There is a pill for that… Or is there?

When we think about drug addiction, most of us assume that the “drugs” involved are illegal substances. Unfortunately, more and more people in South Africa and around the world are developing a prescription drug addiction.

(And if you are reading this and you or a loved one may be struggling, please remember that there is no shame in asking for help. In this blog, we have taken care to explain what prescription medication abuse is, the signs and symptoms and how you can find help.)

Prescription drugs such as legal opiates and benzodiazepines can be abused due to their highly addictive qualities. These prescription drugs affect the gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) in our brain, a neurotransmitter that produces feelings of calmness. While benzodiazepines produce GABA, opiates inhibit GABA and replace it with another neurotransmitter: dopamine. Both of these neurotransmitters are pleasure-enhancing. Medication misuse (such as codeine addiction, paracetamol addiction or ADHD medication abuse) can produce different symptoms to opiate abuse or benzodiazepine abuse. Taking more than your prescribed dosage can create a dependency, as your body and mind begin to crave these meds to receive GABA and dopamine. This is what causes prescription medication abuse, which in turn can result in addiction.

Symptoms of prescription drug abuse

Medication abuse can take a serious toll on the body, often leading to a range of distressing physical symptoms.

Many people experience persistent headaches, nausea, and excessive sweating or fluctuating body temperature. Sleep patterns are often disrupted, resulting in insomnia, while appetite changes can lead to noticeable weight loss or gain. More severe effects include heart palpitations, slowed breathing, and digestive issues, which can make daily life feel unbearable. Some may struggle with slurred speech or even moments of catatonia, where they feel physically frozen and unable to move. These symptoms can be dangerous and should never be ignored. Help is available, and recovery is possible.

Warning lights are flashing.

As the symptoms of prescription drug addiction can be physical and psychological, it is not always the easiest mental health disorder to detect. Prescription drug addiction often creeps in slowly and silently over time, but there are clear warning signs that shouldn’t be ignored.

If your medication has started taking priority over your work, relationships, or daily responsibilities, it may be time to reassess your relationship and reliance on it. Strong cravings and the feeling that you are physically and mentally unable to stop taking your prescription medication can be key indicators of dependency. Some people find themselves visiting multiple doctors or pharmacies in an attempt to secure more medication, while others begin increasing their dosage by themselves to chase feelings of euphoria or calmness. In more severe cases, some people may resort to forging prescriptions to maintain their supply. If any of these signs resonate with you, it’s important to seek help. Addiction is treatable, and recovery is within reach.

Recognising prescription drug addiction in a loved one can be difficult, but certain signs may indicate a growing problem. You may notice that they are making frequent trips to the doctor, repeatedly “losing” their prescription, or getting “repeat scripts” from different doctors. Over time, their responsibilities, whether at work, school or within their relationships, may begin to slip as they prioritise their substance use over other aspects of life. Social withdrawal and secrecy often accompany addiction, making it even harder to reach them. If you’ve noticed these changes in someone you care about, it may be time to encourage them to seek help. Your support may just give them the courage to find help.

Good to know

• Prescription drug addiction can be just as dangerous as illegal drug addiction. Anything from painkillers, over-the-counter cold and flu medication, anti-depressants, and sleeping tablet abuse to methylphenidate abuse has serious long-term consequences on your mental and physical health. If you abuse prescription medication over an extended period, you could experience health complications such as cognitive issues, organ damage, heart problems, respiratory issues, and in the worst case, death.
• Not all prescription drugs are dangerous. We want to be very clear that you should not suddenly stop taking your medication just because other people have developed addictions to your medication. As long as you take the correct dosages of your prescription at the correct times, you are far less likely to develop prescription drug addiction. Remember, that there are lots of contributing factors to prescription drug addiction: genetics, personal history and social environment. If you are concerned about your dosage or any changes to your prescription, always consult with your doctor to figure out the best course of action.
• It can be easier for people to hide or lie about prescription drug addiction. Prescription drugs are different to ‘street’ drugs in that they are legal and more accessible. It is easier for prescription medication abuse to hide in plain sight compared to illegal drug abuse. Therefore, people who are suffering from prescription drug addiction may try to dismiss or minimise your concerns about their abuse, but if you see a troubling pattern in their behaviour, you can always offer your support in helping them find a way out.
• Some people may struggle to understand prescription drug addiction. Social stereotypes and the stigma around addiction can make it difficult for some people to understand just what it is and that addiction can happen to literally anyone. Like alcohol and tobacco to some extent, some may not think of medication (prescribed or over the counter) as ‘dangerous’ due to their legal status, which can enable addiction. If you believe that somebody does not quite understand this mental health disorder, direct them to this page or a similar resource which explains the risk factors of prescription drug addiction.

I need some help!

As prescription medication addiction continues to rise, it is more important than ever to reach out for help if you are worried about yourself, a friend or a family member. One thing we all know and wholeheartedly believe in Eagles View is that there are many treatment options available, especially when seeking inpatient care.

You could be wondering how you can find help for prescription drug abuse, but if you would like to find out more about this, you are more than welcome to reach out to us. Eagles View Wellness Centre offers the best treatment programs for individuals who want to detox and receive inpatient treatment, therapy and aftercare.

You are not alone, and we are here to assist you every step of the way. Recovery is not easy, but it is possible and you can live a life free from the shadow of addiction. You deserve a life of freedom.