Reasons Why Prescription Drugs Can Lead to Illegal Drug Use.
Can Prescription Drugs Lead to Illegal Drug Use?. Drug addiction can begin very unexpectedly, especially when the addiction develops because of the use of a prescription medication provided by a doctor. There are benefits to using prescription medications for a variety of health concerns, but it is possible for these prescriptions to be used improperly which can lead to addiction. Dependency on prescription drugs might lead to the use of illegal drugs, and there are a variety of reasons why a person might turn to illegal drugs after abusing prescription drugs.
Understanding this path can make it easier for you to recognize the signs of prescription and illegal drug use, and you should contact a non 12 step holistic addiction recovery program if you know someone who needs help overcoming their drug addiction.
Chemical Dependency within the Body
If a person has been using prescription medication, then it is possible for the medication to change the way the chemicals are being produced in the body. Changes in chemical balance and production can lead to a physical dependence on the medication because the body gets used to the chemicals from the drugs and begins going through withdrawals if those chemicals are no longer available.
Drug use can impact important chemicals in the brain such as dopamine and endorphins, which effects a person’s emotions and mood. When the chemical levels begin to decrease in the body, there is a strong urge to get another boost of chemicals by using the medication again.
But, it becomes more difficult to feed the addiction when the person no longer has access to prescription medication, which might make them turn to other sources instead. If the body has become chemically dependent on prescription medications and those medications are no longer available, then the person might turn to illegal drugs instead.
Easy Access to Illegal Drugs
It can be difficult to get enough prescription medication to continue supporting the addiction, especially since the person needs to get a prescription from a doctor. Even if the prescriptions are obtained, there are safety procedures in place at the pharmacies to detect unusual activity, such as a person filling multiple prescriptions from different doctors or getting more medication than they actually need. Because of these safety measures for legal prescription medication, sometimes people will turn to illegal drugs since they are easier to access.
You might be surprised at the fact that illegal drugs can be easily accessed, but once you know where to look it is possible to find illegal drugs from dealers on the street. Sometimes, an addict might go to a street dealer in an attempt to get access to the same prescription medications that they were using, which eventually leads them to buy illegal drugs as well.
Overcoming Drug Addiction
Regardless of the drug dependence is on prescription drugs or illegal drugs, it is important to seek help from a non 12 step holistic addiction recovery center. Our program at The Sanctuary at Sedona provides the support that you need to overcome any type of addiction. Many people prefer the non 12 step addiction recovery over some of the traditional programs because this approach is very effective for long-term recovery.
If you would like more information, about Holistic Addiction Recovery or any of our holistic non 12 step addiction recovery programs you can contact us by phone at (877) 710-3385, or by email at [email protected]
He is the Founder, Administrator, Counselor at the Sanctuary at Sedona. He has a BA in Political Science and is currently Senior teaching staff at Four Winds Society, an international school of energy medicine. His credentials also include being an Ordained Minister; a Certified Shamanic Breathwork® Facilitator; a Founding Member Society for Shamanic Practitioners; a Member of Association for Comprehensive Energy Psychology; a Member of the National Institute for Holistic Addiction Studies. [email protected]
Resources:
http://healthimpactnews.com/2012/legal-drugs-vs-illegal-drugs-are-we-fighting-the-right-war/