Prescription Drug Abuse

Prescription drug abuse can be defined as intentionally using prescription medication in a manner other than prescribed. Some people find themselves increasing their prescription dosage to enhance or intensify the effects of their medication. Others have built up a tolerance to their medication and increase the dosage to achieve the same effect that was felt prior to the tolerance. Addiction to prescription medication can happen with relatively few uses. Depending on the medication, prescription drug addiction can be psychological or physical. Prescription drug abuse differs from prescription drug addiction in that the user can stop use without psychological or physical consequences. Addiction is characterized by the user's 'need' to take the drug. Without the drug, the user may become ill or believe that they can't function.

Prescription drug abuse crosses all ethnic, gender, and socio-economic boundaries. There is a misconception that prescription drug abuse differs from the abuse of 'street drugs' such as cocaine, heroin, or methamphetamines. On the contrary, prescription drug abuse can lead to addiction even faster than the use of street drugs, because pharmaceuticals are pure and uncut with adulterants. When doctors stop writing prescriptions for the drug, patients may find themselves writing fraudulent prescriptions to obtain the drug, 'scamming doctors' or visiting different doctors to get more prescriptions, or even substituting their prescription drug habit for a cheaper street drug.

Prescription drug abuse began making headlines more recently as recent studies show that as much as 20% of the U.S. population has abused or misused prescription drugs. The elderly are perhaps the most vulnerable to prescription drug addiction, because the elderly, on average, receive more medication than younger patients. Their medications also tend to be long-term which greatly increases the chance of addiction.Youth have taken to abusing over-the-counter (OTC) medications such as cough syrups containing dextromethorphan or mixing dangerous cocktails of prescription drugs found in their parent's medicine cabinet.

The three most commonly abused prescription drugs fall into three classes: opioids, central nervous system (CNS) depressants, and stimulants.

Opioids are commonly prescribed for pain from dental work, injuries, and surgeries. Mild painkillers may include Tylenol with codeine, Darvocet, Percocet (oxycodone), and Vicodin (hydrocodone). Those assessed with serious pain or in need of long-term treatment and pain management are often prescribed Oxycontin, Demerol, Dilaudids, or Morphine-- all of which pose a high-risk for addiction or abuse.

CNS depressants are commonly prescribed to treat anxiety and sleep disorders. Xanax, a benzodiazepene, is the most commonly abused anxiety medication. Barbiturates such as Phenobarbital, which is prescribed for seizures, is another commonly abused prescription drug.

Stimulants such as Ritalin (methylphenidate) or Adderall (dextroamphetamine) are prescribed for ADD, ADHD, and even depression. Their chemical structure resembles methamphetamine and poses a high-risk for abuse or addiction.

Prescription Drug Abuse

Prescription Drug Articles

NIDA Prescription Drug Report

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