According to NIDA, a Prescription drug abuse  is the use of a medication without a prescription, in a way other than as prescribed, or for the experience or feelings elicited. According to several national surveys, prescription medications, such as those used to treat pain, attention deficit disorders, and anxiety, are being abused at a rate second only to marijuana among illicit drug users. The consequences of this abuse have been steadily worsening, reflected in increased treatment admissions, emergency room visits, and overdose deaths.

Some commonly abused prescription drugs are:  opioids-prescribed for pain: pain relievers OxyContin and Vicodin;  central nervous system depressants-for treating anxiety and sleep disorders: Xanax, Valium; and stimulants-for treating ADHD: Concerta, Adderall.  There are also over the counter drugs, that do not require prescription, that can become addictive:  cough and cold medications.

Often, the prescription drugs are abused by the means of taking someone else’s medications to relieve pain, or to fall asleep; other people take them to get euphoric reaction. Many prescription drugs come in the pill or capsule, however they may be administered differently by different means.

Prescription drug consumption for the long duration of time, may cause changes in the person body and in the brain, leading to dependency. The body adopts to the drug, and if the person stops, the withdrawal can  become seriously present. For many opiod prescription drugs, the withdrawal symptoms can include :  nausea, chills, vomiting, muscle pain, and diarrhea.

According to Mayo Clinic : Other prescription drug abuse symptoms include:

• Stealing, forging or selling prescriptions
• Taking higher doses than prescribed
• Excessive mood swings
• Increase or decrease in sleep
• Poor decision making
• Appearing to be high, unusually energetic or revved up, or sedated
• Continually “losing” prescriptions, so more prescriptions must be written
• Seeking prescriptions from more than one doctor

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/prescription-drug-abuse/DS01079/DSECTION=symptoms

There is an evidential reason why the prescription drugs are intended to be taken under medical care provider’s supervision. Prescription drugs can have a long term health risks if misused or used improperly. Many victims of prescription drug abuse, assume that taking these drugs might be much safer than using the illicit drugs. Unfortunately, due to an easy availability of the prescription drugs many  people including teens have misused them in the past decades.

Statistics: According to results from the 2010 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH), an estimated 2.4 million Americans used prescription drugs nonmedical  for the first time within the past year, which averages to approximately 6,600 initiates per day. More than one-half were females and about a third were aged 12 to 17. Although prescription drug abuse affects many Americans, certain populations, such as youth, older adults, and women, may be at particular risk. Overall, more males than females abuse prescription drugs in all age groups except the youngest (aged 12 to 17 years); that is, females in this age group exceed males in the nonmedical use of all psychotherapeutics, including pain relievers, tranquilizers, and stimulants. Among nonmedical users of prescription drugs, females 12 to 17 years old are also more likely to meet abuse or dependence criteria for psychotherapeutics.

In order to avoid serious side effects and health problems, it is recommended to see your doctor who prescribed the medication. The medical professional  is trained to assist you, and not  accuse you of any drug addiction. The sooner the addiction is identified, the easier it will be to target the problem before it turns in to a serious addiction.  In many cases confronting a young adult or a friend about prescription drug abuse, can result in denial and anger infused reactions. However, as a friend or a parent it is vital  to understand that approaching this matter in the supportive and encouraging way will be very helpful.

If the addiction seems to get out of control, seeking  an appropriate rehabilitation facility might be  the method that would have be used in order to help your loved one.

Call our Addiction Hot Line today to find the best help possible!

If you are looking for help for your loved one who is struggling with drug addiction, please call us today at Drug Addiction Hot Line at (855-829-9148)  http://addictionhotlinetoday.com/