Addiction to Prescription Drugs

Addiction to prescription drugs is one of the fastest growing problems in America. The problem affects millions of individuals and has become a major health issue. Every day, there are reports of deaths from accidental overdose of prescription drugs. A recent study by researchers are the University of Michigan concluded that prescription drugs have become the drug of choice by many college students, with 20% admitting to using prescription painkillers at some point in their lives. Chances are, you know someone who has abused these medications. If you or a loved one is addicted to prescription drugs, The Right Step can help.

Types of Commonly Abused Prescriptions

Many people may be confused about which drugs are being abused. The 3 classes of prescription drugs that are most commonly abused include:

• Opioids - prescribed to treat pain, this class includes codeine, oxycodone, oxycontin, Percocet, morphine, Lortab, and Vicodin
• Central Nervous System (CNS) depressants, often called tranquilizers or sedatives - used to treat anxiety and sleep disorders including barbiturates, Valium, Xanax, and clonazepam.
• CNS stimulants – these are often used to treat the sleep disorder narcolepsy, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and obesity – drugs include dextroamphetamine, Ritalin, Phentermine and dexedrine.

The study done by UM is indicative of the problem. Researchers surveyed over 3,600 college students whose average age was just under 20 years old. After students were asked if they’d taken any of the types of prescription drugs, about 60% said they had used such drugs with a prescription for medical reasons, while 20% said they had taken the drugs for non-medical reasons. Another report also conducted by the University of Michigan research team showed that while the use of illicit drugs has decreased over the past decade, the use of prescription medications has done just the opposite. In the past year alone, 15% of 12th grade students admitted to having abused prescription drugs. Common justification is that since they are legal, they are safe. In reality, the stimulants and opioids in prescription drugs are just as dangerous as those found in street substances. But the drugs being legal leads many to believe that combining prescriptions is okay, and some do it without thinking of the consequences.

Prescription Drug Abuse a Continuing Problem

The increase in prescription drug abuse is a continuing problem in the U.S.  Contact The Right Step today to seek help if you or someone you know has an addiction to prescription medications.

Source: Reuters article, dated 3/3/2008. http://www.reuters.com/article/latestCrisis/idUSN03357573