Some medications provide more than just medical benefits. When used in excessive quantities or for recreational purposes, they can cause euphoria or other pleasant sensations. These medications have become known as some of the most commonly misused substances available by prescription only.

Using them can lead to dependence or addiction, also called substance use disorder. Our mission at ReKlame Health is to help our members recover from prescription drug addiction and build healthier lives.

Learn about some of the most commonly misused medications

Opioids, stimulants and sedatives often carry high risks of misuse. These medications are also widely available with prescriptions. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, in 2023, about 125 million prescriptions of opioid pain relievers were dispensed to American patients.

In the same year, about 3.9 million people who were at least 12 years old misused stimulants. According to the Cleveland Clinic, between 2014 and 2015, at least 30.5 million people in the U.S. took prescribed benzodiazepines.

• Opioid pain medications

Opioids are prescribed to treat pain, but they can be used to create a euphoric feeling. It’s easy to build a tolerance to them, so that you have to take more and more medication to create the same effects. Once your body becomes used to them, you may experience withdrawal symptoms without them.

Short-term risks

Opioids can cause drowsiness, irritability, itching, nausea and constipation. Some people experience the opposite of the desired effect of opioids: severe pain, called “opioid-induced hyperalgesia” (increased sensitivity to pain).

High doses of opioids can cause respiratory depression. This risk is heightened with the use of benzodiazepines, alcohol or antihistamines like Benadryl.

Long-term risks

Long-term use can lead to complications of these side effects, like chronic constipation leading to impaction or toxic megacolon (a rare but life-threatening complication). Other long-term risks include depression, hyperalgesia, sexual dysfunction, heart attacks and immune system compromise.

• Stimulants

Stimulants are typically prescribed for ADHD. They can also be used for other medical conditions, like idiopathic hypersomnia (excessive daytime sleepiness). They can be misused for alertness and energy, although they may create calm and focus if you have ADHD. Misuse can lead to physical dependence and escalating use.

Short-term risks

Stimulants that activate the central nervous system can cause anxiety, irritability, loss of appetite and heart palpitations. If you have a tic disorder like Tourette syndrome, stimulants can cause more ticcing.

Stimulants may be unsafe to take if you have a personal or family history of hypomania, mania, bipolar I disorder or bipolar II disorder.

Long-term risks

Anxiety and irritability can take their toll on your social life, family relationships and professional relationships. A reduced appetite can lead to unintentional weight loss. The issues associated with bipolar disorders could cause hypomanic or manic episodes.

• Sedatives

Sedatives are usually prescribed for anxiety disorders. They can also be used in the treatment of insomnia, seizures and alcohol withdrawal. The calming, relaxing effect of sedatives can lead to reliance and increasing use. Additionally, benzodiazepine tolerance can build in as little as four weeks.

Short-term risks

Benzodiazepines can make you feel drowsy, sleepy or unsteady on your feet. Some but not all people who take benzodiazepines become angry or aggressive. Benzodiazepines can lower your inhibitions, allowing you to behave in ways that you normally wouldn’t. This doesn’t just mean that you might embarrass yourself or send some regrettable texts — it means that you are unsafe behind the wheel of a car.

High doses of benzodiazepines can cause respiratory depression. So can using alcohol, barbiturates or opioids at the same time as benzodiazepines.

Long-term risks

The effects of benzodiazepines on your behavior can impact your career, studies, family and social life negatively. Benzodiazepine use is correlated with falling and hurting yourself, especially if you are more than 80 years old. That’s not the only risk that appears later in life. Using benzodiazepines long-term is associated with an increased risk of dementia.

Consult a professional at ReKlame about medication use

If you have concerns about your own medication use or a loved one’s, you can connect with a professional to learn more. You can reach out to ReKlame to:

• Arrange for a virtual appointment within 48 hours
• Get care that’s covered by Medicaid, Medicare, self-pay and many insurance companies
• Discuss your experiences with medication with a psychiatric nurse practitioner and care navigator
• Give someone you love a safe space to discuss their experiences with medication
• Define goals in future treatment and get support and resources from a care team
• Learn emotional regulation skills and find other tools for a healthier life

Give our care team a call today for more information, check your eligibility for free online or book an initial appointment online.