Drug Abuse: Facts, Studies, and Resources

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In an era when doctors are writing more prescriptions than ever and the use of potent medications is on the rise, prescription drug abuse has become a growing epidemic, particularly among teens and young adults.

According to recent data released by the U.S. department of Health and Human Services, approximately 20 percent of Americans have intentionally misused prescription medications on at least one occasion. The most commonly abused prescription drugs are opioids such as hydrocodone and oxycodone, which are known to produce sensations of euphoria and can be found in brand-name pain relievers such as Vicodin and Oxycontin. Other common drugs of abuse include anxiety medications such as Valium and Xanax, as well as psychoactive stimulants such as Ritalin and Adderall.

As individuals continue to intentionally misuse these medications in rising numbers, prescription drug abuse has become one of the leading illegal drug problems in the United States, second only to marijuana use.

A government study released in July of 2010 reported the proportion of Americans treated for prescription pain medication abuse increased by 400 percent over a 10-year period. This large increase beat out the increase in patients seeking treatment for both methamphetamine and marijuana and was spread out among every age group, gender, ethnicity and education level.

The study also revealed the ease with which individuals gain access to commonly abused prescription medications. Fifty-six percent of the individuals studied indicated they obtained prescription medications for abusive purposes from a friend or relative, while an additional 9 percent said they bought them from an acquaintance.

A disturbingly high percentage of this prescription drug abuse is occurring among America’s youth. According to a 2008 study funded by the National Institute on Drug Abuse, approximately 2.9 percent of eight graders, 6.7 percent of 10th graders and 9.7 percent of high school seniors had abused Vicodin.

Vicodin, like other opioids, can produce severe respiration problems, heart rate changes and even fatality when used improperly, and these risks increase significantly when the drug is consumed in conjunction with alcohol and other central nervous system depressants.

In addition to youth, health care professionals have targeted a number of other risk factors for prescription drug abuse. Recent research has shown that a history of depression, prior drug abuse and the use of psychiatric medications also significantly increase the risk of prescription drug abuse.

Despite the fact that many believe prescription drug abuse is safer than that of other well-known recreational drugs, the number of serious complications resulting from prescription drug overdose continues to increase. According to the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency, one out of every four drug-related emergency room visits is associated with prescription drug abuse. And in recent years, opioid drug overdoses have resulted in more deaths than those caused by heroin and cocaine combined.

Prescription medications are not the only medicines being abused, however. In a survey conducted by the Partnership for a Drug-Free America, one in 11 teens admitted to using cough medicine to get high. Many over-the-counter cough and cold medications contain a substance known as dextromethorphan, which requires large and potentially dangerous amounts in order to produce the effects sought after by those abusing the drug.

In light of these staggering statistics, a number of health agencies and organizations across the country have launched initiatives to inform the public about the potential dangers associated with prescription medication use.

On September 25, 1010, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency held the first national Prescription Drug Take Back Day, which was an event that called on individuals to drop off expired or unused medications at secure locations in order to prevent the medicines from subjection to future misuse or abuse.

Other organizations have taken an educational approach, seeking to better inform the public about the dangerous of medication abuse. DrugWatch.com is one such initiative, and is committed to delivering continual breaking news on prescription medications, drug recalls and pharmaceutical safety alerts. On DrugWatch.com viewers can browse through hundreds of prescription medications to find information on dangerous drug side effects, hazardous drug interactions and drug overdose. During a time when prescription drug use is greater than ever, DrugWatch.com provides a vital resource to help consumers stay informed, stay healthy and stay safe.

Resources about Drug Abuse

DrugWatch.com
National Institute on Drug Abuse
U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration
Alcohol Abuse: Treatment, Prevention, and Resources
Drug Abuse Resources and Information

Resource by Will

I am the editor for TheFreeResource.com, and owner of LinchpinSEO, a small business content creation company. The Free Resource has a select community of talented writers, teachers, and business people (and we are always looking for more) that bring you the most trusted resources on the web and credible articles about many topics.

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