Mental Health Medication Abuse & Addiction Risks

While abusing any type of medication can be dangerous, it can be especially complicated if the medication you are abusing is one that you were legitimately prescribed and may need.

And, for people prescribed drugs for their mental health, abusing these medications can have devastating results for the mental health conditions that they were meant to treat.

Addiction to mental health medications can halt recovery and lead to the need for co-occurring treatment. However, recovery is possible.

Mental health medications are those that are meant to treat mental health disorders such as depression, anxiety, and bipolar disorder.

Because these medications are intended to help people feel better, people may start to take them at improper doses in an attempt to feel even better.

Or, they may feel that their prescribed dose is not working for them and take a higher dose in order to better respond to its effects. This is called self-medication.

Lastly, a person may abuse a mental health medication because they have built up a tolerance to it over time and are not even aware of it.

Mental health medications are addictive in different ways, as they have different effects within the body and central nervous system.

In most cases, mental health medications lead people to feel better by elevating certain neurotransmitters or chemicals in their brain that produce pleasure and euphoria.

As time goes on, a person may discover they enjoy these feelings and want to experience them at a greater level by taking a higher dose of their medication.

With continued substance misuse, their body will produce less of these chemicals naturally. They will require more in order to feel the same effects, leading to physical dependence and eventually a prescription mental health drug addiction.

Anyone who has access to mental health medications is at risk for abusing them, whether they can buy the drug illegally or have a loved one with a prescription.

Those at the highest risk of a substance use disorder are those who are given a prescription for a mental health medication and end up abusing it over time.

For this reason, the biggest risk factor for abusing mental health medications is having an existing mental illness, such as:

• Depressive disorders
• Anxiety disorders
• Schizophrenia
• Mood disorders
• Personality disorders
• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

It is important to be able to recognize the signs and symptoms of prescription medication abuse, so you can recognize these signs in either yourself or a loved one.

Behavioral signs and symptoms of prescription medication abuse include:

• Experiencing frequent and intense mood swings
• Increased aggression or hostile behavior
• Taking doses higher or more frequently than prescribed
• Unusual sleeping habits
• Stealing pills or forging prescriptions
• Doctor shopping, or seeing multiple doctors in the hopes of obtaining multiple prescriptions
• Having intense cravings for the drug of use

Mental health medications is a term that encompasses several different types of medications used to treat a variety of different disorders.

Because all mental health medications have certain pleasurable effects on the body and brain, all types of these medications are a risk for drug abuse.

Antidepressants are used to treat depressive disorders by boosting a person’s mood and helping to keep them stable.

While most antidepressants are not considered addictive, some of them can have a sedation quality or other euphoric qualities that some might become addicted to.

Examples of antidepressants that can be abused include:

• Amitriptyline (brand name: Elavil)
• Fluvoxamine (brand name: Luvox)
• Trazodone (brand name: Desyrel)
• Venlafaxine (brand name: Effexor)

Anti-anxiety medications are often fast acting and are meant to relax and calm people down during times of stress and anxiety.

They can also cause a pleasurable euphoria or high, which is what often causes people to abuse them and eventually become addicted with continued abuse.

Examples of anti-anxiety medications that can be abused include:

• Buspirone (brand name: Buspar)
• Clonidine (brand name: Catapres)
• Escitalopram (brand name: Lexapro)

Barbiturates and benzodiazepines can be used to treat a variety of mental health conditions, including anxiety and insomnia.

They can also be used to treat someone with an alcohol use disorder, as they can help to manage withdrawal symptoms.

These types of drugs can also be highly addictive, as they are known for causing euphoria, relaxation, and other pleasurable effects. They can also be life-threatening if people attempt to stop taking them abruptly after a period of abuse.

Examples of barbiturates/benzodiazepines that can be abused include:

• Alprazolam (brand name: Xanax)
• Clonazepam (brand name: Klonopin)
• Diazepam (brand name: Valium)

Opioids are typically prescribed in order to treat moderate to severe pain, like the type of pain following a surgery or injury, as well as chronic pain.

They can also be considered a mental health treatment, as they are frequently used as part of medication-assisted treatment (MAT) for certain substance use disorders.

Examples of opioids that can be abused include:

• Methadone (brand name: Dolophine)
• Oxycodone (brand name: Roxicodone)
• Hydrocodone (brand name: Hysingla ER)

Stimulant mental health medications are typically prescribed for treating mental health problems like attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

These drugs are most commonly abused by young people and adolescents, as they are known to help people stay focused and alert while studying or working.

Examples of stimulants that can be abused include:

• Amphetamine-dextroamphetamine (brand name: Adderall)
• Methamphetamine (brand name: Desoxyn)
• Lisdexamfetamine (brand name: Vyvanse)

In addition to general side effects from taking mental health medications as prescribed, there are additional complications that can result from abusing them.

The exact complications that result will depend on the prescription medication being abused.

Side effects and complications of mental health medication abuse include:

• Permanent central nervous system damage
• Cardiac issues
• Increased risk of suicide and self-harm
• Worsening of symptoms related to depression and anxiety
• Tolerance, dependence, and addiction
• Strained personal relationships
• Problems at work or school

The longer a person abuses their mental health medication, the greater their risk of overdose becomes.

And while some mental health medications have a low risk of overdose, others have a very high risk of overdose. These include opioids and benzodiazepines.

An overdose on a prescription medication is a life-threatening emergency, and requires hospitalization in most cases.

Once a person has recovered from an overdose, their mental health will also need to be addressed and whether they should continue on their prescribed medication.

Fortunately, prescription medication abuse is a treatable condition and many people are able to get back on track.

When treating this type of addiction, however, it is essential to also treat the mental health condition that the person was originally being treated for alongside their addiction.

People who are in recovery for a mental health medication addiction generally have two options available going forward.

They can either taper off the medication that they are addicted to at a rate that is comfortable and under the direction of a healthcare professional.

Or, they can replace the mental health medication that they are addicted to with another, and preferably one that is considered safer and less addictive.

In either case, discussing an exact plan for the method you choose with your healthcare professional is crucial for success.

Treatment programs that address substance use disorders and mental health issues at the same time are known as dual diagnosis treatment.

This type of treatment addresses co-occurring disorders by offering addiction treatments, like detox and 12-step support groups, at the same time as mental health treatments, like therapy.

Treatment programs for medication abuse and mental health issues include:

• Detox: This type of program can help people to achieve sobriety before they start attending treatment for their mental health.
• Residential treatment: Also known as inpatient treatment, this type of program offers 24/7 care and supervision, and can be best for people who are at a risk of suicide, self-harm, or relapse.
• Outpatient treatment: As the most flexible form of treatment, outpatient programs allow people to access therapy as needed or on a regular basis by appointment.

Therapy is an essential component of any type of recovery program, whether for substance abuse or a mental health disorder. Therapy is also essential when treating both conditions at the same time.

Therapy options for medication abuse and mental health issues include:

• Individual therapy: one-on-one psychotherapy, during which the person can explore both their medication abuse and any underlying mental health issues they have.
• Group therapy: a type of therapy performed in a small group with a single mental health professional to provide structure and guidance to discussions.
• Family therapy: a type of therapy that encourages family members to participate in order to strengthen relationships and communication at home.
• Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT): a behavioral therapy that is used for treating depression, anxiety, and substance use disorders, by helping people to identify and change their negative thoughts and behaviors.

For anyone who is overcoming an addiction of any kind, continuing care is very important. This is especially true if they still have a mental health condition that requires treatment.

Continuing care options for medication abuse and mental health issues include:

• Ongoing outpatient care: typically includes various types of therapy on an outpatient basis, and can also include medication-assisted treatment for opioid use disorders.
• Telehealth options: because not all patients are able to attend therapy in person, some treatment centers may offer virtual options.
• Medication management: for people who need continued support as they take medication in managing their doses and side effects.

Abusing a medication that is necessary for your mental health is a complicated situation, but one that you should never have to feel alone in.

If you or a loved one is in this position, please do not hesitate to reach out to us at PsyWeb on our helpline for assistance in locating a treatment center nearby.

It is never too late to get started on your journey to well-being — contact us now to learn more.