Prescription Drug Abuse

Many people today have concerns about prescription drugs and prescription drug abuse. One may wonder when prescription drug use turns into prescription drug abuse, or even prescription drug addiction. People may be concerned about taking prescription drugs because of their addictive potential, or, on the other hand, may seek out certain prescription drugs because off the “high” they may cause. It is easy to justify the use, and also the misuse, of prescription drugs because they carry with them the legitimizing factor of a doctor’s approval. This can be especially dangerous for individuals who have a history of, or are otherwise prone to, substance abuse in the first place.

Prescription drug abuse is one of the fastest-rising types of drug abuse in the United States today. In the past 5 years, there have been significant increases in the amount of people using prescription stimulants (such as Adderall and Ritalin), painkillers (such as Vicodin and Soma), and central nervous system depressants (such as Xanax, Valium, Ativan). This may not look like a prescription drug abuse issue at first, until you see the corresponding correlation with more individuals seeking treatment for addiction to these same drugs over the same time period. This is an especially significant issue for young adults, who are likely to find prescription drugs available as part of the “party scene”. Non-medical use of prescription drugs increased from 5.5% of the population aged 18-25 in 2002 to 6% of the population aged 18-25 in 2007, and these numbers are continuing to climb.  In 2009, approximately 7 million people were current abusers of prescription drugs.

Prescription drug abuse by definition is the non-medical use of drugs that can be prescribed by a doctor. This is a broad definition, and the term “prescription drug abuse” can include using prescription drugs that were not prescribed to you, or even using your own prescription drugs in greater amounts than prescribed, greater frequencies than prescribed, or for a longer period of time than they are prescribed. Although prescription drug abuse seems more innocuous than other forms of drug abuse (It’s prescribed by a doctor, right? It can’t hurt me as much as a street drug), prescription drugs always carry with them the possibility of side effects, and in large doses, can even lead to heart problems, stroke, seizure, or other dangerous health consequences. Prescription drug abuse can also quickly turn lethal when people taking prescription drugs mix their prescriptions with alcohol or other drugs. This creates a potent cocktail, and one that can have serious or deadly consequences.

However, the good news is that with the increased problem of prescription drug abuse comes the increased recognition of it as a legitimate problem that requires effective treatment. There are now several drug rehabs and drug treatment specialists who treat prescription drug abuse similarly to how they would treat street drug abuse. Prescription drugs definitely have the potential for misuse, abuse, and dependency, but with the right treatment, prescription drug abuse does not have to take over one’s life. Options such as medically supervised detoxification, medication management, and cognitive or behavioral therapy are commonly used in the treatment of prescription drug abuse. Other therapeutic techniques are also gaining popularity, and many rehabs, intensive outpatient treatment centers, and sober livings actively treat prescription drug abuse in their facilities. Make sure you don’t ignore your prescription drug abuse concerns – getting treatment can save your life and offer you freedom from the prescription medications that hold you hostage.