About Pills Drug abuse isn’t just about street drugs. Besides marijuana, legal medicines are the most commonly abused drugs in the U.S. Over-the-counter and prescription drugs can help and heal us. But some can be addictive and dangerous if they’re used the wrong way.
Keep your family safe. Use this guide to help you spot some commonly misused medicines. Because drugs come in many forms, not all pills and tablets are shown. Drug pictures are not to scale.
Barbiturates
These are sedatives like phenobarbital, pentobarbital (Nembutal), and secobarbital (Seconal). They help with anxiety, sleep problems, and some seizures. But if you take more than prescribed, you can get addicted. High doses can cause trouble breathing, especially if you use them when you drink alcohol. If you can’t function without barbiturates, get help. Going into withdrawal can be dangerous.
Benzodiazepines
Alprazolam (Xanax), clonazepam (Klonopin) and diazepam (Valium) are two examples of benzodiazepines — another type of sedative that can help with anxiety, panic attacks, and sleep problems. They work well and they’re safer than barbiturates. But overused, and even used as prescribed, they can also lead to physical dependence and addiction. Stopping these medications abruptly can be dangerous. If you feel you depend on these medications, talk to your doctor. Prescription drugs shouldn’t be shared. They are only for the person with the prescription.
Sleep Medicines
If you have trouble sleeping, drugs like zolpidem (Ambient), eszopiclone (Lunesta), and zaleplon (Sonata) can help you get the rest you need. But if you use them longer than your doctor suggests, you may become dependent and need them to sleep. Practicing sleep hygiene skills is the best way to deal with sleep problems. Although they’re not as addictive as some sleeping pills, doctors are concerned about abuse if they’re not taken as prescribed.
OxyContin, Percocet
Another opioid painkiller is oxycodone. It’s in drugs like OxyContin, Percocet,Percodan, and Roxicodone. People who abuse oxycodone sometimes crush it and snort it or inject it — greatly raising the risk of overdose. Street names include “oxy,” “O.C.,” and “oxycotton” for OxyContin and “percs” for Percocet or Percodan.
It Makes You High
Let’s be honest: This is why most people use marijuana. THC is what causes the high. When you smoke marijuana, THC goes from your lungs to your bloodstream and then makes its way to your brain. There it connects to parts of certain cells called receptors. That’s what gives you those pleasant feelings. You can also get marijuana in things like cookies, gummies, and brownies. These are called edibles. They get into your blood through your digestive system.
