Prescription drug abuse and addiction is not only a popular topic, but an important one as well. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, approximately 28 million people, about 20 percent of the U.S population, have abused prescription drugs!
Prescription abuse is not only popular, but dangerous. Addiction, accidental overdoses and bodily damage is not only dangerous, but deadly.
“Prescription Drugs, Abuse, and Addiction”, Nora D. Volkow
According to “The Dark Side of Prescription Drugs”, the two most popular abused prescription drugs are benzodiazepines and opioids. Opioids are used for pain relief and benzodiazepines are basically tranquilizers used to treat anxiety. Dependence on drugs often results in addiction and abuse. Dependence happens when you take a prescription so often and for so long that you grow a tolerance, therefore, you must increase dosages to feel the same effect. Addiction also happens when you have been taking a certain drug so long that you feel like you must keep taking it to feel good, otherwise you will go into withdrawal.
You would think that prescription abuse would be most common with middle age people right? Wrong! The elderly are actually at a large risk for drug abuse. The National Clearinghouse for Alcohol and Drug Information states that 17 percent of adults over the age of 60 abuse prescription drugs; this age group makes up about 30 percent of prescription drug abusers! The elderly population is at such a large risk because the elderly often does not follow directions when taking a prescription. They can misunderstand the dosage and frequency; this can put them at risk for “accidental” abuse and addiction. Women are also at a big risk for becoming dependant on prescription drugs. Women are more likely than men to be treated for pain and anxiety, therefore, are more likely to become dependant on these drugs. Women are TWICE more likely than men to become addicted! Now, the younger generations are a whole different story…
“The Dark Side of Prescription Drugs”, Patty Geier
The 2002 National Survey on Drug Use and Health gave up a ton of statistics over abuse among kids. Beginning at age 12, kids are “trying” prescription drugs to get high and self-medicate. One may wonder how does a kid so young get their hands on prescription drugs like this? Well kids often get drugs from friends, peers, and in their OWN homes (in the medicine cabinet). They are easy to get a hold of, and kids get the misconception that they are safer than other drugs, and they’re not!
Statistics from the 2002 National Survey on Drug Use and Health
• 11 % of teens
• Painkillers are the most common drug used and abused by younger kids
• Stimulants are the most common drug abused by older teens
• Girls are more likely to abuse prescription drugs than boys
Statistics from the 2005 survey by the Partnership for a Drug Free America
• 1 out of 6 teens have abused pain medication
• 1 out of 10 teens have abused tranquilizers and stimulants
• 1 out of 11 teens have overused cough medicines
• Prescription drug abuse is highest in ages 18-25
• The youngest prescription drug abusers are ages 12-13
“Prescription Drugs Among the Youth", Perry Nelson
Prescription drug abuse and addiction is not only a “hot topic” because it is dangerous, but because it is so popular and common in not only adults, but is increasingly becoming more popular among the young generations.
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Crazy stats! Very informative vid!
ReplyDeleteVery informative!
ReplyDeleteAfter giving our teenage son a prescribed pain med for a back problem, and having him hallucinate and feel "weird" I became concerned that he might want to experiment with that weird feeling. Being aware that many kids get their drugs from home now has made us more vigilant as parents. This is an important message to get out there. Even if your child does not seem to have the propensity for drug use, drugs are rampant in the schools still and it is not above the peer group mentality to bully someone into checking out the parents med cabinet and get some drugs. Being a smart parent takes education like this site to help you stay aware.
ReplyDeleteKids and teens are just that, and they too can be very curious!
The addiction of prescription drugs can lead to serious health problems and we might be stuck between the struggle of life and death.
ReplyDeleteWe must not be addicted for any drug and doctor should take care of this before prescribing any medicine.
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