I haven’t been around for very long, but I’m quite certain that the rate of people taking anti-depressants has drastically increased in the last decade. While many believe that no harm can come from using these drugs, grave consequences can arise including death. On the other hand there are people that require these medications to function although it’s due to their addiction to the drugs. Prescription drugs should only be used after they have been suggested by a physician and if specified rules of use are followed.

Why do people abuse these drugs?
I am often described as a happy person so it’s a bit more difficult for me to understand why people get entangled in these prescription drugs. Sometimes I try to put myself into people’s shoes and I often still can’t understand why. Well, according to addicts, it is fairly easy because, they try it, like it, use it, and eventually abuse it. The accessibility to these drugs is much easier than your regular cocaine. Drug dealers have kids break into people’s homes to steal these drugs. In other cases kids steal them from their parents or other relatives. Doctor’s also continue prescribing these drugs to patients they sympathize with or they’re plain corrupt.

The most common reactions to prescription drugs are:

• - Slower heart rate
• - Concentration problems
• - Reduction of respiration rate
• - Anxiety/Panic attacks
• - Vomiting
• - Loss of Appetite
• - Euphoria
• - Increase in body temperature
• - A reduction in energy levels
• - Paranoia
• - Lightheadedness

Usually once people start to take these drugs, anti-depressants, narcotic painkillers, sedatives, tranquilizers and steroids, it is very hard not to become addicted to them recommended by a physician or not. The addiction to these drugs is responsible for disturbing the brain functions by altering its biological and pathological processes. Lingering drug use changes the brain in fundamental and long-lasting ways which causes awful effects.

The Effects of prescription drugs include:

• - Addiction
• - Changes in weight
• - A lot of Lying
• - Poor relationships
• - Reduction in the functioning of the brain
• - An increase in probability of criminal activity
• - Heart problems
• - Lower self esteem
• - Poor performance at work
• - Poor performance in school
• - Coma
• - Overdose
• - Death

Addicts sometimes feel and see the changes their addiction brought to their lives. Sudden withdrawal from these medications can be very dangerous in some cases. To prevent the following symptoms, it’s safer to go to a rehabilitation center or a hospital so that professionals can help you through the process.

Withdrawal effects are:

• - Nausea
• - Insomnia
• - Mood Changes
• - Seizures
• - Anxiety
• - Increase In Blood Pressure
• - Heavy sweating
• - Pain
• - Death

How to prevent addictions
If you’re an adult in a terrible situation, you have to figure a way out of it because impossible is nothing. Addictions happen mostly because people don’t work out their problems from the start of them. An unhappy husband or wife nowadays rather popping pills than to confront his/her marital/financial/other problems. It may seem like the easier way out, but they forget that they will eventually sober up and the problems will still be the same.

Kids today like to take narcotic painkillers such as OxyContin or Vicodin just for fun. If you know a student that may potentially become addicted to these drugs, discuss it with your school counselor. This isn’t snitching, but caring for someone.

In many cases, people become addicted unintentionally as a long period of time they eventually will. To prevent this from taking place, one must always follow the directions your physician prescribed. If in case of chronic pain, the pain relievers do longer work, consult your physician instead of increasing your dosage. As a final point, never use other people’s prescriptions.

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