Living in California today is undoubtedly much different than it might have been for the average person in the late 1800s. Times have changed. Such change has often included advancements in medical science, technology and other areas, which have brought increased levels of convenience, communication and life expectancy to the masses. For instance, you would likely have died from various infections or diseases long ago, which you have a good chance of surviving nowadays because of available treatments.
Many medical treatments include prescription drugs. Just as there are negative consequences to other types of man-made progress, such as air pollution related to motor vehicles, there are potential downsides to using prescription drugs as well. Because such drugs are often strong-acting and made with powerful chemicals, they may pose addiction problems for those prone to such conditions. Many California residents have also faced serious legal issues associated with prescription drugs. If you encounter problems, you’ll want to know where to turn for support.
Drugs that often lead to addiction, legal trouble, or both
If you suffer an injury in a California motor vehicle collision that leaves you in a lot of pain, it wouldn’t be out of the ordinary for a doctor treating your condition to prescribe medication. The following list includes frequently prescribed drugs, as well as some of the problems associated with their use:
- Medical doctors often recommend opioid medications to patients who suffer a lot of pain. Medications containing codeine, morphine, fentanyl or oxycodone are among the most commonly prescribed drugs for pain relief.
- If you use opioids outside the strict parameters of doctor supervision and legal restrictions, you are at great risk for addiction and/or legal problems.
- Many deaths occur due to opioid overdose.
- If you struggle with anxiety or a sleep deprivation disorder, your doctor may prescribe valium, Xanax or another central nervous system depressant.
- If, on the other hand, you suffer from narcolepsy, which is also a sleep-related disorder, you may find that taking drugs like Adderall or Ritalin help you avoid uncontrolled sleep episodes.
The two drugs mentioned in the previous section are stimulants. Many people, including some college students, licensed professionals and others often share, sell or otherwise misuse such drugs, which can not only cause adverse health effects but can land them in jail as well.
If you feel as though your use of prescription drugs has gotten out of hand and you would like to speak to someone about your problem, there are support networks available throughout the state. Reaching out for help is often the only way to beat a drug addiction problem. You can also tap into local resources for legal assistance if you’re facing criminal charges or other legal repercussions connected to prescription drugs.