Which Prescription Drugs are Most Addictive?
In Ohio and most of the U.S., prescription painkillers in the opioid category are the prescribed drugs people most often misuse or become addicted to. The crackdown on “pill mills” and opioid abuse that came in the wake of the OxyContin crisis helped to stem the tide of prescription opioid addiction — but the problem is far from solved.
Prescription opioids are still available through both legal and illegal channels. There are also other categories of prescription drugs with high to moderate potential for misuse and addiction.
Prescription drugs with a serious risk of addiction include:
- Opioid painkillers: Hydrocodone, Oxycodone, Fentanyl, etc.
- Benzodiazepines: Xanax, Klonopin, Valium, etc.
- Amphetamines: Adderall, Ritalin, Concerta, Vyvanse etc.
- Rx sleep medications: Ambien, Lunesta, etc.
- Barbiturates: Amobarbital, Butabarbital, etc.>
- Muscle relaxers: Soma, Flexaril, etc..
There are some other prescription or over-the-counter drugs not listed above that have the potential for abuse, like Gabapentin, Lyrica, or DXM (Dextromethorphan) but the list above covers the vast majority. We will expand into the less conventional drugs of abuse in the future.
Prescription Opioid Addiction
Opioids are by far the most common prescription drug people become addicted to. Addiction to painkillers often happens unintentionally when someone is prescribed opioids for an injury or after surgery. People with chronic pain are at especially high risk of becoming addicted to prescription opioids.
Fortunately more and more effective, non-narcotic pain medicines are entering the market every day. If you have chronic pain, be sure to ask your doctor about them. Pain management without addictive opioids is possible and there are better alternatives available today that you are likely not aware of.
Benzodiazepine Addiction
Benzodiazepine Addiction can happen as a result of recreational use or when someone is prescribed Xanax or Klonopin and begins to use it in a manner different from how it was prescribed. Addiction to benzodiazepines can creep up on you and have you in its grasp before you realize it.
Even using benzodiazepines as prescribed can (and often does) lead to chemical dependency (sometimes called “physical addiction”). Benzo withdrawal can be very dangerous, without medical detox there is a risk of seizures. You should never attempt to detox yourself or anyone else off of benzos without medical supervision.
Amphetamine Addiction
Prescription amphetamines have become increasingly popular over the past 20 years or so. Primarily prescribed for ADHD, drugs like Ritalin, Adderall, and Vyvanse have found their way to recreational users, college students, and professionals looking for a mental “edge”. The result is more Adderall addiction than ever.
The problem is these medicines are controlled substances for a reason. Most prescription ADHD drugs have a high potential for abuse, certainly, any which are amphetamines (and that’s most of them) are potentially addictive. Anyone with a history of addiction should avoid prescription stimulants, even if they have ADHD. Ask your doctor about non-narcotic ADHD meds like Strattera.
Addiction to Sleep Medications
Non-benzodiazepine prescription sleep aids like Ambien and Lunesta may seem somewhat harmless. At least they aren’t among the first prescribed drugs most people think of when they hear prescription drug addiction discussed. But, make no mistake, they are addictive controlled substances.
Prescription sleep med addiction is a very real phenomenon. Lunesta (eszopiclone) and Ambien (zolpidem) aren’t benzodiazepines, but they work similarly, acting on the neurotransmitter GABA. They are both controlled substances and are not recommended for people with a history of substance use disorders. Ambien addiction is more common than most people imagine.
Barbiturates and Muscle Relaxer Addiction
Barbiturate addiction used to be much more common in the 1950s and 60s. When benzodiazepines were developed and became more popular — doctors began prescribing barbiturates less and less. Benzos had fewer side effects and worked better. However barbituates are still prescribed for certain conditions, such as migraine headaches, and they are still addictive.
Withdrawal from barbituates can be potentially deadly, just like benzo and alcohol withdrawal, so remember never to attempt it without medical supervision. Like barbiturate addiction, muscle relaxer addiction is less common, but it is still a problem. Muscle relaxers are best for short-term use only and as prescribed. People with a substance use disorder history should avoid all controlled substances whenever possible, including barbituates and muscle relaxers.
Treatment for Prescription Drug Addiction
While an addiction to prescription drugs can be extremely challenging and potentially dangerous — there is some good news. Substance use disorder treatment today is more effective than ever before. Redemption Recovery makes a point of utilizing the very best of the available evidence-based treatment methods for addictions of every type.
You or your loved one can beat your prescription drug addiction. Whether it’s painkillers or Adderall — we can help you not only make your way through it but to build a successful life in recovery on the other side. All it takes to begin is the willingness to pick up the phone and call Redemption Recovery.
Redemption Recovery: Overcome Prescription Drug Addiction
Recovery awaits. But recovery from an addiction to prescription drugs doesn’t just happen all on its own. We won’t tell you recovery is easy — it is not. But, the juice of recovery is well worth the squeeze, we can promise you that.
We can also promise you that you or your loved one will get everything they need to overcome addiction and thrive in a successful sober life at Redemption Recovery. All it takes is a phone call to change your destiny. So, what’s stopping you from making that call RIGHT NOW?
Reach out to us at (419) 528-8007 and let’s take the first step together.
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