3 Addictive Medications You Should Stay Away From

The invention of medicines changed human lives. For example, the first antibiotic ever created helped save millions of people around the world. But what happens when medications become the reason for our pain and addiction? 

About 18.2 % of Americans have deliberately misused prescription drugs. For instance, some people rely on Alprazolam, sold as Xanax, to manage pain and anxiety. 

This drug acts as a fast-acting tranquilizer that can make you feel better in an instant. But it comes with a long list of side effects like dizziness or irritability. Similarly, people can get addicted to Xanax. Moreover, users can become addicted if they take this drug for a prolonged period or in high dosage.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration or FDA states that some medicines come with a truckload of side effects. They only approve of the ones with benefits that transcend the disadvantages. 

Even then, certain medicines have FDA approval but are too dangerous and addictive for daily use. 

#1. Acetaminophen

This medication is commonly known by its brand name, Tylenol. People use this paracetamol for headaches, mild fever, and body pain. Moreover, some of the side effects of acetaminophen include nausea, abdominal pain, itchy skin, swelling of the face or throat, anaphylactic reactions, and more. 

Ideally, Acetaminophen or Tylenol is not a severely habit-forming medication. However, withdrawal symptoms are common in most cases where patients have taken this drug for a prolonged period. 

Upon research, it was found that prenatal exposure to Tylenol had links to Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in children. 

Johnson & Johnson marketed Tylenol as a safe drug and misinformed the consumers. Once pregnant women and their families came to know about the side effects, they started filing lawsuits. As a result, a class action Tylenol lawsuit was filed. The distributors and manufacturers were held liable for the damage and medical bills. 

TorHoerman Law states that affected families can expect settlement amounts of up to USD 500,000. Instead of taking medication, you can rely on natural pain relievers like turmeric, ginger, clove oil, etc. 

#2. Adderall and Mydayis

Mydayis and Adderall is a combination drug that acts as a stimulant. It was approved by the FDA back in 2002. You can use it to treat ADHD and narcolepsy. Due to the combination of various stimulants, this medication enhances the brain’s neurotransmitters, increasing serotonin secretion. 

About 8.7 million Americans have ADHD, but 41.1 million people use Adderall. That proves a moderate to high dependence on the drug. However, prolonged use can cause cardiac arrest and strokes in individuals with underlying heart conditions. 

It can also lead to epilepsy, seizures, kidney disease, and more. Due to its ability to alter your attention span and energy levels, many use Adderall and Mydayis as recreational drugs. These drugs are psychoactive and induce an altered state of consciousness. Hence, people can use it for pleasure or casual pastime.

According to The Dallas Morning News, natural supplements like Vyvamind and Noocube are great alternatives. 

#3. Hydrocodone 

Commonly known as Vicodin, this narcotic opioid medication helps with bodily pain. When you take this medication, it can alter your brain or trick it into thinking that the pain is gone. Moreover, the composition is similar to acetaminophen but is less potent. 

Prolonged use of hydrocodone can cause rashes, blockage in your stomach, kidney diseases, seizures, and more. Furthermore, it can cause breathing issues, sleep apnea, asthma, and problems with your thyroid. 

Due to the effects, many individuals become addicted to this drug. A famous NFL player, Charles Johnson died due to a toxic overdose of Hydrocodone, Oxycodone, and Mirtazapine. Similarly, a high school student died because of Hydrocodone and Fentanyl overdose. 

As a result, most opioid manufacturers received lawsuits and are now liable to pay a lump sum of USD 26 billion as a settlement. 

How to Deal With Withdrawal Symptoms?

The common symptoms of withdrawal from habit-forming medication or drugs include anxiety, depression, irritability, fatigue, and mood swings. Hence, you can follow these tips for a healthy lifestyle after throwing away the medicines: 

• Do not close off your feelings, instead work through the grief and turmoil 
• Seek help from a trained mental health professional 
• Remember that the anxiety you feel is normal and part of the process 
• Remind yourself that you are safe and looking forward to a positive change 
• Practice relaxation techniques like yoga and rest your body 

Usually, the healing process depends on the length and intensity of your addiction to the medication. You can expect it to become better in a few days to a few weeks. 

The Bottom Line

As you can see, prescription drugs can help you get better, but they can also be dangerous and habit-forming. Therefore, try to research the side effects of every medicine that you buy. To manage the side effects, you can consult a pharmacist about dosage and allergies. 

Medications like Tylenol, Oxycodone, Adderall, and Vicodin might be safe if taken in a controlled dosage. But stay away from these medications if you are pregnant. Moreover, you might have withdrawal symptoms from some of these drugs. 

In that case, go see a therapist, do not bottle up your grief, and get enough rest. This way, you will feel safe, and it will help you through the recovery process.