as reduce dependence on a substance.

Our prescription drug abuse treatment centers offer services that can include drug detox and relapse prevention in Martins Ferry. Examples of the medications that a person may abuse in Martins Ferry and receive treatment for include opioids, central nervous system depressants (such as sedatives), and stimulants, such as those prescribed to treat attention deficit disorder. Call us now at (877) 804-1531.