Our society depends on pills for many reasons…
- About half of U.S women, 40% of men are recent or current prescription drug users!
- Over the last 15 years, people using prescription meds. non medically has QUADRUPLED!
- About 1 in 10 people have used pres. pain relievers non-medically in their lives…
1/3 of all drug abuse in the US is prescription drug abuse!
½ of chronic migraines, and as many as 25% of all headaches are actually ‘rebound’ episodes triggered by the overuse of common pain medications (both prescription and over the counter).
Prescription drugs are medicines that are often given to a patient by a doctor to treat a health condition.. In recent years the misuse and abuse has become a real problem and concern among our society. We like the quick fix and often times look to pills as the answer.
Over the Counter drugs are those which we often purchase when we have a headaches, the cold, relieve allergy symptoms and flu symptoms. However the potential for misuse and abuse among the youth population is quite high.
According to the 2004 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) they estimated that 6.0 million persons or 2.5% of the population age 12 and older have used prescription drugs non-medically, 4.4 million using pain relievers, 1.6 million tranquilizers, 1.2 million using stimulants and .3 million using sedatives. About half of women and 40% of men are recent or current prescription drug users (National Center for Health Statistics, January 2006)
What do I look for if I suspect someone is abusing prescription drugs? The person may exhibit slurred speech, staggering walk, sweating, nausea, vomiting, numbness of extremities, dilated pupils, drowsiness, dizziness. The individual may also have sudden personality changes, abuse other drugs along with prescription drugs (poly-drug use), steal others drugs to feed their habit.
Prescription Drugs Include:
Narcotics- (aka Oxycotin, Vicodin, Percocet) which are opioids that are prescribed for moderate to severe physical pain may lead to severe respiratory depression and death, repeated use can result in tolerance so that higher doses must be taken. These are often timed-released drugs, with 
a high potential for addiction.
It can also lead to physical dependenceafter long term use, withdrawal symptoms including restlessness, muscle and bone pain, insomnia, diarrhea, vomiting, cold flashes and goose bumps and involuntary leg movements.
Depressants- (aka - Xanax, Valium, and Librium) which are drugs that are prescribed to treat anxiety and sleep disorders will slow breathing, or slow both the heart and respiration, which can be fatal. They are highly addictive, withdrawal symptoms common after prolonged use and seizures may occur.
Stimulants- (aka - Ritalin, Dexedrine, and Adderall) which are drugs that are prescribed to treat ADD/ADHD and other conditions such as asthma are the development of an irregular heartbeat. The body temperature can rise to very dangerous levels leading to cardiovascular failure or deadly seizures. The drugs also may create feelings of hostility or paranoia. According to the Untied Nations, the US produces and consumes 85% of the worlds Ritalin.
Over the Counter Drugs Include:
- Weight Loss and alertness products containing caffeine, ephedrine and other stimulants (Dexatrim, No-Doz, Vivarin).
- Cough and cold medications containing dextromethorphan, alcohol, pseudoephedrine (Coricidin, Robotussin, Dimetapp, Sudafed, Nyquil). Allergy and sleep aids containing diphenhydramine and alcohol (Benadryl, Unisom)
- Motion sickness medication containing dimenhydrinate (Dramamine, Gravol)
- Energy and body-building products containing ephedra, ephedrine, caffeine and other stimulants (Ripped-fuel, Hydroxycut)
- 2004 -professional baseball pitcher dies from ephedra
- FDA outlaws ephedra in 2004, 2005 companies have law overturned, then in 2006 FDA once again outlaws ephedra
For additional information on Prescription and Over the Counter Drugs, check out these links;
MEADA Parent Brochure on Perscription Drugs
Parent Brochure on Perscription Drugs.pdf
Prescription Drugs
http://www.streetdrugs.org/prescription.htm
NIDA InfoFacts: Prescription Pain and Other Medications
http://www.nida.nih.gov/infofacts/painmed.html
Prescription Drug Abuse
http://www.theantidrug.com/drug_info/prescription_drugs.asp
Painfully Obvious
http://www.painfullyobvious.com
