While prescription medications are essential to help manage several different health conditions, they can be very dangerous if patients misuse them. Over the past several years, prescription drug use has been growing and the use of these drugs for nonmedical or illicit purposes is on the rise, presenting concerns about mental well-being. In this blog, we will discuss how misusing prescription drugs can affect mental health, how to detect this, what to do about it, and what to do next.

Knowing About Prescription Drug Abuse

Misuse of prescription drugs is using medications in ways following a prescription by a health care professional. Examples of this are taking doses that are higher, using someone else’s medication, or taking drugs for the euphoric effect, rather than for their intended medical purpose. Prescription drug categories such as sedatives and stimulants are commonly misused.

Prescription medications are directed to treat certain conditions, under the guidance of a medical doctor. They can use it wrong and change brain chemicals, become addicting, and cause severe mental health problems.

Effects of Prescription Drug Misuse on Mental Health

1. Risk of Anxiety and Depression Increased

Anxiety and depression are some of the most common effects of prescription drug misuse. Some medications that affect neurotransmitters in the brain that control mood and emotion. This misuse over time can disrupt normal brain function and problem-solving by increasing sadness, hopelessness, or fear.

2. Cognitive Impairment

Misusing prescription drugs may also lead to cognitive problems such as memory loss, poor concentration, and trouble with making decisions. As a matter of fact: Stimulants and sedatives can significantly impact the brain, impair thinking, and hamper performing everyday tasks.

3. Mood Instability

Commonly abused prescription drugs can cause mood swings. Chances are, they are because of fluctuations in brain chemistry as the body becomes reliant on the medication to produce feelings of pleasure or feel tranquil. Irritability, agitation, and even aggression can result from the withdrawal period that passes between doses.

4. Increased Risk of Addiction

It leads people to repeat misuse, changing how the brain’s reward system works so routinely used drugs are harder to pleasure without them. The cycle results in a strong dependency so that you cannot quit on your own the medication without professional help. As addiction has many mental health issues associated with it — for example, paranoia, social withdrawal, etc. — they also come with a range of physical ailments as well.

5. Sleep Disorders

A very large number of misused prescription drugs affect sleep patterns. Stimulants can make you constantly want to be awake, and sedatives may initially do the trick of getting you to sleep until day breaks, but eventually, they will send you on crazy tirades of sleep. Even more, sleep deprivation plays a role in worsening mental health conditions such as increasing anxiety and cognitive dysfunction.

6. Increased Risk of Psychosis

In the worst case, misusing prescription drugs leads to psychotic episodes. Stimulants and certain sedative-hypnotic medications can give rise to hallucinations, paranoia, and delusional thinking, particularly in the misuse of such drugs. Immediate medical intervention is needed to these effects.

Social and Emotional Impact

Prescription drug misuse does not only affect the individual’s mental state but also has broader social implications:

 – Relationship Strain: Misuse can create conflict in the family and with friends caused by erratic behavior and unreliability.

 – Employment Issues: Mood swings and cognitive impairment can affect the job performance and lead to job loss.

 – Legal Consequences: Can you use prescription drugs unlawfully? Yes, it is. It is a criminal offense, to possess or use prescription drugs without a proper prescription to do so.

To Know the Signs of Prescription Drug Misuse

Saying that there would be no warning signs of misuse is misguided — it is always important to seek help as soon as possible when you notice warning signs of misuse. Common indicators include:

 – Frequent trips to the doctor for prescription refills or from using multiple doctors to get the same prescription.

– Changes in behavior, such as irritability, isolation, or deteriorating personal hygiene.

– Spending on getting medications illegally causes financial problems.

– Prevention and Treatment

Education and Awareness

It’s important to understand what prescription drug misuse is and what comes with it. To significantly reduce the misuse, more education of patients and caregivers about the risks of incorrect medication use can be done.

Proper Medication Management

Very precise following such instructions as told by the healthcare provider, and responsibly throwing away unused medications can stop misuse. Do not share prescriptions with other people; it can increase misuse and addiction.

Seek Professional Help

There are professional treatment options for people who are also struggling with misuse. Centers like Palm Coast Treatment Solutions have comprehensive programs providing customized comprehensive care plans for both addiction and underlying mental health issues. The programs include behavioral therapy counseling and medication-assisted treatment where appropriate.

Prescription medications are powerful tools of health management but their use can have devastating effects on mental health. To prevent and recover, we recognize the signs and the risks of misuse. Contact Palm Coast Treatment Solutions at (386) 284-4151 if you or a loved one needs help. We have compassionate care and effective solutions because of our expert team to help you get control and improve your mental health.