Abuse Of Prescription Drug Abuse

Millions of people throughout the world are taking drugs on a daily basis. If you were to ask someone why they take prescription drugs, most people would be taking them for the right reason. However, it’s estimated that twenty percent of people in the United States alone have used prescription drugs for non-medical reasons.1 Prescription drug abuse is a serious and growing problem that often goes unnoticed. Abusing these drugs can often lead to addiction and even death. You can develop an addiction to certain drugs that may include: narcotic painkillers, sedatives, tranquilizers, and stimulants.1 Prescription drugs are the most common abused category of drugs, right next to marijuana, cocaine, heroin, and

Many people have developed an addiction due to an injury and which were prescribed painkillers to manage and treat the pain. Prolonged use leads to dependence and once a person is addicted, increasing amounts of drugs are required to prevent feeling of withdrawal. Addiction to painkillers often leads to harder drugs such as heroin due to the black market drug being cheaper. Prescription drugs remain a far deadlier problem and more people abuse prescription medication than cocaine, methamphetamine heroin, MDMA and PCP combined. Drug abuse is ending too many lives too soon and destroying families and communities.

Specific purpose: To inform my audience about the growing problem of prescription drug abuse, some common drugs that cause abuse, and their effects and some common treatments.

Medicine has been around for thousands of years and has diversified and given us many options to treat illness or pain. Some are available as over-the-counter drugs that can be purchased almost anywhere and others require you to get a prescription from your doctor in order to get it. Some of these drugs that require a prescription often help people who deal with chronic pain, those who are at the end of their life, or cancer patients. Unfortunately these drugs, although helpful to those who need them, are being abused by millions of Americans every year. With doctors prescribing ludicrous amounts of prescription drug, sometimes when it is not even necessary, and our lack of knowledge on the subject, prescription drug abuse has become a big

This Research Project will be on the effects of Prescription Drug Abuse, and the affects it can have on the lives of those abusing them. In the report I will go into further details on the difference between what it means to be physically dependent to prescription drugs, and what it means to be addicted to the prescription drugs. Questions will be left to ask as to why there are so many overdoses to prescription drugs, and what ages groups are more likely to abuse them What can we do to stop the easy access there is to most of these drugs? How do most of these prescriptions become so easily abused and What can the adverse side effects be? Out of 52million people 20% of those aged 12 and older have used prescription drugs for non-medical reasons, many would say it is because of them been so easily accessible, but I would argue and say it is because nowadays many of the younger generations are following what they see on t.v such as

People with any kind of illness use medications to help reduce a symptom which ultimately makes life easier for them, but if prescription medications are used out of control it could lead to negative health issues. In reference to The Medicine Abuse Project, a mother shared a story of her deceased son’s battle with prescription medications addiction. When the son was asked why he took these drugs he responded with, “All you think about is feeling that way again – only it is physically and chemically impossible.” (My Son Died From Accidental Prescription Drug Overdose). When young kids do drugs, since the brain is not as developed as adults, it is more likely to create a negative effect like addiction. The son explained that the reason he did stronger drugs was so he could feel the same high he experienced his first time doing this. Since the body gets adjusted to the medications consumed,

Prescription drug abuse has become an epidemic across the United States, destroying and affecting many lives of young Americans. Why do so many people abuse prescription drugs? Many think that prescription drugs are safer and less addictive than “street drugs.” After all, these are drugs that moms, dads, and even kid brothers and sisters use. The dangers are not easily seen, but the future of America’s youth will soon be in severe danger if the problem is not addressed. It will continue to get worse if action is not taken soon. Prescription drugs are only safe for the individuals who actually have prescriptions for them because a doctor has examined these people and prescribed the

You see on characters on TV shows and movies, and even real life, that struggle with addictions. Most of the time when you hear the term “drug addict” you automatically think of street drugs, such as marijuana, cocaine, or LSD. Not too often do you hear a storyline of someone addicted to painkillers, but the reality of that type of abuse if very real. It has been said that an estimated 2.4 million Americans abused prescription painkillers in a year. This addiction has to have a starting point. A patient could go to the doctor because of a toothache. The doctor then may write a prescription for a simple prescription painkiller. That medication may have a side effect of a relaxing feeling, therefore when the patient experienced this they decided they wanted to have that feeling more. Eventually they will

“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.” Prescription Drugs are ranked number two in drugs abused (Volkow 7).

Prescription drug abuse can lead to addiction, over dose or even death. More and more people are dying each day from drug overdoses. The use of the prescription drugs in the wrong manner can result in several different life altering side affects. Between the three main types of prescription drugs used the side affect can range from repertory failure, seizures, brain damage, extreme weight loss or even death. Our bodies were not designed to take these drugs in such a way. The body becomes dependent on the drugs and withdraws cause serious and painful side affects. The brain creates certain chemicals to help us deal with pain whether it’s mental or physical, and the abuse of prescription drug throws everything out of whack. It’s ironic how something that is designed to help us can also destroy us. (Prescription)

Painkillers are a great thing to have when the consumer is in pain, but when people abuse the pain killers this is when an issue is born. Depending on what the prescription is and the dosage could make it more dangerous. According to consumerreports.org, people who build up a tolerance to the painkillers can take higher doses without serious side effects. Also, often times the prescription is over prescribed and there are leftover pills after the consumer does not need to take them anymore. Unfortunately, with the abuse of prescription painkillers can indicate an addiction to heroin. There are many signs pointing to the consumers being at fault, but

An additional myth, “All that matters is easing my pain” (Hitti) which isn’t necessarily true. Yes, helping relieve the pain is the goal, but not the only goal. For those who have the mentality of thinking that the only target of prescription medication is pain alleviation are at a higher risk of addiction because they don’t realize the amount of medication they ingest while trying to avoid the ache. Last, but not least, “I am a strong person. I won’t get addicted.” Fisherman explains, “Addiction isn’t about willpower, and it’s not moral failure, it’s a chronic disease and some people are genetically more vulnerable than others.” (Hitti) As stated earlier if your family has a history of addiction there is a greater possibility of you having a dependence towards controlled substances. With all these myths, along with several more proceeding, physicians should be required to inform the patients of all potential issues, such as addiction, if mistreating prescription

Many people in America have overdosed on prescription drugs just by abusing them. Prescription drugs that are prescribed and sold in the United States has quadrupled the years. As a result of over prescribing leads to more abuse in the medication and/or more overdose deaths in America. But, however certain people may still need the medication to live and have a well functioning body but still abuse their prescription by taking more than instructed too and end up overdosing in the process of abuse. Many people in America don't even have to have the medication to be prescribed to them, some people just sell their prescription to random in their in the need of cash or if the other just wants something to make them feel good or relaxed. After just buying one pill, the buyer will the need to have more than just one pill, so they'll grow and addiction and start taking more than one at a time, which will lead to their

The audience I will be addressing is parents, caregivers and school educators about the dangers of prescription drugs and how we can better educate teenagers and young adults on the dangers of abusing them. There are many ways that we can teach and educate our teenagers and young adults, but it’s important that families, schools and communities are involved. The rate of prescription drug overdose among teenagers and young adults have sky rocketed over the past several years. This has become a growing epidemic and if we don’t step in and do something, this problem will only get worse. No parent or caregiver ever wants to lose a child and it can be especial harder knowing that you could have helped prevent it. Some people

Even though people need their prescriptions, the abuse of them is getting out of control and we need to find a way to regulate it better,because it can destroy a family, cause some to become addicted, or even kill them. Prescription drugs are no joke, they can be worse than illegal drugs like marijuana, cocaine, and even heroin. The only difference is a doctor can prescribe these types of drugs. The problem we run into with prescription drugs is there is not enough being done to keep the person from becoming addicted or them selling to others. In 2007 2.5 million Americans abused just painkillers (Drug free world). That is not even including the other two types. Now it is starting to affect teens, one out of every ten teenagers admit to abusing a prescribed drug(Drug-free world).