One pill leads to another – addicted to prescription drugs

The many faces of addiction. Not only drugs, alcohol and tobacco, but also medication can be addictive. Often insidious and unnoticed. Because medicines are easy to access and are not problematic. According to estimates, around 400,000 people in Switzerland take medication every day with a potential risk of addiction. A consumption that is realistic. Above all, sleeping pills and sedatives from the group of benzodiazepines, also called “benzos” or Z drugs, and strong pain medication containing opioids put patients at risk of developing an addiction if they are not taken properly.

Thanks to dermatotine and alcohol dependency, dependency on these sources is already throughout Switzerland. Medicines for treating attention deficit/hyperactivity disorders, known as ritaline, can also be used, and should only be taken for treatment under ADHD. The same applies to cough remedies with the active substance

Of course, not all medicines are addictive, even if they are used over a longer period of time. Although many medicines, such as antidepressants, may lead to physical dependence, this is a long way from addiction. The body or mind gets used to the effect and reacts if intake is stopped abruptly. 

So, what is addiction? “An addiction is a medically diagnosable disease, it has nothing to do with lack of willpower,” explains Domenic Schnoz, head of the Zurich Centre for the Prevention of Substance Abuse (ZFPS) “Addiction is an illness that can be prevented and, above all, cured.” For a diagnosis of addiction, at least three of the following six symptoms must have been indicated within the last twelve months: 

• Strong desire or wish to take the medication.
• Developed a tolerance to the medication, i.e. when the dose or frequency of intake has to be increased to achieve the same effect.
• Physical effects of withdrawal as soon as you stop taking the medication or reduce the dose.
• Little control over the timing and frequency of consumption.
• Neglect other activities in favour of consumption, obtaining the substance or recovering from consumption.
• Clearly visible harm as a result of taking the medication. 

However, only a professional can actually diagnose addiction, because the common perception of addiction is often different to the medical diagnosis, explains Schnoz. “Being an addict doesn’t necessarily mean suffering shakes in the morning and immediately grasping for a glass of wine.” 

A person is most at risk of developing an addiction if they take prescription medicines without a medical prescription or if they don’t follow the doctor’s instructions – they either increase the dosage, take it for longer than recommended or without medical necessity. Prescription drug abuse can be life-threatening, especially if taken with alcohol or other substances.

Even if doctors monitor the intake of medication, addiction can occur, although the risk is much lower. Low-dose dependence, for example, is difficult to detect because the dose has never been increased and the withdrawal symptoms are similar to the original symptoms. A patient may therefore experience restlessness and anxiety again after stopping the sleeping pills and sedatives. What then look like symptoms are actually withdrawal symptoms. 

In order to prevent drug dependence, everyone involved has to play a part. “The doctor has to be careful when prescribing medicines and provide support while the patient is taking the medication. But patients also have a responsibility: They have to ask questions, gather information and consider alternatives,” says addiction expert Schnoz. A second opinion may be obtained in case of uncertainty. Top priority: Prescription drugs may only be prescribed by an attending physician and must be coordinated with any other medication the patient is taking.

If you suspect that you or a friend or relative of yours is addicted to prescription drugs, you should seek professional help. Going cold turkey on your own isn’t a good idea. First, it’s almost impossible to do on willpower alone and, second, it can have serious and life-threatening repercussions. The type of therapy depends on personal prerequisites and preferences. Options include withdrawal supported by your family doctor at home, outpatient treatment in an appropriate facility or an inpatient stay in a clinic. 

Medication can be an important part of treatment, but it is not the solution to every problem. Sleeping pills and sedatives in particular are usually intended for use in crises and not for long-term use. However, Schnoz points out that alternatives to drug treatment are not one-size-fits-all solutions.

“You have to find out what works for you, be it behavioural therapy, physiotherapy or alternative medicine For example, when it comes to pain management, there are cases where behavioural therapy can be more effective than medication.” Getting more exercise day-to-day, adjusting your lifestyle, sitting less and buying a new mattress are all ways that may help to reduce pain. And sleeping pills and sedatives tend to relieve the symptoms, but they don’t tackle the root of the problem and aren’t really a permanent solution. It is important to address the problem at all levels and to ensure that patients are offered long-term support.

If the nose is blocked, nasal sprays can be lost – who doesn’t want to breathe again quickly? But the case has a choice: The mucous membranes quickly get to the active ingredient of the Sprays, and it can be used to reduce the effect.

Once the effects have started, the nasal mucosa is even stronger than before. This can lead to a chronic cold, which reduces mucous membranes and becomes torn, frequent nose bleeding results in common nose bleeding. In the worst case, “Stinnbase” is likely to be. The dry nasal mucosa is harmful to the infestation of bacteria, which make up for a tasty smells. As our smell of smell is harmed, it usually occurs to the opposite.

Alternatives include Sprays with therapeutic solutions or with essential oils and nasal shower. If a birth has already been given, the nose has to be in the “Withdrawal”: 

• From 100 to: a “cold withdrawal” needs a lot of willpower and the risk of relapse is high.
• Gradual reduction: Fill the nasal spray with a solution. Once the bottle is re-empty, stretch the solution again. Continue until only solution in the bottle is left.
• 1-hole therapy: first aid off the nostril, then the second. 

In case of severe symptoms, a doctor should ask for advice.