Abusing, misusing prescription drugs is dangerous Published Feb. 24, 2012 Alcohol/Drug Abuse Prevetion-Treatment Office TINKER AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. -- Prescription drugs are medicines that are prescribed by physicians to treat a variety of conditions. When recommended by a physician, prescription drugs can be helpful for the treatment of different ailments. When misused or abused, they can have dangerous consequences ranging from addiction to death, depending on the medication. When taken as recommended and supervised by the treating physician, these medications can have a positive benefit. Prescribed medications are to be taken as recommended and only ingested by the person for whom they were prescribed. Medication should never be shared with others. A frequent misconception is that prescription medications are always safe since they are legal and prescribed by physicians. The truth is prescription drugs can be dangerous and potentially deadly if abused or misused. The most commonly abused prescription drugs fall into three categories: painkillers, sedatives, and stimulants. For the duration of this article, we will focus on pain medication in particular. Painkillers, what are they? Prescription painkillers often contain opioids that are either derived naturally from poppy flowers or a lab-made, synthetic substitute. These drugs attach to particular sites in the brain called opioid receptors, which carry messages to the brain. When you take prescription painkillers, the message the brain receives is changed, so that the pain is no longer perceived as painful. When taken under physician advice and oversight, these painkillers can alleviate a person's suffering by curtailing or numbing the pain. Unfortunately, if overused or abused they can become addictive. The most commonly abused pain medications include Vicodin, Oxycodone, OxyContin and Percocet. Consequences associated with painkiller abuse. These painkillers are powerful drugs that can be dangerous, or even deadly, especially when taken at high doses or combined with alcohol. A single large dose can cause breathing difficulty that can lead to death in severe cases. The short-term effects of painkiller abuse may include lack of energy, inability to concentrate, nausea and or vomiting. Almost all patients who are prescribed painkillers for an extended period of time can develop a "physical dependence," meaning that the body becomes accustomed to having the drug. Stopping the drug abruptly can cause severe withdrawal symptoms, so changes to these medications must be carefully monitored by a physician. Although very uncomfortable, withdrawal from opiates is not deadly in itself. Slow tapering off the medicine under medical supervision is ideal for long-term users. The bottom line. While painkillers can be very beneficial in treating a variety of health conditions, they are among the most commonly abused prescription drugs. Prescribed medications should always be taken as directed under the care of a physician, and medications should only be used to treat the ailment for which it was prescribed. For instance, if the pain medication was prescribed for foot surgery, it should not be taken six months later for back pain or this can result in a Uniform Code of Military Justice violation. Responsible use of prescription painkillers can enhance quality of life while preventing a range of uncomfortable and potentially dangerous symptoms. Should questions arise or if you would like more information on the above topic contact the ADAPT office at 739-7141.