Learn the common myths and facts surrounding prescription drug abuse to rude the risk of dependence, overdose, and death.

1. Common Misconceptions about Prescription Drug Abuse
Doctors prescribed enough painkillers in 2010 to medicate every man, woman, and child in the
United States around the clock for one month. Unfortunately, the only thing more abundant in
the U.S. than prescription drugs is the number of misconceptions surrounding them. Rampant
drug abuse and misinformation are a dangerous combination, especially in the realm of
prescription medicine.
A prescription is good forever and for everything
Myth: Once a doctor writes a prescription, the patient can use the medication whenever and
however she chooses, including recreational purposes or to treat another condition.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, or CDC, says that more than 12 million people
in the United States used prescription drugs for non-medical reasons in 2010. Using a drug non-
medically means to take it to get high or to treat a different condition than the one the doctor had
intended when she wrote the prescription.
Fact: A patient should dispose of unused portions of all prescription medications when she no
longer needs it. Using a drug for non-medical reasons increases the risk for side effects,
adverse reactions, physical dependence, overdose, and death.
Only criminals need drug treatment
Myth: Someone can only develop a drug habit after using an illegal drug, like cocaine or heroin
Fact: Anyone can become physically dependent and require rehab treatment. For example, a
patient can become physically dependent on painkillers after using prescription drugs as
prescribed by his physician to treat a chronic illness, like arthritis, or after a traumatic injury.
According to results from a 2011 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, about 1.9 million
Americans are dependent on prescription painkillers including oxymorphone. This number has
grown slightly since 2004, when there were 1.4 million opioid-dependent people in the United
States. In contrast, that same survey estimates there are only 398,000 people physically
dependent on heroin.
Rehab treatment is necessary for those with physical dependence or addiction to prescription
drugs and illicit substances.
Sharing prescription drugs is legal
Myth: You can share medications with another person as long as you have a prescription.
Fact: It is illegal to share a prescription drug with another person, even if he has symptoms
similar to yours or even if he has a prescription for the same drug. Unless you are a registered

2. pharmacist, you are not legally entitled to dispense prescription medications to anyone other
than yourself and your children.
Everyone does it
Myth: Everyone thinks everyone else is doing drugs, building up a false perception that
prescription drug abuse is acceptable and widespread.
Fact: According to the 2010 National Survey on Drug Use and Health sponsored by the
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, only 5.9 percent of survey
respondents between the ages of 18 and 25 said they had used a prescription drug for non-
medical reasons in the previous month.
Nothing bad can happen
Myth: Many think nothing bad can happen when they use prescription drugs for non-medical
reasons
Fact:Each year since 2008, more than 14,800 people in the United States die from overdose of
prescription opioid drugs, such as OxyContin and hydrocodone. In fact, more people in the U.S.
die each year from prescription painkiller overdose than from overdose of cocaine and heroin
combined.
For every overdose death, there are:
• 10 admissions to a treatment facility for drug abuse
• 32 emergency department visits
• 130 people who abuse drugs or become physically dependent
Deaths from drug overdoses have tripled since 1990. This increase in deaths resulting from
prescription drug overdose parallels a 300 percent increase in prescription painkiller sales
during that same timeframe.
Dispelling myths about prescription drug abuse reduces the risk for adverse effects,
dependence, overdose, and death. Rehab treatment centers are excellent resources for drug
information. These health professionals are always willing to clear up common misconceptions
that could lead someone to drug abuse or dependence.