Cancer and Prescription Drug Abuse

Cancer patients are typically prescribed opioid medications to treat pain. Opioid therapy to treat pain began with cancer patients with terminal diagnoses. It was only later that doctors began prescribing opioids to non-terminal patients for conditions other than cancer, but only on a short-term basis, as any use of opioids for longer than a few weeks carries a high risk of dependency. However, treatment is...

What Is a Psychological Addiction to Rx Drugs?

You may be familiar with the physiological and physical cravings that accompany an addiction, but prescription drug addictions may be more psychological in nature than physical. If you or a loved one is struggling with a prescription drug addiction, you may be wondering the following: What is a psychological addiction? How does psychological addiction differ from physiological addiction? What is the best course of...

Pharmacists Struggling with Pill Addiction

Pharmacists are individuals who have studied about drugs and how drug abuse can lead to dependency and addiction. They are aware of the dangerous side effects and the pitfalls of drug addiction. Pharmacists know the legal consequences of taking drugs illegally. Of anyone, pharmacists should be the ones who steer clear of drug abuse, but pharmacists are human just like everyone else. How Do Pharmacists Become...

Insomnia and Sleeping Pill Addiction

Have you gotten to a point where you cannot sleep without the aid of sleeping pills? Drugs like Lunesta, Rozerem, Halcion, Ambien and Sonata have become increasingly popular as a means for people to overcome stress and restlessness and achieve a good night’s sleep. However, these drugs are habit-forming, and some people find themselves faced with a serious addiction and no way to sleep without these...

Lorcet Abuse Help

Lorcet is a mild pain medication that also reduces coughing. Lorcet is made up of a combination of acetaminophen and hydrocodone. Hydrocodone is chemically similar to morphine. Hydrocodone binds to pain receptors to block them and therefore relieve pain. Lorcet moves very quickly through the bloodstream which can create a sense of pleasure and relaxation. Risks of Lorcet Abuse Lorcet is highly addictive and should...

Valium Abuse Help

Valium is a prescription medication that is commonly used to treat anxiety, insomnia, and seizures. It is a type of benzodiazepine that is classified as a mild tranquilizer because it has sedative, hypnotic, and muscle relaxant properties. Valium is not a highly addictive drug, but some people can eventually develop a physical and/or psychological dependency when Valium is taken over a long period of time. It is...

Tylox Abuse Help

Tylox is a prescription medication used to manage moderate to severe pain. Doctors typically prescribe Tylox to post-surgery patients expecting a short-term recovery. The drug combines oxycodone and acetaminophen, and its effects are powerful; this is why doctors only recommend the short-term use of Tylox. Pain-relievers like Tylox are considered opioids. Opioids produce a sense of euphoria for the user that in turn...

Propoxyphene Abuse Help

Propoxyphene is a narcotic that is used to relieve pain. It comes in tablet, capsule and liquid form. It is habit-forming and also goes by the name of Darvon, Darvon-N and PC-CAP. Propoxyphene Side Effects Some side effects of propoxyphene use include the following: Dizziness Lightheaded feeling Drowsiness Upset stomach Vomiting Constipation Stomach pain Skin rash Mood changes Headache Propoxyphene Withdrawal If...

Morphine Abuse Help

Morphine is a narcotic drug that directly affects the central nervous system. It is prescribed to ease pain but also produces a euphoric “high.” Tolerance and addiction develop quickly, so morphine should be used with caution. Tolerance, the need for greater or more frequent amounts of the drug to produce the same effect, can easily lead to potentially deadly overdose. Morphine abuse is a serious issue that...

OxyContin Abuse Help

OxyContin is a brand name version of oxycodone, a narcotic painkiller. OxyContin is available by prescription but can also be purchased illegally on the black market. OxyContin abuse can cause an individual to act in ways they normally would not and puts users at risk for physical complications. OxyContin addiction is often considered more serious and dangerous than an addiction to heroin. OxyContin Withdrawal...