Prescription Drug Addiction Research Paper
Prescription Drug Addiction in Nevada
Prescription drug addiction in Nevada is at epidemic levels and is one of the foremost drug abuse and addiction problems throughout the country. Prescription drug abuse constitutes the non-medical use and misuse of prescribed medications. Beginning in the 1990’s, drugs have been prescribed in record numbers. Often, an addiction is born out of prolonged use of painkillers creating unintentional dependence and addiction. Patients begin to require increasing doses of their medication on a more frequent basis which defines the misuse of prescription medication. The non-medical use of medication now presents the biggest problem with prescription drug addiction in Nevada, which is defined as the illicit and illegal …show more content…
Examples include: Dilaudid, methadone, Demerol, OxyContin, Percocet, fentanyl, morphine, codeine, and hydrocodone.
Schedule III- Drugs have a lowered potential for abuse and accepted medical use. Examples include: Tylenol with Codeine, and Suboxone (buprenorphine).
Schedule IV- Limited abuse potential and accepted medical use. Examples include: Xanax, Soma, Klonopin, Tranxene, Valium, Ativan, Versed, Restoril, and Halcion.
Examples of commonly abused prescription drugs:
Opiates:
• OxyContin
• Hydrocodone (narcotic analgesic)
• Vicodin – Narcotic pain reliever (hydrocodone and acetaminophen combination)
• Oxycodone
• Codeine
• Fentanyl
• Morphine
Physical symptoms of opiate use: Hyper-alertness and sensitive to sensory stimuli, agitation, constricted blood vessels, irregular heartbeat, high blood pressure, and loss of appetite.
Psychological and behavioral symptoms of opiate use: Drowsiness, anxiety, euphoria, panic attacks, psychosis, depression, irritability, heightened self-awareness, and a loss of motivation.
Sedatives/Depressants:
• Valium - benzodiazepine
• Ambien - …show more content…
SAMSHA, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, reported these statistics for the state of Nevada. The statistics are based on the National Survey on Drug Use and Health.
• Data from the Office of Vital Statistics in Nevada reported in 2012 that in the three years prior to the report, 2,082 people died from prescription drug overdoses in Nevada. The majority of which were men (58%).
• 80% of emergency room visits for prescription drug overdoses are due to abuse of analgesics (pain relievers) or psychotropics (anti-depressants). This reported by the Nevada Division of Mental Health and Developmental Services, Department of Health and Human Services.
• In Nevada, Of the 9,605 adults (aged 19 and older) admitted for substance abuse treatment at a SAPTA funded treatment program in 2011, 13% of the patients were treated for addiction to prescription opiates or synthetic opiates such as meperidine or fentanyl. This reported by the Nevada Division of Mental Health and Developmental Services, Department of Health and Human
Prescription drug addiction in Nevada is at epidemic levels and is one of the foremost drug abuse and addiction problems throughout the country. Prescription drug abuse constitutes the non-medical use and misuse of prescribed medications. Beginning in the 1990’s, drugs have been prescribed in record numbers. Often, an addiction is born out of prolonged use of painkillers creating unintentional dependence and addiction. Patients begin to require increasing doses of their medication on a more frequent basis which defines the misuse of prescription medication. The non-medical use of medication now presents the biggest problem with prescription drug addiction in Nevada, which is defined as the illicit and illegal …show more content…
Examples include: Dilaudid, methadone, Demerol, OxyContin, Percocet, fentanyl, morphine, codeine, and hydrocodone.
Schedule III- Drugs have a lowered potential for abuse and accepted medical use. Examples include: Tylenol with Codeine, and Suboxone (buprenorphine).
Schedule IV- Limited abuse potential and accepted medical use. Examples include: Xanax, Soma, Klonopin, Tranxene, Valium, Ativan, Versed, Restoril, and Halcion.
Examples of commonly abused prescription drugs:
Opiates:
• OxyContin
• Hydrocodone (narcotic analgesic)
• Vicodin – Narcotic pain reliever (hydrocodone and acetaminophen combination)
• Oxycodone
• Codeine
• Fentanyl
• Morphine
Physical symptoms of opiate use: Hyper-alertness and sensitive to sensory stimuli, agitation, constricted blood vessels, irregular heartbeat, high blood pressure, and loss of appetite.
Psychological and behavioral symptoms of opiate use: Drowsiness, anxiety, euphoria, panic attacks, psychosis, depression, irritability, heightened self-awareness, and a loss of motivation.
Sedatives/Depressants:
• Valium - benzodiazepine
• Ambien - …show more content…
SAMSHA, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, reported these statistics for the state of Nevada. The statistics are based on the National Survey on Drug Use and Health.
• Data from the Office of Vital Statistics in Nevada reported in 2012 that in the three years prior to the report, 2,082 people died from prescription drug overdoses in Nevada. The majority of which were men (58%).
• 80% of emergency room visits for prescription drug overdoses are due to abuse of analgesics (pain relievers) or psychotropics (anti-depressants). This reported by the Nevada Division of Mental Health and Developmental Services, Department of Health and Human Services.
• In Nevada, Of the 9,605 adults (aged 19 and older) admitted for substance abuse treatment at a SAPTA funded treatment program in 2011, 13% of the patients were treated for addiction to prescription opiates or synthetic opiates such as meperidine or fentanyl. This reported by the Nevada Division of Mental Health and Developmental Services, Department of Health and Human