Prescription drugs bring great benefits to many people when used properly. The medication can relieve suffering for people with chronic pain, reduce anxiety and sleep disorders, or provide help for those with such conditions as attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). But drugs can be abused when the wrong dosage is taken, when addiction takes place or when they are used by addicts who illegally obtain the drugs.
Significance
Prescription drug abuse is a widespread problem among people of all age groups and economic backgrounds, according to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). These drugs can be stolen and sold on the street. But they can also be taken by people who are addicted to drugs and steal them from the homes of friends or relatives. Young people may steal them to sell in the schools. Some people who have become dependent on a medication will go to various doctors to get prescription drugs, known as "doctor shopping." Senior citizens who become addicted to pain medication may falsify information to get more drugs, SAMHSA explains.
Potential
The appeal of using and selling prescription drugs comes from the easy access to them. The drugs are sold in pharmacies legally, even if they are later stolen or used illegally, and they can be easily purchased through the Internet without a doctor's prescription. Illicit prescription drug use has spread throughout high schools and colleges where students feel they need something to deal with their stress. Painkillers, depressants and stimulants are widely used by students, SAMHSA says.
Misconceptions
Prescription pain relievers taken illicitly may be as popular or more popular than using marijuana or taking cocaine, according to the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), which notes that opioids cause more overdose deaths than cocaine and heroin combined. The number of Americans abusing prescription drugs jumped from 3.8 million people in 2000 to 7 million in 2006, the DEA says. The rising number of teens using prescription drugs is compounded by the problem that many parents think taking prescription drugs is safer than using street drugs, the DEA notes.
Effects of Painkillers
Opioids are prescribed for pain. The medication can be taken orally or crushed into powder to be snorted or injected by abusers, according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA). Many deaths have occurred from prescription opioid drugs such as oxycodone when snorted or injected. These drugs are often designed for slow release, but the rapid release of the drug into the bloodstream can result in overdose.
Depressants/Stimulants
Central nervous system depressants are prescribed to treat anxiety and sleep disorders, but they can become addictive when not taken as prescribed. Abusers may use depressants in combination with other drugs to counteract the depressive reactions, such as using them with stimulants, according to NIDA. Combining stimulants with other drugs can slow the heart rate and respiration, risking death. Prescription stimulants are intended to help treat ADHD and narcolepsy. But they are abused by some people for performance enhancement or as recreational drugs. Stimulant abuse can lead to aggressive behavior or paranoia. High doses of stimulants can cause irregular heartbeat, heart failure or seizures.
