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April 15, 2023 – A rebound effect, which generally comes from medication misuse, is not the same as a true addiction, although there are nonprescription drugs that can be abused or contribute to an addiction relapse.

A person who is misusing an OTC drug can develop a physical dependency on the drug, which means their body comes to rely on it for a particular function. That isn’t the same as an addiction to a drug, which results in compulsive behavior to get the drug despite the sometimes devastating and even life-threatening repercussions. 

Addiction can happen with fentanyl, oxycodone, or illicit drugs like cocaine or heroin. Typically the person who has the addiction needs more and more of the substance to get the same high or other effects. That person keeps misusing a substance despite experiencing negative social, physical, and psychological consequences associated with the abuse, Dr. Kelly Johnson-Arbor, a medical toxicologist and interim executive director of the National Capital Poison Center, explained.

Rather than using substances for a high or to feel better, misuse means that people take a drug to treat a condition or symptoms but do so incorrectly.

“Misuse occurs when a person takes more of the medication than prescribed on the label, for a longer period of time, more often than what is recommended or is using it for a purpose other than what was intended,” explained Pat Aussem, associate vice president of Consumer Clinical Content Development at the Partnership to End Addiction.

That said, the physical consequences of misusing an OTC drug can be unpleasant and can include withdrawal or rebound symptoms. And misuse can lead to addiction when it comes to certain classes of medications, Johnson-Arbor explained.

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