Prescription Drugs
Prescription drugs are used in a nonmedical capacity, or abused, by 20 percent of Americans. Abuse of prescription drugs is simply defined as using prescription drugs that were not prescribed for the individual by a physician; or medications that were used only for the experience of using the prescription drugs.
With 48 million people abusing prescription drugs, the medical community is taking note. Theories to the rise of abuse are that more drugs are being prescribed than ever before, and many are gaining easy access with online pharmacies.
The most common categories of prescription drugs that can lead to prescription drug addiction are:
- Opioids, which are prescribed to treat pain, most commonly known as narcotic painkillers. Some examples of these prescription drugs are morphine, codeine and Oxycodone.
- Central Nervous System (CNS) depressants, such as sedatives and tranquilizers, prescribed for sleeping disorders and anxiety disorders. Some examples of these prescription drugs are Mebaral, Xanax, and Valium.
- Stimulants, prescribed for ADHD and narcolepsy. Some examples of these prescription drugs are Dexedrine, Adderall and Ritalin.
Lakeview Health Systems offers a nationally-recognized rehabilitation program to help you deal with an addiction to prescription drugs. Call us 24 hours a day, seven days a week at 1-800-657-4357.
In 2002, it was estimated that 4.7 million Americans used prescription drugs for other than medical purposes for the first time. The most popular prescription drugs of abuse are pain relievers, tranquilizers, stimulants, and sedatives.
The NIDA reports three major trends in this increase abuse prescription drugs.
The Elderly. The elderly, persons aged 65 or older; make up 1/3 of all prescription drug abusers in the U.S. They are prescribed more prescription drugs than their younger counter parts, and may be taking prescription drugs even when medication is not necessary.
With the increased amount of illnesses, changes in drug metabolism and increase chance of drug interactions, the elderly have a higher risk when it comes to abusing prescription drugs than other age groups.
Adolescents/Young Adults. It is estimated that 4 percent of youth (aged 12 to 17) have used prescription drugs for nonmedical purposes; 6 percent for those 18 to 25.
Adolescents are finding the drugs from nearby sources. Fifty-three percent of pain reliever prescription drugs abusers obtained the pain relievers from a friend or relative for free.
The danger of prescription drugs with these age groups is addiction to other substances. For example, a 2005 report found 70.2 percent of youths who used prescription drugs for purposes other than medical used stimulants also used marijuana, compared to 12.1 percent of marijuana users that did not also use prescription drugs.
Women. Women are at a high risk for abusing prescription drugs because they are more likely to be prescribed drugs, and have a higher risk for abusing tranquilizers and narcotic analgesics, such as morphine.
Although women and men statistically use prescription drugs for non-medial purposes at the same rate, young females aged 12 to 17 are at risk. They are more likely to use psychotherapeutic prescription drugs than their male counterparts.
Trust Lakeview Health Systems to help with an addiction to prescription drugs. Our state-of-the-art facility, located in sunny Florida, offers those addicted to and abusing prescription drugs the rehabilitation they need to lead healthy, drug-free lives. Call us at 1-800-657-4357 or visit us at http://www.lakeviewhealth.com.
