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Millions of people worldwide use sleeping pills to help them sleep or manage sleep disorders. Of that, an estimated 50-70 million Americans use both prescription sleep medications as well as over the counter sleep medications to help treat conditions such as insomnia. Generally, sleeping pills are helpful to relieve stress, ease anxiety and enable restful sleep. It is meant to help users fall asleep faster, stay asleep for longer and improve the quality of sleep. Prescription sleep aids are safe when used as prescribed. However, like any substance that acts on the central nervous system, it can become addictive and can lead to overdose. Can you overdose on sleeping pills?

Xanax is a powerful benzodiazepine often prescribed to treat generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorders and sleep disorders. It is usually only recommended for short-term use due to its potency and high risk for dependence and addiction. This anti-anxiety medication works on the central nervous system to slow down brain activity helping the body to relax in order to alleviate symptoms of anxiety and panic. Because it is one of the most prescribed medications in the U.S., many users often knowingly or unknowingly mix this drug with alcohol.

Suboxone is one of the most commonly prescribed medications used to treat those with opioid use disorder. Suboxone is often used in medication assistance treatment (MAT) during the detox stage of recovery. First approved in 2002 by the FDA to treat opioid use disorder, the Schedule III controlled substance is considered to be the standard of care when it comes to medication treatments for chronic addiction to opioids. It has a low potential for abuse or addiction but can only be prescribed by specialized physicians.

The opioid epidemic has been making waves across the U.S. for some time now. In its current state, researchers are finding that fentanyl in combination with other drugs like heroin has become increasingly popular and could set off another wave of opioid-related overdose, addiction and deaths. Vivitrol, a naltrexone drug that is intramuscularly injected, is one solution in helping to combat the fight against opioids. Vivitrol is an opiate antagonist used in the treatment of opioid use disorder. This extended-release injection medication was approved by the FDA to treat both opioid use disorders as well as alcohol use disorders.

The long term effects of adderall are often underrepresented with many people focusing primarily on its short-term benefits for improving focus and productivity. Prolonged use can lead to serious consequences.

In 2016, over 10 million prescriptions of Clonidine were issued. This made it the 79th most prescribed medication in the U.S. Fast forward to 2020, an estimated 9 million prescriptions have been written for Clonidine. Despite the slight decline in the recommendation of Clonidine use, it is still a popularly prescribed medication used to treat a variety of conditions. Clonidine is a class of prescription medications called antihypertensives. The drug was first approved over 40 years ago to treat conditions of high blood pressure as well as a handful of off-label uses such as treating ADHD, Tourette syndrome, cancer-related pain, opioid withdrawal symptoms and alcohol withdrawal symptoms.

Flakka. A designer drug that causes hyperstimulation, increased strength and severe paranoia became quite popular in the mid-2000s. Alpha pyrrolidinopentiophenone also known as Alpha PVP, also known as flakka, was designed to mimic the effects of other stimulant hallucinogenics like ecstasy and LSD. Flakka is the street name for the synthetic man-made cathinone. The substance took its name from the Spanish colloquial slang term for a beautiful and charming woman, “la flaca.”

Designer drugs have been associated with the party scene for decades. The drug 3,4-methylenedioxy-methamphetamine, also known as MDMA, continues to be a popular substance among young people and partygoers. MDMA is a synthetic substance that acts as a stimulant and hallucinogen producing feelings of high energy, distorted perception and enhanced sensory experiences. People often use MDMA for its enhanced feelings of alertness, euphoria and sensational physical effects. It is an empathogen that can increase feelings of empathy and kindness. It also causes users to feel increased longings of being social and connected to others.

Methamphetamine (meth) is considered the second most popular illicit drug, after marijuana, globally. It is a highly addictive drug that can produce a sense of mind and body euphoria resulting in a high risk for addiction. The central nervous system stimulant is a potent substance that even first-time users can develop a strong urge to use again. In fact, even in small doses of the drug, physical and psychological dependence can quickly develop and lead to addiction. As a result of its potent and fast-acting nature, meth can remain in the body for a longer period of time even after its effects have ended. How long can meth stay in your urine? How long does meth stay in hair? What are some of the factors that influence the duration of meth?

There are over 100 types of anabolic steroids. Anabolic androgenic steroids are manufactured synthetic substances that mimic the effects of the male hormone testosterone. It is considered a class C drug that can only be issued and obtained with a medical prescription. Anabolic steroids are often medically prescribed to treat hormone imbalance, hypogonadism, breast cancers, osteoporosis, muscle loss due to tissue, certain types of anemia and endometriosis.