Experts distinguish between drugs that can lead to abuse and those that cause addiction. About four to five percent of all prescribed medications have their own potential for abuse or dependency. With an estimated 1.4 to 1.5 million people in Germany, there is the German Head Office for Addiction Questions e. V. (DHS) according to almost as many drug addicts as alcohol addicts.
While around 26 percent of women take an addictive drug at least once a week, the figure for men is around 20 percent.
Abuse potential for many drugs sold
“Alone among the 20 best-selling preparations in pharmacies there are numerous with a potential for abuse,” says Dr. medical Rüdiger Holzbach, Chief Physician at the Clinic for Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Psychosomatic Medicine at the Hochsauerland Clinic.
“If prescribed and used properly, i.e. usually for a short time and in low doses, the risk of abuse or the development of dependency can be classified as low.”
Abuse and addiction: the difference
Substances that can cause physical dependence can be abused and/or addictive. Substances that do not result in physical dependence can be abused. Doctors speak of drug abuse when the drug is no longer taken as intended and continues to be taken despite consequential damage.
According to the Deutsche Hauptstelle für Suchtfragen e. V. Amphetamines, barbiturates, benzodiazepines, non-benzodiazepines (Z-Drugs), anesthetics and painkillers containing opiates. The following substances can lead to abuse: antidepressants, antihistamines, over-the-counter analgesics, ephedrine, laxatives, nasal spray and decongestants.
Drug dependency: These drugs carry risks
The most important drugs with a potential for abuse and/or dependence in terms of their distribution belong to the groups of sleeping pills and sedatives (especially benzodiazepines and benzodiazepine-like active substances), AD(H)S drugs and painkillers and narcotics (opiates, opiate-like and opioid analgesics).
“With regard to the risk of dependency, sleeping pills and tranquilizers from the benzodiazepine family are of particular importance,” says Holzbach. “Benzodiazepines are good and indispensable drugs for acute crisis situations.
They have a calming, sleep-inducing, anxiolytic, muscle-relaxing effect and against epileptic seizures.” However, they should only be taken for a limited time and do not heal the underlying disease. In Germany, about a third of all people with benzodiazepine medication take these drugs for longer than recommended by experts in the guidelines of the professional societies.
When is drug dependency present?
According to the WHO classification system ICD-10 (International Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems, 10th revision), the criteria for a dependency include the following points:
There is a strong desire or compulsion to take the drug.
There is a reduced ability to control the start, amount and end of intake.
Physical withdrawal symptoms occur when the drug is stopped.
The dose must always be increased in order to achieve the desired effect (development of tolerance).
Everyday life revolves mainly around obtaining the substance, consumption and recovery from consumption – combined with neglecting other interests.
Continuation of consumption despite psychological, physical and social consequential damage.
Addiction diagnosis through withdrawal symptoms
If at least three of the six criteria apply within the past year, the diagnosis of drug dependence can be made. A dependency is characterized by the fact that voluntary control is severely restricted.
This loss of control is due to biological changes taking place in the brain as a result of substance use. As the biological changes progress, it becomes more difficult for those affected to exercise control over their behavior. Drug dependency usually only becomes apparent through the withdrawal symptoms when the drug is discontinued.
This rule will help prevent drug addiction
Physicians have a great responsibility for the patients to whom they prescribe drugs that have the potential for abuse and/or dependency.
“The 4-K rule is an important orientation: specific diagnosis, smallest dose, short-term use, no abrupt discontinuation,” says Holzbach. “In addition, the patients should be informed about the risk of dependency and the medication should only be given as part of an overall treatment plan.”
Addiction to over-the-counter painkillers?
Over-the-counter painkillers with the active ingredients ibuprofen, paracetamol, diclofenac or acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) are used to treat pain, inflammation and fever.
If these are taken too often, for too long or in too high a dose, dull headaches can occur. These drug-induced headaches carry the risk of painkiller abuse as sufferers continue to take these painkillers to manage the headache. A vicious circle arises.
Long-term use of over-the-counter pain relievers without medical supervision carries the risk of serious side effects. Among other things, organ damage such as liver failure, kidney failure and stomach ulcers are possible, as is internal bleeding. Experts advise always taking over-the-counter painkillers as recommended by your doctor or according to the package insert and not taking the painkillers more than ten times a month and for no more than three days at a time.
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Source: NationalTurk
