Misusing prescription drugs means using someone else’s medicine or not taking your own medicine as recommended. This can include different types of medications like uppers, downers, anxiety drugs, or opioid painkillers. Misusing drugs can be very dangerous and may lead to serious health problems – even death. If you or someone you care about is struggling with this, it’s important to get professional help quickly.
Here are five easy-to-follow steps to help avoid addiction:
1) Be Careful about Peer Pressure
Often, we start trying drugs because friends are doing it, thinking it’s just for fun. But what starts as a social activity can turn into an addiction. If you feel pressured into using drugs by your friends, it might be time to take a step back. Good friends should never push you into risky behavior. Look for friends who enjoy safe and healthy activities.
2) Reflect on Your Addiction
The first step towards recovery is to think deeply about your situation. Consider how addiction is affecting your life negatively and how it would improve without drugs. A good way to reflect is by keeping a daily journal. Use it to note down patterns, triggers, goals, and what motivates you. This can guide you to plan your recovery.
3) Develop Coping Mechanisms
Life has its ups and downs, and it’s easy to turn to drugs when things get tough. Instead, think of healthier ways to cope with stress. Listening to music, working out, painting, reading, watching a film, or spending time with loved ones can all help. Make a list of activities that make you feel better and check it when you’re feeling down.
4) Take Medications Carefully
Many prescription medicines can be addictive. For example, prescription drugs cause more deaths than hard street drugs such as cocaine or heroin. If you tend to get hooked easily, you need to be careful, especially with highly addictive meds like opioids. Always take your drugs as prescribed by your doctor. If you’re worried about misuse, it might help to have someone you trust give you your medicine.
5) Discuss Risks with Your Doctor
Always let your doctor know about your medical history and any worries about addiction. This will help them prescribe the most suitable medicine for you. Some meds are more addictive than others, so make sure to discuss possible side effects before starting a new medicine.
Remember, it’s never too late to ask for help if you or someone you love is dealing with addiction. Therapy can help you get your life back, and these steps can prevent relapsing later on.
