2. Teenage Prescription Abuse
In this Special Report, Siobhan Morse, Executive Director of The National Institute For
Holistic Addiction Studies discusses Teenage Prescription Abuse.
What is prescription drug abuse?
Prescription drug abuse is when someone takes a
medication that was prescribed for someone else, or takes
their own prescription in a manner or dosage other than
what was prescribed.
Abuse can include taking a friend or relative's prescription
to get high, to treat pain, or because you think it will help
with studying or losing weight.
What are the most commonly abused prescription and over-the-counter drugs?
Opioids, such as the pain relievers Oxycontin and Vicodin are commonly abused.
Central nervous system depressants such as Xanax and Valium, and stimulants such
as Ritalin and Adderall also are commonly abused.
These are the most commonly abused prescription drugs.
Teenage Prescription Drug Abuse 2
3. Some drugs that are available
without a prescription also known
as over-the-counter drugs can be
dangerous if they are not taken
according to the directions on the
packaging.
For example, DXM, the active
ingredient found in many over-the-
counter cough suppressants is
sometimes abused, particularly by
youth.
How many teens are abusing prescription drugs?
Among youth 12-17 years old, 7.7% reported the non-medical use of prescription
medications in the past year. According the 2010 monitoring the future survey,
prescription and over-the-counter drugs are among the most commonly abused drugs
by 12th graders after alcohol, marijuana and tobacco.
Youth who abuse prescription medications are also more likely to report use of other
drugs.
Where do teens get prescriptions drugs?
Teens and young adults obtain the majority of prescription
drugs from friend and relatives, and in one survey, 54% of
high school seniors said that opioid drugs other than heroin,
for example, Vicodin or Oxycontin would be fairly or very
easy to get.
Why do teens abuse prescription drugs?
Teens abuse prescription drugs for a number of reasons including to get high, to treat
pain, or because they think it will help them with school work. Interestingly, boys and
Teenage Prescription Drug Abuse 3
4. girls tend to abuse some types of prescription drugs for different reasons.
For example, boys are more likely to abuse prescription stimulants to get high while
girls tend to abuse them to stay alert or to lose weight.
Do you have more questions about teenage prescription drug abuse? Our
experienced counselors are available 24 hours a day to take your call and get you the
help or information you need.
Call our Toll-Free Recovery Hotline
at 1-800-303-2938 or visit our web
site at: http://drugrehabcenter.com
and discover the best treatment
options for you.
Our drug rehab center offers a
unique and affordable holistic
approach to addiction treatment.
Our holistic addiction and
treatment program has helped addicts from all over the United States, Europe and
Canada overcome their substance addictions and achieve long term recovery. We
treat the individual's specific needs, including working with families.
For more special reports on addiction issues, visit:
http://rehabcentersnetwork.com/addiction-special-reports
Teenage Prescription Drug Abuse 4
