5 Signs of Prescription Drug Abuse You Should Know
By Neha Kashyap Email Learning to recognize the warning signs of prescription drug abuse could be key to helping you or a loved one.
The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) estimates 18 million Americans abused prescription drugs in 2017. Prescription drug abuse means taking drugs other than how they were prescribed. Prescription drug abuse can lead to addiction and an increased risk of overdose, the National Institute on Drug Abuse reports. The most misused drugs are:
Opioid painkillers, like oxycodone, codeine and fentanyl
Central nervous system (CNS) depressants, including tranquilizers like benzodiazepines and anti-anxiety medications like alprazolam (commonly known as Xanax)