Prescription drug addiction is becoming a leading problem in North America. Reportedly today’s teens are at a high risk of taking prescription medication, such as pain killers, as a means of getting high. The 17th annual study on drug abuse found that more teens had abused prescription pain medication than cocaine, crack, ecstasy or LSD. People often think that taking prescription drugs isn’t as bad as taking street drugs, because a doctor gives it out, but that is not true. People can get addicted to medications just as easily as crack, cocaine, etc. Drug addiction is a biological, pathological process that alters how the brain functions. Prolonged drug use changes the brain in fundamental and long lasting ways. These long lasting changes are a major component of the addiction itself. It is as though there is a figurative ’switch’ in the brain that flips at some point during drug use. The point at which this flip occurs varies from individuals, but the effect of this change is the transformation of a drug abuser to a drug addict.
People who are injured and prescribed pain medication from their doctor, will take the meds without question because it helps the pain, but after a period of time your body becomes tolerant to the medication. So the result is the patient taking more than prescribed to help curb the pain, and also taking medication that isn’t prescribed to them personally. It becomes something that they can go day to day without. This is when addiction steps in. When someone is depressed or badly injured, they need to be watched closely so that they don’t abuse their prescription. An example of this would be to look closely at the rise and fall of Adam Goldstein (DJ AM).
During Goldstein’s 20’s he was battling an addiction to crack cocaine. He was at the beginning of his DJ career, which is a scene where drugs are a big attraction. “Drugs became my identity” Goldstein said in a 2005 interview about his troubled past, “I would DJ until 2am, go get drugs and stay up until 10 in the morning doing drugs alone in my apartment.” Also during this time he struggled with his weight and it reached 300lbs.
He was depressed and felt like his life was spinning out of control so he decided to attempt suicide. He was at a critical time in his life, but his attempt did not succeed. After this he decided to do everything in his power to turn his life around. That was 11 years ago. He lost 115 lbs and was clean for 10 years. He was an inspiration to drug abusers everywhere.
On Sept 19, 2008 after performing at a college event with Travis Barker (of the band Blink 182), Goldstein was seriously injured when a Learjet, in which he was travelling crashed during takeoff in South Carolina. The crash killed 2 crew members, and 2 other passengers. DJ AM and Barker were transported to Joseph M. Stillburn Center in Augusta, Georgia, both listed in critical condition. Goldstein suffered severe burns on his hands and part of his head. He was released from hospital on September 26, 2008.
” I have a great deal of faith that everything happens for a reason. I put myself in God’s hands.” Goldstein told People Magazine in October 2008.
He was prescribed medication for pain and post traumatic stress after surviving the plane crash. Sources say he really struggled with the pain after the crash. But to outside sources they said ‘It seemed like he was functioning fine. And he never missed work.” Obviously that wasn’t the case, when months later he was found in his New York City apartment, deceased from an overdose. This happened around 5:20 pm on Friday August 28th, 2009. Sources speculate that the death was simply a drug overdose, other sources speculate a suicide. Either way there were signs of drug addiction and abuse. Found beside Goldstein was a crack pipe and a half bag of crack cocaine. Reports also indicate that he was found with 9 OxyContin pills in his body.
Nobody had thought that he would go down this path again, considering he had seemingly overcome his addiction. He was even filming a show for MTV to help young people battle addiction and get sober, based on his experiences. Some say that the filming had triggered those thoughts of drugs again, but once you are addicted to prescription drugs it can open up the door to street drugs.
The most commonly abused prescription drugs.
1. Opioids
- Examples : Oxycodone (OxyContin), Hydrocodone (Vicodin), and Meperidine.
- Medical Uses : to treat pain or relieve coughs or diarrhea
- How they work : Opioids attach to opioid receptors in the central nervous system ( the brain and spinal cord ) preventing the brain from receiving pain messages.
2. Central Nervous systems (CNS) Depressants
- Examples : Pentobarbital Sodium (Nembutal), Diazepam (Valium), and Alprazolam (Xanax)
- Medical Uses : CNS Depressants are used to treat anxiety, tension, panic attacks and sleeping disorders.
- How They Work : CNS Depressants slow down brain activity of a Neurotransmitter called Gaba. The result is a drowsy or calming effect.
3. Stimulants
- Examples : Methylphenidate (Ritalin) and Amphetamine/Dextroamphetamine (Adderall)
- Medical Uses : Stimulants can be used to treat Narcolepsy and ADHD
- How They Work : Stimulants increase brain activity resulting in greater alertness, attention and energy.
4. Over the Counter Drugs
- People mistakenly think that they aren’t as powerful because you don’t need a prescription for them. But it is possible to abuse or become addicted to over the counter (OTC) medications, too. One of the most common only abused over the counter drugs is cough syrup.
Addiction, in any form, is a slippery slope. Even drugs that are intended to help can end up causing damage. Improper use of prescription medications is still substance abuse, even though the drugs themselves may not be illegal. If you suspect that someone you know is struggling with prescription pain addiction, SureHire offers drugs testing services, and works in conjunction with a treatment centre to offer counseling and recovery services. You can call 1-866-944-4473 to find out more.