If you are like most people in Illinois, you will need to take a prescription medication at some point in your life. This may happen if you need to reduce pain after an accident or medical procedure.
Regardless of the reason you may need to take a prescription drug, understanding the potential long-term implications of that medication is important for you. Many prescription drugs are addictive and can lead to criminal charges if you attempt to obtain the drug after your prescription runs out.
Prescription does not always guarantee safety
Your doctor, dentist or other health care provider may have recommended you use a certain medication, but that by no indication means that the drug is completely safe. Much evidence exists proving that many commonly prescribed medications contain highly addictive qualities. A drug addiction to a prescription medication may be no less challenging or damaging to your life than a drug addiction to an illegal substance.
Most addictive prescription drugs
According to WebMD, the most addictive prescription medications fall within one of three drug classifications: depressants, stimulants and opioids. Depressants may help people who struggle with sleep issues, anxiety or other mental health conditions. Stimulants may also help people with different sleep disorders, attention deficit issues, asthma, depression and more.
Opioids became popular due to their strong pain management capabilities, but their addictive nature has subsequently caused serious problems for many people across the United States.
This information is not intended to provide legal advice but is instead meant to give residents in Illinois an overview of the different classifications of prescription medications known to be the most addictive and linked to many overdoses, accidental deaths and criminal charges.