Serious conditions call for serious treatments. For those with common but harmful afflictions like chronic pain, insomnia, and intense anxiety, there is rarely reprieve. Often the available aid is a stronger than average drug. However, there are no miracle cures. Addictions can happen and sometimes they appear in unexpected places. This includes amidst treatments prescribed by health professionals.
The best way to avoid addiction is to be aware of common prescription drugs that are habit forming. By staying aware and closely following dosage instructions, it’s completely possible to stay safe while taking these medications.
Opioid Based Medication
Most people have at least heard of opium before, yet few are aware of the devastating impact this highly addictive chemical has made on history. Nevertheless, extractions made from opium still exist commonly in the pharmaceutical industry. The reason is nothing insidious, as this compound really is effective at treating many everyday maladies.
However, as it’s so addictive, only extreme cases will ever be prescribed this. For instance, fentanyl is typically prescribed for individuals with constant and severe pain due to terminal illness, advanced disease, and life-threatening injury.
Addictive Stimulants
The chances of the average person being prescribed fentanyl are slim, but there are much more common prescription drugs that are habit-forming. Stimulants are especially dangerous when used carelessly because of their classic side effects. Euphoria and a burst of energy is both the intended result and the symptom of a stimulant that causes it to be addictive.
Highly effective for treating ADHD and similar focus-related problems, Adderall is one very common and very addictive drug. As attention disorders are common, anyone taking medication for these issues should pay very close attention to dosage. Remember to tell your doctor about how the drug is affecting you and to never make changes to dosage yourself.
Addictive Depressants
Depressants also are commonly used to treat symptoms of restlessness. However, the goal of these substances is to instead decrease focus, thus allowing for a sleep-inducing relaxed state. Unsurprisingly, they are most often used to treat sleeplessness. For sleep, Ambien is a popular and accessible solution that doctors prescribe.
Despite its innocuous applications, this drug can have the exact opposite effect on sleeping habits when abused. As with any drug, carefully follow the instructions given by your doctor. The more precise you are with keeping a schedule, the more accurate you’ll be when tracking a drug’s effectiveness.
