Prescription Drugs
Prescription drugs are medications that are regulated by the U.S. Government.
These drugs are used by medical doctors to treat a variety of health conditions
and are quite effective in their prescribed method of use. One can only receive
these drugs legally when they are prescribed by a physician or other health care
professionals.
The U.S. Government restricts these medications because they require strict
adherence to usages procedures and dosages. If not taken properly, these
drugs can result in injury and even death. Health care professionals are
highly trained in the area of these drugs and their usages. They will choose
the drugs that are most suitable for one's need.
In the 1970's the U.S. Government created a system to control the use of certain
drugs. Those drugs were ones with high potential of abuse. The drugs included
in this category may also, aside from abuse, cause physical dependency or addiction.
The government enacted the Controlled Substances Act. The drugs were divided up
into five classes of drugs. These classes are: narcotics, CNS depressants, stimulants,
hallucinogens, and anabolic steroids. Each class consists of drugs which share similar
effects when taken.
Stimulants enhance brain activity and cause an increase of alertness and energy.
These drugs are used to treat ADD and ADHD along with the sleep disorder known as
narcolepsy. Prescription drugs which fall in this category include Desoxyn and
Ritalin. More about drugs in this category can be reviewed below under the
stimulants section. CNS Depressants are drugs that affect the central nervous
system in the body. These drugs can cause decreased blood pressure and general
slow down the body's normal brain function and one's senses. These drugs are
good in the treatment of anxiety and sleep disorders. These drugs include Ativan,
Valium, and Xanax. Narcotics are also known as opiod analgesics. These drugs
obstruct the signals that are sent to the brain which indicate pain. These
medications are used to treat people with pain due to disease, injury, and
sugeries. Drugs listed under these categories are Actiq, Dilaudid, OxyContin,
Percocet, and Vicodin(Hydrocodone). Hallucinogens are drugs that cause a
mood-altering effect on the body and can distort one's way of thinking. These
drugs are found in plants and fungi-such as mushrooms. Some of these drugs are
even man made and include LSD, PCP, Ecstasy (MDMA), and mescaline. Anabolic
Steroids are drugs that were designed and created to treat hormone deficiencies
in males. These drugs are often abused by body builders and athletes because
they have the ability to assist in muscle development. Examples of drugs in this
category are Anadrol, Oxandrin, and Winstrol.
All of the drugs listed in the controlled substance list, have very high potential
for misuse. Many of these drugs are starting to be used illegally amongst our youth.
These drugs are becoming popular amongst youth today because they are easier to
obtain than regular illicit drugs.
The most commonly abused prescription drugs are: morphine, codeine, OxyContin, Vicodin,
Demerol, Nembutal, Valium, Xanax, Ritalin, and Dexedrine. All of these drugs can be
quite dangerous and even deadly if not used in accordance with doctor's prescriptions.
These listed drugs can also create dependency which would require special treatment in
order to stop using them. It is recommended that one trying to stop using these
prescription drugs, seek professional treatment.