Non Prescription Drug Abuse

To illustrate the magnitude of the research problem and provide a frame of reference, this section begins with a brief overview of the increased use of pharmaceuticals and prescription drug abuse in the US. The section continues with the relationship between illicit drugs and prescriptions, adolescents’ abuse, personal and social factors; then concludes with the theoretical approach. The Social-Ecological Theory, will be applied in researching prescription drug abuse, possible influences and protective factors in adolescents in relation to prescription drug abuse, to develop focused intervention strategies and educational programs for this population, similar to other substances such as tobacco, alcohol, and marijuana.

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

Today on college campuses, it is not possible to make it through college without knowing someone who has at least tried a prescription drug or recreational drug for either party uses, to help them study and keep up in school, or simply to help them get by day-to-day. Maybe you have tried them yourself? College students all across the nation are abusing substances such as Adderall, Vicodin, Oxycontin, marijuana, cocaine, heroin, etc. Those students who drink alcohol are more likely to use prescription drugs for non-medical uses than non-drinkers.

Summary: This article covers a wide variety of factors that result from the over abundant use of prescription stimulants on campuses around the United States. This includes the consequences of taking said drugs, specifically the medical, mental, and academic effects of stimulants. The author also points out four main reasons behind stimulant use on campuses. The first being the pressure of college life. Many students come into college thinking that it will be simple like high

Prescription drug abuse among college students is a growing trend on most campuses. Students are using these drugs inappropriately to not only “get high”, but to help with concentration when cramming for papers or tests, to self-medicate for anxiety or depression, and even to enhance their stamina when playing sports. Many people have stereotypes of what an alcoholic or addict is, and most people don't associate that image with young students. Although drug education has been mandatory in the US throughout grade school drug use continues to rise in college students. College is known as a time for experimentation, but for some students experimentation can turn

Conclusion: Policies and interventions should be developed on college campuses to address non-medical use and abuse of prescription stimulants among college students.

Prescription drug abuse is not a new problem within our society. Prescription drug abuse has in fact been an ongoing problem that is currently spinning out of control. There are many people within our society that are currently dealing with prescription drug addiction. Prescription drug abuse is the intentional use of a medication without a prescription; in a way other than as prescribed; or for the experience or feeling it causes (The Science of Drug Abuse & Addiction, 2014). Prescription drugs are developed to assist with various medical problems, and when prescribed by a medical professional are helpful for patients. The using prescriptions for those other than intended for may cause a number of serious issues

Nonmedical use of prescription drugs on college campuses is a rising epidemic amongst college campuses. There are three most common types of drugs abused by college students- stimulants, sedatives, and opioids. Recent reports have illustrated that stimulants such as Adderall and Ritalin are widely available on campuses and are the most popular choice in drug. (Arria & Dupont, 2011) Stimulants are used for treating attention deficit hyperactive disorder (ADHD), narcolepsy, and other conditions. Uses of stimulants increased by 93% between the years of 1993 and 2005 (Clinton Foundation, 2014).

Prescription drug abuse among college students have increased over the past few years and is now a national problem. College students are abusing stimulant prescription pills just to stay awake to study and they will abuse the prescription pills just to stay awake to socialize with friends. According to the journal of Human Behavior in the Social Environment, they have come up with a new term called Generation RX, which is known to the rising group of young adults who are abusing prescription medication. In 2008 the National Drug Survey on Drug Use and Health had found an increase of 21.1% in the general population in the use of nonmedical prescription between the years of 1992-2003 and 15% of people ages 18-25 reported the use of prescription pills. Research showed that in the past ten years prescription stimulants has passed the abuse of other drugs on college campuses. The only drug that research says that prescription pills did not pass for being used more commonly was marijuana. College students have reported saying that they use prescription stimulants for both academic and recreational. To be more specific, college students said, "Alcohol, marijuana, prescription barbiturates, and cocaine were used mainly as "have fun" drugs. While ADHD medication was used for "getting good grades". (DeSantis et al., 2008, p. 317).

Substance abuse among young adults is hardly a new thing, but experts believe the progression of prescription drug overdoses, in addition to an increase in binge drinking, is becoming alarming for today’s college-age students. Post-secondary students are abusing several prescription medications, illegal drugs, including Adderall, alcohol, OxyContin, medical marijuana, and even over the counter cold medications. There are hundreds of

Mental health professionals are strongly encouraged to formulate an opinion about whether behaviors other than AOD use can be classified as addiction (Fisher & Harrison, 2103, p.288). When a person develop an addiction regardless of which form an illness and problem exist. The book mentioned that tobacco, alcohol and other drugs are not safe to use (Fisher & Harrison, 2013, p. 13). In every addiction such as, Tabaco, drugs, alcohol, sex and gambling can affect the individual and their families. When there is an age limited ton when an item has to be purchased, I believe that non-substance addiction should be in the category of drug and alcohol addiction. As human beings, an element can attack our bodies and that causes us to develop high

It is commonly known that alcohol is currently the most abused drug on college campuses. Colleges today are trying to limit the amount of alcohol consumed by students as well as the use of drugs here at King’s College. I attended the meeting that discussed drugs and alcohol on college campuses. Here we talked about some of the effects that come with the consumption of these products.

This report comprises data summary and analysis of the students by gender who participated in binge drinking, those who abused prescription medication, and used illegal or illicit

The use of any substances, chemicals, drinks or even foods in a manner that is harmful to an individual’s health is known as substance abuse. Two of the most common abuses of substances in students’ life are alcohol abuses and the abuse of prescribed or non-prescribed drugs. College students having excessive use of alcohol and drugs experience numerous harmful consequences. Their immediate effects being intoxication, loss of memory, unconsciousness, and long term effects being the drop in attendance from class, decrement of GPA and delay of graduation time, bad reputation in society that might cause depression, anxiety and eventually degradation of their own health.

Narcotics are an extremely powerful drug. Narcotics are used to relieve pain. When they are used properly they reduce anxiety, relieve pain, and induce relaxation. If you use and abuse narcotics, then you result in an addiction. Narcotics produce a powerful feeling of euphoria, which is why they are so addictive. “Narcotic” is believed to have been coined by the Greek physician Dalen to refer to agents that numb or deader, that causes loss of feeling or paralysis. Four example of narcotic drugs are heroin, morphine, codeine, and hydrocodone.