Approximately 20 percent of Americans have used prescription drugs for non-medical reasons, according to the National Institutes of Health. Not only are doctors prescribing more drugs for health problems than ever before, but online pharmacies make it easier for people to get prescription drugs without a prescription. Learning about the dangers of prescription drug abuse may help prevent additional cases of abuse from occurring.
Signs
Common signs of prescription drug abuse include excessive mood swings, poor decision-making abilities, an increase or decrease in energy, and an increase or decrease in sleep. Prescription drug abusers are likely to take more medication than prescribed and seek prescriptions from more than one doctor. They may also pretend to lose prescriptions to get more medication and forge or steal prescriptions, according to MayoClinic.com. In addition, people may display other specific signs depending upon the type of prescription medication they are abusing. Those abusing opioid painkillers may experience confusion, low blood pressure, slowed breathing, depression and constipation. Individuals abusing sedatives or tranquilizers may experience drowsiness, poor judgment, unsteady gait, involuntary eye movements and confusion. Stimulant medication abuse can lead to weight loss, irritability, insomnia, agitation, irregular heartbeat and high blood pressure.
Risk Factors
Although it is impossible to predict who will abuse prescription drugs, possessing many of the common risk factors may make abuse more likely. Risk factors include exposure to peer pressure, exposure to a social environment of drug use, easy access to prescription drugs, and past or present addiction to other substances. Young people, between their teens and early 20s, and those who lack knowledge about prescription drugs are also at greater risk for drug abuse. Everyone should be conscientious about their use of prescription drugs, but particularly people with any of these risk factors.
Health Effects
The specific health risks of abusing prescription drugs depend upon the type of drug people are abusing, explains the Office of National Drug Control Policy. The abuse of narcotics, pain relievers and opioids can slow or stop breathing. The abuse of benzodiazepines, tranquilizers, barbiturates and sedatives can result in seizure, decreased heart rate and respiratory depression. Stimulant abuse may lead to irregular heart rate, seizure, high body temperature and cardiovascular system failure. Using prescription medication in a way it was not intended, taking too much of a medication or taking a medication with other medications can be fatal.
Misconceptions
Many people have a false sense of security when taking prescription drugs and wrongly believe that these medications are safer than street drugs. However, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration points out this is not true and prescription medications can be just as dangerous and addictive.
Solution
Solving the problem of prescription drug abuse takes teamwork. People need to learn the dangers of prescription drug abuse and follow the recommendations of doctors when taking prescription medication. Parents should talk to their children and teenagers about prescription drug abuse. They should also keep medications locked up, monitor their children for signs of prescription drug abuse and seek help when necessary. Pharmacists need to explain how to take medications appropriately, and should monitor prescriptions for falsification and alterations and look for signs that a patient may be “doctor shopping.” Doctors should monitor their patients for signs of prescription drug abuse and help them seek treatment when necessary.
