Prescription Drug Abuse Essay

Prescription Drug Abuse Research Paper
Since the 1960's heroin use disorders has become worse when pertaining to societal issues since
Heroin an opioid drug made from morphine, which is a natural substance this various opium poppy
plant is highly addictive. Heroin may be smoked, snorted, or injected, the reason for this use has
increased across the United States particularly amongst gender, various age groups, and typically all
income levels through legal and illegal purchase of this drug. Several dynamics contribute to the
severity of the recent societal prescription drug abuse which is problematic from a global
perspective. Basically the number of prescriptions written by physicians that's distributed to patients.
Partaking in countless social acceptability of using medications
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Prescription Drug Abuse
Prescription drug abuse is increasing rapidly and especially in the teen community. It's not only in
the teen community but it is estimated 52 million people use prescription drugs for non–medical
reasons in their lifetime (Cite Source: searching for answers.) Medical professionals are now trying
to learn the symptoms/tricks of someone who is trying to get a prescription for a non–medical use.
Not only is this deviant in the medical field but also falls into the deviant behaviors of the person in
the street using or selling a prescription drug.
One thing can be misinterpreted is that if you have a prescription it is not illegal for you to have.
So, if you also have refills that your doctor wrote for you that is just enabling the addiction for
someone that does not need them for a medical reason. The part where it becomes illegal is people
are selling their prescription to other people for their own use. The 3 most common controlled
prescription drugs abused are opiates, sedative–hypnotics, and stimulants. Many teenagers believe
that prescription drugs are safer than street drugs and that they are not addictive (Cite Source:
searching for answers). That is the dangerous thing about prescription drugs is that people don't
think of them as a drug even though it can have the same effects as other drugs. There are some
doctors that are trying to fix the addiction by learning the signs of the addiction and not giving so
many refills without another visit to the

Most people are familiar with prescription medications; almost everyone has taken them at one
point or another during their lifetime. Not all prescription drugs are addicting, but a large number
of them are. Prescription drug abuse is a disease that has become a major problem in the United
States, which affects over six–million Americans. Prescription drug abuse not only affects the
individual, but can additionally have far–reaching consequences that affect family, personal health,
employment, communities and society as a whole. Research has shown that at least 10% of people
prescribed an addictive medication will become dependent on the medicine. Due to prescription
drug abuse, states are beginning to monitor doctors who prescribe certain medications, more
closely, which may scare some physicians away from prescribing helpful medications to people
who truly need them. It is very likely that people given prescription medications do not intend to
become addicted or to abuse the medication. They simply want to ease their medical problems.
There are numerous reasons a person may abuse or become addicted to prescription medications.
Many physicians are over–booked and have busy schedules and don't take enough time with
patients, instead they simply write a prescription and send the person on their way. A second reason
is that most addictive medications work quickly and effectively, especially painkillers. A third reason
is that many people have a subconscious

Essay On Prescription Drug Addiction
Currently, prescription drug addiction is the most serious problem among all the other drug
addictions that exists. Several researches have shown us that, addiction to any drug whether legal or
ill–legal, is a brain disease which can be treated efficiently. But similar kind of treatment is not apt
for all the individuals who suffer from prescription drug addiction. Prescription drug addiction is not
at all different from addiction to some other substances or from alcoholism. However, for medical
reasons, no one is prescribed to take cocaine or alcohol.
Historically, it has been observed, that the most under reported drug abuse problem is the
prescription drug addiction. Two types of commonly ill–treated drugs are benzodiazepines which are
used to reduce anxiety and opioids which are used to manage pains. Long–term use of opiates may
lead to addiction and physical dependence. Abandoning benzodiazepines is generally mild. The
common symptoms are nervousness, insomnia, and restlessness which can be relieved by quitting
the drug slowly. Painkillers may relieve pain for the time being but those suffering from intense pain,
may need narcotics to overcome it. Prescription drug addiction and also the withdrawal from it may
be more harmful than any other substance due to the dangerous nature of these drugs....show more
content...
As a result to get the same effect which was originally obtained by a smaller dose, a larger dose of
the drug is needed. As a result they become a victim of prescription drug addiction. Along with
prescription drug addictions, some addictive behavior like keeping secrets, lying, hiding pills and
obsessively counting them, buying drugs off the street is quite

es and non–prescription drug abuse among minors with the misguided insight that their use is safer
than the illegal drugs. Through an online survey, the researchers collect data on the issue and
correlate with specific variables such as community stigma, apparent risk and the access to the
drugs. The authors discover a positive correlation. This study will aid in gaining an in–depth
understanding of the exact nature of relation between community stigma, apparent risk and the
access to the drugs to drug abuse in the society. It will serve as viable literature in identifying the
various ways and procedures to limit and observe the access of these drugs to adolescents. 2. Goebel,
J. R., Compton, P., Zubkoff, L., Lanto, A., Asch, S. M., Sherbourne,
...show more content...
The recommendations of the article are therefore useful in concluding a study or exploring future
areas of research. 4. Jafari, S. (2014). Prescription medication abuse. BC Medical journal, 56(2),
92–93. Jafari (2014) specifically focuses on the issue of misuse of prescription painkillers. Terming
it as an urgent issue, the author systematically accounts for the total number of fatalities in Ontario,
noting that drug abuse killed more individuals than HIV. Jafari uses data from the Centre for
Disease Control and Prevention in presenting statistics to show the significance of the issue. In
addition, Opioid abuses as well as other emerging addictions specifically in the young population are
also expounded. The author cites the process of obtaining the drugs as a plethora of activities by
unscrupulous individuals in the society. In the conclusion, the author proposes for a dedicated
system to counter prescription drug abuse among individuals; as well as additional mechanisms to
monitor the chief distributors of the drugs. This is therefore a relevant article in our research. 5. Jena,

Prescription Drug Abuse Essay
The increase of prescription drug abuse has never before been at an all time high. More and more
people are getting into the "trend" that is recreationally using Prescription Drugs, and not just any
type of prescription drug. Teens are recreationally using opiates such as Oxycontin, Adderall,
Vicodin, Morphine Etc. And the numbers continue to grow at an alarming rate. It is now safe to say
that Prescription drugs(mostly Opiates) are becoming an even bigger issue than some illegal drugs
such as Cocaine, Methamphetamine and many more.
There are dozens of reasons why people get addicted to drugs(in General) whether it is depression,
you may have pain, you may have been pressured into using by your peers and many more. But why
isn't anyone doing anything about it to at least try and stop the increase of the numbers of growing
addiction? The answer is simple. Money; The Prescription Drug Companies make Billions of
dollars off of citizens and there is no one else that profits...show more content...
Some of these drugs are so volatile that that the drugs are by the gale encyclopedia standards"
Illegal or illicit drugs are chemical substances either banned by law entirely, or banned for use
except under specific circumstances by designated personnel." (drugfree P6) A drug may be illegal
to sell, dispense, possess or use under all circumstances except those specifically allowed by
law""Prescription drugs refer to legally regulated pharmacological drugs that can be obtained only
with a prescription from a licensed

Prescription Drug Abuse Research Paper According to results from the 2010 National Survey on
Drug Use and Health (NSDUH), an estimated 2.4 million Americans used prescription drugs non
medically for the first time within the past year. This statistic averages to approximately 6,600 new
people per day who are taking prescription drugs that were not prescribed to them, or are not needed
to treat a serious condition anymore. More than one–half of the 2.4 million people taking
prescription drugs for the first time are women, ,and about a third were aged 12–17. Prescription
drug abuse is highest among young adults, ages 18–25. According to the NSDUH the most
commonly abused prescription drugs are opiods, CNS depressants, and stimulants....show more
content...
CNS depressant abuse overtime will produce a dependence, requiring the user to seek more of the
drug and often more powerful dosages to achieve the intended effects. Continued use can also lead
to physical dependence and withdrawal when use is abruptly reduced or stopped. All CNS
depressants work by slowing the brain's activity, when an individual stops taking them, there can be a
rebound effect, resulting in seizures or other harmful consequences. Although withdrawal from
benzodiazepines can be problematic, it is rarely life threatening, whereas withdrawal from prolonged
use of barbiturates can have life–threatening complications. Someone who is addicted to barbiturates
will begin to feel acute withdrawal symptoms within 8–16 hours after the last dose. Symptoms can
be present for as long as 15 days and are most severe at the beginning of withdrawal. Barbiturates
withdrawal symptoms can include restlessness, insomnia, weakness, dizziness, nausea, sweating and
anxiety. There may be tremors, seizures, hallucinations and psychosis. Users may become hostile
and violent. Without proper treatment, hyperthermia, circulatory failure, and death can result. Some
of the CNS depressents that are commonly abused are Ativan, Librium, Valium, Xanax,
Phenobarbital, Ambien and Lunesta. Some of the street names for these prescription drugs are
barbs, reds, red birds, phennies, tooies, yellows, and yellow

Essay On Prescription Drug Abuse
Prescription drug abuse is the use of prescribed medications for reasons other than intended by a
doctor or medical professional. Prescription drug abuse involves the misuse of any and all drugs to
alter the physical or mental status of a person. The misuse of prescription drugs is described as
taking excess amounts, more frequently, or for much longer than originally prescribed. Prescription
drugs come in different forms and treat many different illnesses and diseases. Different drugs fall
into different groups and can produce different highs when they are abused. Every drug falls into one
of four groups. One of the four groups is opiods. Opiods are basically painkillers, they attach to tiny
parts of your brain to relieve pain. Common examples of opiods are oxycodone, methadone,
hydrocodone, and codeine. Because demand and use of painkillers is high it's easy to see why
opiods are the most commonly abused class. Sedatives are another class of drugs. Commonly abused
sedatives are phenobarbital, methaqualone, clonazepam, and alprazolam. Sedatives are usually used
to treat symptoms of insomnia, anxiety, and panic disorders. When abused, sedatives offer a more
relaxed, chilled type...show more content...
The "Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America" are helping to combat prescription
drug abuse by spreading awareness and knowledge of these drugs. The National Coalition Against
Prescription Drug Abuse is another organization that's helping the fight. The NCAPD is a group of
individuals that have focused all their attention towards the prevention and awareness of addiction
and misuse of prescribed medications. They have many sponsors and host events to help their
efforts."Narconon" is another organization that hopes to relieve the issue by directly helping users
overcome their addiction. It's a rehabilitation center that offers help to anyone and spreads education
about the dangers of

Prescription Drug Abuse Case Study
Like the general population, the nursing profession is also plagued by the growing problem of
prescription drug abuse. The stressful work environment, the ease of access to prescription drugs
and perhaps a lack of training or education adds fuel to the problem of addiction. According to the
American Nursing Association about 10% of the nursing workforce may be dependent on drugs or
alcohol (Starr, 2015). There are roughly 4,148,730 active nursing professionals in the United States
(Kaiser Family Foundation, 2017). This means that around 414, 873 of nurses suffer from the
aforementioned addiction issues. Since nurses are at the forefront of health care, it follows that any
form of abuse causes a significant problem in the quality patient care delivery. As nursing students
we are well aware of the changes the body undergoes when under the influence of a drug. These
prescription medication can alter or impair...show more content...
They state that the ANA opposes fraudulent or incompetent prescribing activities by health care
providers and the misuse of prescribed drugs by nurses themselves (ANA, 1991). The Virginia
Board of Nursing has a similar stance. Apart from having defined disciplinary proceedings for such
cases they also offer continuing education courses in response to the prescription drug abuse crisis.
The U.S. government is also aware of the growing problem of prescription drug abuse, their target
on the other hand, is the whole U.S population and not only the nursing profession. The Office of
National Drug Control Policy, (n.d.) lists several steps to combat prescription drug abuse which
include expanding prescription drug monitoring programs and providing training for health care
providers to better detect opioid abuse. Similar to health care the government is opting for a
collaborative approach, seeking the help of federal, state, and even international partners to fight this

Persuasive Essay On Prescription Drug Abuse
According to a federal official, the ongoing scourge of prescription–drug addiction is beginning to
reach epidemic proportions, ballooning about 75 percent in the United States within the past five
years ("Prescription–drug Abuse Escalates"). Prescription drugs have become extremely overused
due to the pain killing aspects, along with a sort of "high" when they are being abused. This high has
been something people chase and will do anything to get. A report from the Substance Abuse and
Mental Health Services Administration indicated that there were more American adults using
prescription painkillers than cigarettes, smokeless tobacco, or cigars combined (Ingraham). The over
proliferation of prescription drugs has become a major problem with adults....show more content...
Many housewives have been known to try to reach this high, which causes them to be less tired and
more energetic, by taking their children's ADHD medicine and or faking symptoms to get the
medicine on their own. This is an illegal act, and even though many people think abusing these drugs
just a few times will not harm them, they are extremely addictive and after a while they will become
extremely toxic to the body (Ellison). Karen Tandy, the first female administrator of the Drug
Enforcement Agency said that "When parents and children alike think that it's OK to abuse
prescription medication because it's safer than street drugs –– there's something wrong with the
psyche," (Prescription–Drug Abuse Escalates). Many people are tremendously uneducated about the
harmful effects of prescription drugs, people think about the immediate relief that they get instead of
the long term damaging

With access to prescription drugs, people are able to treat a multitude of diseases and illnesses.
These drugs help deal with pain, inability to sleep, depression, and much more. Every day we are
increasingly living in a world where there is better living through chemicals. However, what most
do not seem to see is the rising tide of pain, illness, and ultimately death being caused by the pills
people take every day. Most keep drugs in a special place in their minds, where they see them as
harmless. Sadly, this is not the case, and in some cases our prescription drugs can be just as
harmful as illegal drugs (King 68). In addition, these drugs are just as addicting as some of the
drugs that most hold to be off–limits, and need to be...show more content...
Opioid drugs are some of the most widespread pain medications that we have in this country;
indeed, the fact is that opioid analgesic prescriptions have increased by over 300% from 1999 to
2010 (Mitch 989). Consequently, the number of deaths from overdose increased from 4000 to
16,600 a year in the same time frame (Mitch 989). This fact becomes even more frightening when
you think about today; the annual number of fatal drug overdoses in the Unites States now
surpasses that of motor vehicle deaths (Alexander 1865). Even worse, overdose deaths caused by
opioids specifically exceed those attributed to both cocaine and heroin combined (Alexander 1865).
While our major access to these drugs is doctors, we cannot simply lay blame on them, as there is
not enough knowledge about these treatments to correctly appropriate drugs, and therefore extra is
given (Hemphill 373). Alexander of the Department of Epidemiology of the Journal of the American
Medical Association, states that "There are serious gaps in the knowledge base regarding opioid use
for other chronic nonmalignant pain" (Alexander 1865–1866), which leads to the unfortunately large
number of leftover drugs. In fact, the main place that people get their drugs are from leftover
prescriptions (Hemphill 373). This leads to a bigger problem for our youth, where 81% of OTC drug
abusers also end up using marijuana and hallucinogens (King 68). Over a million arrests are made
every year for

Parents enable drug abuse without realizing it. When adolescents use cocaine, heroin, marijuana,
LSD, and other illicit drugs, it captures a parent's attention. However, a problem more prevalent
than the use of these illicit drugs, and hits closer to home is nonmedical use of prescription drugs
(NMUPD). NUMPD occurs when a person without a prescription gains access to a prescription drug
and uses it simply for the experience, or for the feeling the drug causes. Therefore the drugs in
question end up being used for nonmedical purposes in a manner in which it was never intended.
Opioids, used to treat pain, are the prescription drugs that youth are most likely to misuse. These are
commonly used because they are available in medicine cabinets...show more content...
There are reports on the increasing abuse of these medications (1). A study conducted to review
the problem of adolescent nonmedical use of prescription drugs found that as many as 20% of
adolescents have abused these drugs in the previous month (2). These numbers trend even higher
when the adolescent smokes and drinks (61%) compared to adolescents who neither drank nor
smoked. A review of the available information on this topic by Dr. Ty S Schepis and his
colleagues on this subject of NMUPD by analyzing several studies revealed that this misuse of
drugs is associated with depressive symptoms, Attention deficit disorders or having access to
attention deficit disorder medications either through friends or siblings. This study also found that
males were more likely to abuse stimulants, whereas another study found that females were more
like to abuse pain killers or opioids (3). Schepis and his colleagues saw an associated between
NMUPD and poor academic performance, cocaine, and marijuana

Persuasive Essay On Prescription Drug Abuse
In the United States of America, there is prescription drug abuse epidemic that continues to be a
growing concern. Prescription drugs cause a large amount of overdoses and result in an abundant
amount of deaths each year. A government study conducted shows this epidemic is scarily on the
rise, "A recent government study found a 400% increase in prescription drug abuse between 1998
and 2008" (Schreiner 531). The excessive use of prescription drug abuse is leading to nonmedical
use of the drugs, and creating addiction. Furthermore society is paying an extreme amount of money
in this battle. With this drug abuse on the rise, legislators must create a law preventing doctors and
pharmacists from over prescribing prescription medications as well a law to require they both
participate in drug monitoring programs to prevent drug abuse. Now is the time that doctors and the
pharmaceutical industry must be held accountable for their role in causing one of America's worst
addictions. The over medication of prescription drugs in the United States must be brought to an end
by legislators creating laws to stop...show more content...
These programs can be successful when applied but without a physician being required to
participate they can be unuseful as it leads to lack of accurate information for public health records.
Doctors and pharmacist should both have a legal obligation to check a drug monitoring database
and participate further in drug monitoring programs. Doctors and pharmacies should also be
investigated for prescribing large quantity of prescription medication resulting in legal action if
perhaps they are found guilty of overprescribing. With legislators onboard to curb the misuse of
prescription medication this problem can finally be

One in three Americans are prescribed opioids from their doctor. Once someone is prescribed a
medication and take it daily, as told to do so by the doctor, it is extremely easy to become
dependent on the pills. Dependency on a drug means that the body physically craves it and may
experience withdrawals when the prescription is stopped. Addiction characterizes as a mental need
for the drug. The behavior changes and abusing the medication will begin. Almost half of all
Americans know someone addicted to the pain pills they are prescribed to. Heather VanderSloot
knows the thoughts an addict has because four years ago she was an addict. Heather was addicted
to painkillers for eight years. She grew up extremely close to her grandfather and after

Teenage Prescription Drug Abuse Essay
Teenage Prescription Drug Abuse
Years ago, the common image of an adolescent drug abuser was a teen trying to escape from
reality on illegal substances like cocaine, heroin, or marijuana. Today, there is a great discrepancy
between that perception and the reality of who is likely to abuse drugs. A teenage drug abuser might
not have to look any further than his or her parent's medicine chest to 'score.' Prescription drug abuse
by teens is on the rise. Also, teens are looking to prescription drugs to fulfill different needs other
than to feel good or escape the pressures of adulthood. Teens may be just as likely to resort to drugs
with 'speedy' side effects, like Ritalin to help them study longer, as they are to use prescription...show
more content...
Steroid abuse by teen athletes and abuse of performance–enhancing supplements like creatine is also
on the rise (Performance–enhancing drugs and your teen athlete, 2008, The Mayo Clinic). Although
some teens may feel jaded and certain that they know 'drugs are bad,' and drugs fry your brain like
the famous fried egg in a pan in the popular television commercial immortalized during the 1980s,
many well–educated teens and young adults do not see the same risks inherent in prescription drugs
or drugs that make them feel better or run faster (The Partnership's fried egg message, 2008,
Partnership for a Drug–Free America). "For a sizable group of people in their 20's and 30's, deciding
on their own what drugs to take – in particular, stimulants, antidepressants and other psychiatric
medications – is becoming the norm. Confident of their abilities and often skeptical of psychiatrists'
expertise, they choose to rely on their own research and each other's experience in treating problems
like depression, fatigue, anxiety or a lack of concentration. A medical degree, in their view, is useful,
but not essential, and certainly not sufficient," reports the New York Times, citing incidents of
young adults

Prescription Medication Abuse Essay
Today prescription medication is taken for reasons or in ways or amounts not intended by a doctor,
or taken by someone other than the person for whom they are prescribed. The estimated deaths from
prescription medications are increasing each year. Narcotics are the most common abuse substance
by Americans, after alcohol and marijuana. By keeping track of prescriptions could cut down the
deaths and prevent the escalation of addiction.
Narcotics are used for several reasons. The surgery drugs are usually used before, during, and after
procedures , but the drugs you may or may not get is based on the type of surgery your having.
Another use for prescription medication is to treat metal illness, such as depression, anxiety and
panic disorder. At...show more content...
Overdose deaths from prescription painkillers have skyrocketed during the past decade. The non
medical use and abuse of prescription drugs is a serious public health problem in this country
(NIDA). Although most people take prescription medications responsibly, an estimated 52
million people (20 percent of those aged 12 and older) have used prescription drugs for non
medical reasons at least once in their lifetimes( NIDA). Young people are strongly represented in
this group (NIDA). Now a days young people are easily influenced. Based on the group of friends
he or she hangs out with, when one person does something they all tend to follow and do the same,
maybe prescription drugs are one of them. When a teenager in Jan Sigerson's office mentioned
"pharm party" in February [2006], Sigerson thought the youth was talking a keg party out on a farm
(Engdahl 213). "Pharm," it turned out, was short for pharmaceuticals, such as powerful painkillers
Vicodin and Oxycontin (213). Sigerson, program director for Journeys, a teen drug treatment
program in Omaha, soon learned that area youths were organizing parties to down fistfuls of
prescription drugs (213). Drug counselors across the USA are beginning to hear about similar
pill–popping parties, which are part of a rapidly developing underground culture that surrounds the
rising abuse of prescription drugs by teens and young adults (213). The results of taking prescription
medication in teens is treatment programs to help stop the abuse or death(NIDA). The United States
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimated that there are 44 deaths each day from
prescription pain medication which is a staggering number exceeding 16,000 persons a year
(Thomas–Bush and White

Essay On Prescription Drug Abuse
The Office of National Drug Control Policy calls prescription drug abuse "the Nation's fastest
growing drug problem." The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has classified
prescription drug abuse as a growing national epidemic. Prescription drug abuse is the Nation's
fastest–growing drug problem. While there has been a marked decrease in the use of some illegal
drugs like cocaine, data from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) show that
nearly one–third of people aged 12 and over used drugs for the first time began by using a
prescription drug non–medically. (1) One of the major concerns of prescription drug abuse is the
rise in misuse among young people. As parents we fear that our children...show more content...
What are some of the contributing factors? Some scientists believe that certain individuals are at
greater risk of drug dependence because of psychological factors, including difficulty controlling
impulses, lack of values in drug use, low self–esteem, peer pressure, and depression. Risk–taking
also increases between childhood and adolescence as a result of changes around the time of puberty
in the brain's socio–emotional system leading to increased reward–seeking, especially in the
presence of peers. (3) Younger people also believe that they will not lose control if they use drugs.
Genetics can also contribute to the increased likelihood that an individual will abuse drugs. Some of
the most commonly abused classes of prescription drugs include opioids (for pain), central nervous
system (CNS) depressants (for anxiety and sleep disorders), and stimulants (for ADHD and
narcolepsy). Hydrocodone–acetaminophen, sold under the brand name Vicodin is a semi–synthetic
opioid similar in effects to morphine and is among the most widely prescribed medications in the
US in any drug category. Hydrocodone products, when abused, can lead to dependence, tolerance,
and addiction. Vicodinв„ў is one of the most frequently prescribed medications

"The scientific method leads us to truths that are less than self–evident, often mind–blowing, and
sometimes hard to swallow." (Achenbach) People might read something that they don't particularly
agree with, in either the newspaper, the internet, or even in magazines, but it possibly is written by
an expert in the field. Then which results that people don't believe the expert since it doesn't go
along with what individuals think. Now for example, the abuse of prescription pills is becoming a
widespread problem in the United States. Folks think that those who are abusing the prescribed
medication are doing it because they want to, not realizing that most of the persons consuming the
painkillers are struggling with discontinuing the use of the...show more content...
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

Prescription Drug Abuse Research Paper
Various types of drugs introduce complications in the world today, but prescription drug abuse
provides one of the largest issues. The use of a medication without a prescription, in a way other
than as prescribed, or for the experience or feelings elicited pertains to the meaning of prescription
drug abuse. According to several national surveys, prescription medications, such as those used to
treat pain, attention deficit disorders, and anxiety, are being abused at a rate second only to
marijuana among illegal drug users. The consequences of this abuse have consistently worsened,
reflected in increased treatment, emergency room visits, and overdose deaths. The classes of
prescription drugs most commonly abused consist of: opioid pain relievers,...show more content...
The two main categories of drug addiction treatment include behavioral and pharmacological.
Behavioral treatments teach people how to function without drugs such as handling cravings,
avoiding drugs and situations that could lead to drug use, and preventing and handling relapses.
Behavioral treatments such as individual counseling, group or family counseling, contingency
management, and cognitive–behavioral therapies can aid patients in improving their personal
relationships and seeing an increase in their ability to function at work and within their community.
In treatment, the drug abuser is taught to break old patterns of thinking and behaving and to learn
new skills for avoiding drug use and criminal behavior. Individuals with severe drug problems and
co–occurring disorders typically need longer treatment and more comprehensive services. Early in
treatment, the drug abuser begins a therapeutic process of change. In later stages, he or she addresses
other problems related to drug abuse and learns how to manage them as

Essay on Prescription Drug Abuse
Prescription drug abuse has become increasingly prevalent among teens in the county. There has
been an increase in the abuse of prescription drugs for a number of reasons. Some individuals who
misuse prescription drugs believe they are safer than other illicit drugs because they are
prescribed by a healthcare professional and dispensed by a pharmacist. The Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention has classified this prescription drug abuse as an epidemic. More and more
teens are becoming addicted to these substances and the epidemic is only growing. Prescription
drug abuse by teens has been rapidly increasing over the last five years. According to nationally
projectable survey by The Partnership at Drugfree.org and MetLife...show more content...
This is not true as many long and short term health issues will arise in an individual who abuses
prescription drugs. The effect a drug has on one's body is based off the type of drug it is. Opioid
painkillers such as OxyCotin and Vicodin, central nervous system depressants such as Valium and
Ativan, and stimulants such as Ritalin and Adderall, all cause different health problems. Opioids can
cause choking, changes in mood, interruptions in menstrual cycle, infertility, decreased cognitive
function and slowed breathing. Stimulants can cause paranoia, loss of appetite, and in high doses, an
increase in body temperature and an abnormal heartbeat. Depressants, can cause memory problems,
lead to seizures and slows normal brain function. Taking any of these drugs can result in addiction.
Even though a doctor prescribes prescription drugs, they will still have major health impacts on a
person abusing them. There is a very high chance that an individual how abuses prescription drugs
will become addicted. Addiction is defined as a persistent compulsive use of a substance known by
the user to be harmful. There are many reasons why a person would become addicted to a
substance. Family history of addiction, traumatic experiences in childhood and mental disorders
such as depression or anxiety can all increase ones vulnerability to becoming an addict. When a
person takes prescription

Prescription Drug Abuse Essay

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Prescription Drug Abuse Essay