Approximately 20 percent of people have abused prescription medications, according to the National Institutes of Health. While these prescription medications can be a beneficial treatment option, abusing prescription medications cause serious health consequences and may even be fatal.
Risk Factors
Individuals possessing certain factors may be more likely to abuse prescription medications. These risk factors include being a teenager or young adult, living in an environment of drug use, exposure to peer pressure, a history of substance abuse or addiction, easy access to prescription medications and a lack of knowledge about the dangers of prescription drug abuse, explains the Mayo Clinic. People with these risk factors should take care to only using prescriptions as intended to avoid becoming a prescription drug abuser.
Warning Signs
Warning signs of prescription drug abuse often include an unexplained change in behavior or routine, secretiveness or mood swings, according to the Mayo Clinic. Prescription bottles belonging to others or unidentified pills may be found amidst the personal belongings of prescription drug abusers. Those who have a legitimate prescription may frequently "lose" their prescription or medication bottles in an attempt to obtain more of the drug. Others may resort to forging or stealing prescriptions to get the medication.
Considerations
Doctors may prescribe certain medications for shorter time periods to individuals with a history of drug abuse or addiction, explains the National Institute of Mental Health. This forces the patient to see the doctor face-to-face to obtain another prescription for the medication, which allows the doctor to closely monitor the patient for signs of physical dependency or drug abuse. Individuals who are worried about the potential for abuse or addiction should talk to their doctor about their concerns and ask if prescribing the medication for a shorter period of time may be beneficial.
Misconceptions
Some people may experience withdrawal symptoms if they stop a prescription medication too suddenly, especially antidepressant medications. This does not necessarily indicate a dependency or addiction to the medication. Although some may need to gradually reduce their medication dosage instead of abruptly discontinuing the medication, people should not take the medication longer than necessary on their own just to avoid these withdrawal effects.
Solution
People taking prescription medications should follow their doctor's recommendations and instructions for taking the medications. Those who have not been prescribed a medication should simply not use it at all. Parents should carefully monitor their children for warning signs of prescription drug abuse and seek professional help for their children when necessary. Pharmacists should carefully watch for signs one of their patients may be "doctor shopping" or falsifying prescription information. Doctors and other mental health professionals can also do their part in solving the problem of prescription drug abuse by monitoring their patients closely, especially those who take medications that have a high potential for abuse.
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