Prescription Drug Abuse Essay

ethical drug medicine drug scream has had a crocked hold on Ameri sight society for decades and it does non appear to be diminishing. While approximately drugs wealthy person decreased in popularity over the gigantic time differentwises hold in replace magnitude. For instance, in that respect has been a surge in the popularity of Ecstasy and other Club drugs and an increase in marijuana theatrical role over the chivalric few years. While society has taken steps in the skilful direction by supporting treatment programs for addicts and drug jest at stripe programs much more than must be d angiotensin converting enzyme to lower the actual trend of substance profane in our culture. For now, we will be contestation upon the ab do of prescription euphony drugs.What Are Prescription medicines?Prescription drugs argon medical specialtys regulate by the U.S. government. These medications ar helpful in treating a variety of health sort outs and be only available when prescribed by a physician or other healthc be professional. The government restricts these medications beca aim they may be nocent if they are not taken properly or if they are unite with other medications (Firshein, 2005).Doctors and other healthcare professionals are juicy uply trained and experience at selecting the best medication to use for a certain condition. The face of medication and the dosage prescribed is carefully determined. Its very principal(prenominal) that the cooks directions are followed hardly to help treat the condition for which it was prescribed and to reap sure the medication doesnt cause friendless effects (Kalb, 2001).Two recent events of deaths occurred due drug do by. Tabloid mastermind Anna Nicole Smiths son Daniel died of a drug overbattery-acid, an inquest jury in the Bahamas ruled on March 31st 2008 (Reuters). Australian actor heath Ledgers death was an accident ca employ by the abuse of prescription medications, the New York Cit y medical examiners office refund tongue to on February 6th 2008 (Reuters).Taking prescription drugs in a panache that hasnt been recommended by a doctor cigaret be more dangerous than mass think. In fact, its drug abuse. Moreover, its upright as illegal as taking pass drugs. But nigh throng experiment with prescription drugs because they think they will help them fall in more fun, lose weight, fit in, and even study more effectively.Prescription drugs can be easier to raise than street drugs Family members or friends could have a prescription. But prescription drugs are also roughlytimes sold on the street indirect request other illegal drugs. A 2006 National pot on do drugs drop and swell upness showed that among all youths aged 12 to 17, 6% had tried prescription drugs for recreational use.Most forbearings take medicine responsibly, but approximately 9 one thousand thousand Americans used prescription drugs for non-medical purposes in 1999, according to the Nati onal Institute on medicate hatred (NIDA). Non-medical purposes take on misusing prescription drugs for recreation and for psychic effectsto get high, to have fun, to get a lift, or to calm good deal.Experts stress that prescription drug abuse isnt about bad drugs or even bad muckle. It involves a complex web of factors, including the power of addiction, misperceptions about drug abuse, and the difficulty both(prenominal) patients and doctors have discussing the topic.Why? Some people think that prescription drugs are safer and less addictive than street drugs. After all, these are drugs that moms, dads, and even tiddler brothers and sisters use. But prescription drugs are only safe for the individuals who very have prescriptions for them. Thats because a doctor has examined these people and prescribed the right dose of medication for a specific medical condition. The doctor has also told them exactly how they should take the medicine, including things to avoid magic spell t aking the drug such as drinking alcohol, smoking, or taking other medications. They also are awake of potentially dangerous side effects and can admonisher patients well for these.Other people try prescription drugs because they think theyre not doing anything illegal because these drugs are prescribed by doctors. But taking drugs without a prescription or sharing a prescription drug with friends is actually breaking the law. Some people mistakenly think that prescription drugs are more powerful because you need a prescription for them. But its possible to abuse or start out habituated to over-the-counter (OTC) medications, too. For example, dextromethorphan (DXM) is plant in more or less OTC cough medicines. When someone takes the number of teaspoons or tablets that are recommended, everything is fine. But high doses can cause problems with the senses (especially vision and hearing) and can jumper cable to confusion, stomach twinge, numbness, and even hallucinations.A L ook In The bygoneAccording to the 1999 National Household comply on do drugs execration, in 1998, an estimated 1.6 cardinal Americans used prescription bother relievers non-medically for the first time. This represents a probatory increase since the 1980s, when there were generally fewer than 500,000 first-time users per year.From 1990 to 1998, the number of new users of pain relievers change magnitude by 181 share the number of individuals who initiated tranquilizer use increased by 132 pct the number of new sedative users increased by 90 percent and the number of people initiating comment use increased by 165 percent. In total, in 1999, an estimated 4 million people al or so 2 percent of the population aged 12 and one-time(a) were using certain prescription drugs non-medically pain relievers (2.6 million users), sedatives and tranquilizers (1.3 million users), and stimulants (0.9 million users) (oas.samhsa.gov).More RecentlyData from the 2003 National study on dose Us e and Health (NSDUH) indicate that 4.0 percent of youth ages 12 to 17 account non-medical use of prescription medications in the past month. Rates of abuse were highest among the 18-25 age group (6.0 percent). Among the youngest group surveyed, ages 12-13, a high percentage report using psychotherapeutics (1.8 percent) than marijuana (1.0 percent)The National Institute on dose Abuse Monitoring the Future survey of eighth, 10th, and twelfth graders found that the non-medical use of opioids, tranquilizers, sedatives/barbiturates, and amphetamines was unchanged between 2003 and 2004. Specifically, the survey found that 5.0 percent of 12th graders account using OxyContin without a prescription in the past year, and 9.3 percent describe using Vicodin, making Vicodin one of the most commonly abused licit drugs in this population.Past year, non-medical use of tranquilizers (e.g., Valium, Xanax) in 2004 was 2.5 percent for 8th graders, 5.1 percent for 10th graders, and 7.3 percent for 12th graders. Also within the past year, 6.5 percent of 12th graders used sedatives/ barbiturates (e.g., Amytal, Nembutal) non-medically, and 10.0 percent used amphetamines (e.g., methylphenidate, Benzedrine) (oas.samhsa.gov).Which Drugs Are Abused?The most commonly used prescription drugs fall into three classes OpioidsExamples oxycodone (OxyContin), hydrocodone (Vicodin), and meperidine (Demerol) checkup uses Opioids are used to treat pain or relieve coughs or diarrhea.How they work Opioids attach to opioid receptors in the central nervous system (the wizardry and the spinal cord), preventing the hit from receiving pain messages. Central Nervous System (CNS) DepressantsExamples pentobarbital sodium (Nembutal), diazepam (Valium), and alprazolam (Xanax) aesculapian uses CNS depressants are used to treat anxiety, tension, panic attacks, and sleep disorders.How they work CNS depressants black down brain activity by increasing the activity of a neurotransmitter called GABA. The d issolving agent is a drowsy or calming effect. StimulantsExamplesmethylphenidate (Ritalin) and amphetamine/dextroamphetamine (Adderall)Medical uses Stimulants can be used to treat narcolepsy andADHD.How they work Stimulants increase brain activity, resulting in greater alertness, attention, and energy (Vranken, 2007).What Are the Dangers of Abusing musics?Whether theyre using street drugs or medications, drug abusers often have trouble at school, at home, with friends, or with the law. The likelihood that someone will commit a crime, be a victim of a crime,or have an accident is higher when that person is abusing drugs no matter whetherthose drugs aremedications or street drugs. give care all drug abuse, using prescription drugs for the wrong authors has serious risks for a persons health. This risk is higher when prescription drugs like opioids are taken with other substances like alcohol, antihistamines, and CNS depressants.CNS depressants have risks, too. shortly stopping or r educing them too quickly can lead to seizures. Taking CNS depressants with other medications, such as prescription painkillers, some over-the-counter cold and allergy medications, or alcohol can slow a persons heartbeat and breathing and even kill.Abusing stimulants (like some ADHD drugs) may cause heart failure or seizures. These risks are increased when stimulants are mixed with other medicines even OTC ones like certain cold medicines. Taking too much of a stimulant can lead a person to develop a hazardously high remains temperature or an irregular heartbeat.Taking several high doses over a short period of time may make a drug abuser aggressive or paranoid. Although stimulant abuse might not lead to physical dependence and withdrawal, the feelings these drugs give people can cause them to use the drugs more and more often so they become a habit thats hard to break.The dangers of prescription drug abuse can be made even worse if people take drugs in a manner they arent suppos ed to. Ritalin may seem harmless because its prescribed even for short(p) kids with ADHD. But when a person snorts or injects Ritalin, it can be serious. And because there can bemany variations of the same medication, the dose of medication and how unyielding it stays in the organic structure can vary. The person who doesnt have a prescription might not really know which one he or she has.Probably the most common result of prescription drug abuse is addiction. People who abuse medications can become addicted just as easily as if they were taking street drugs. The reason many drugs have to be prescribed by a doctor is because some of them are quite addictive. Thats one of the reasonsmost doctors wont usually renew a prescription unless they see the patient they want to examine the patient to make sure he or she isnt getting addicted. (Vranken, 2007)Extent of Use Data from the National Drug parole Centers 2006 National Drug Threat Survey (NDTS) reveal that 78.8% of state and loca l law enforcement agencies reported either high or moderate availability of illegally diverted pharmaceuticals (National Drug Intelligence Center, 2006).According to the 2006 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH), approximately 49.8 million Americans aged 12 or older reported non-medical use of any psychotherapeutic at some point in their livings, representing 20.3% of the population aged 12 or older.Nearly 7 million Americans aged 12 or older reported current (past month) use of psychotherapeutic drugs for non-medical purposes, representing 2.8% of the population. In this report, psychotherapeutics include any prescription-type pain reliever, tranquilizer, stimulant, or sedative but do not include over-the-counter drugs ( effect Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, 2007)pct of U.S. Household Population 12 and Older Reporting Past Month Non-Medical Use of Psychotherapeutics, 2006, by long time12-17 18-25 26 or older 12 or older Non-medical use of psychother.3. 3%6.4%2.2%2.8%Pain relievers2.74.91.52.1OxyContin0.10.40.10.1Tranquilizers0.52.00.50.7Stimulants0.61.30.30.5Sedatives0.20.20.20.2Additional data from the 2006 NSDUH show that 2.2 million people, aged 12 or older, initiated nonmedical use of prescription pain relievers within the past year. for each one year, the Monitoring the Future (MTF) study asks drug use and related questions of 8th, 10th, and 12th graders nationwide. MTF provides usage estimates for alcohol, tobacco, illegal drugs, and substances that are only legally available by prescription. The study includes data for the non-medical use of amphetamines, stimulants including Ritalin, and sedatives (barbiturates) including methaqualone, tranquilizers, the narcotic pain relievers Vicodin and OxyContin, as well as GHB, Ketamine, and Rohypnol, which is not legal for prescription in the United assures. Survey respondents were asked to exclude from their responses any use of prescription drugs that occurred under medical super vising (National Institute on Drug Abuse and University of Michigan, 2007).MTF data for 2007 show that lifetime prevalence rates for amphetamine use without a doctors orders were 6.5% for 8th graders, 11.1% for 10th graders, and 11.4% for 12th graders.Percent of Students Reporting Lifetime Non-Medical Use of Psychotherapeutics, 2007, by alumnusDrug 8th Grade 10th Grade 12th Grade Amphetamines6.5%11.1%11.4%Sedativesn/an/a9.3methaqualonen/an/a1.0Tranquilizers3.97.49.5Approximately 9.6% of 12th graders surveyed in 2007 reported annual (past year) use of Vicodin without a doctors orders.Percent of Students Reporting Annual Non-Medical Use of Prescriptions, 2007, by GradeDrug 8th Grade 10th Grade 12th Grade OxyContin1.8%3.9%5.2%Vicodin2.77.29.6Amphetamines4.28.07.5Ritalin2.12.83.8Sedativesn/an/a6.2Methaqualonen/an/a0.5Tranquilizers2.45.36.2According to data from the dressing table of Justice Statistics, approximately 21.3% of State prisoners and 16.9% of Federal prisoners surveyed in 2 004 indicated that they abused depressants at some point in their lives. For this report, depressants were defined to include barbiturates, tranquilizers and Quaalude (Bureau of Justice Statistics, 2006)Tips for Taking Prescription MedicationWhat if a doctor prescribed a medication for you and youre upset about becoming addicted? If youre taking the medicine the way your doctor told you to, you can relax Doctors know how much medication to prescribe so that its just enough for you. In the correct amount, the drug will relieve your symptoms without making you addicted.If a doctor prescribes a pain medication, stimulant, or CNS depressant, follow the directions exactly. Here are some other ways to protect yourselfKeep all doctors appointments. Your doctor will want you to visit often so he or she can monitor how well the medication is working for you and adjust the dose or change the medication as needed. Some medications must be stopped or changed after a while so that the person do esnt become addicted.Make a note of the effects the drug has on your body and emotions, especially in the first few days as your body gets used to it. Tell your doctor about these.Keep any study your pharmacist gives you about any drugs or activities you should steer clear of while taking your prescription. Reread it often to remind yourself of what you should avoid. If the information is too long or complicated, ask a parent or your pharmacist to give you the highlights.Dont increase or decrease the dose of your medication without checking with your doctors office first no matter how youre feeling.Finally, never use someone elses prescription, and dont give up a friend to use yours. Not only are you lay your friend at risk, but you could suffer, too Pharmacists wont refill a prescription if a medication has been used up in advance it should be. And if youre found giving medication to someone else, its considered a crime and you could find yourself in court (Vranken, 2007). In conclusion, abusing prescription drugs can affect your relationship with your family. It can create problems at school and with your forthcoming education. You may end up losing some longtime friendships or be forced to give up some of your favorite activities. Moreover, you could get into some serious problems with the law. Listed above are so many reasons not to abuse what can be of good use. As Albus Dumbledore said in check one of Harry Potter, use it well.BibliographyDavid Friedman. Drugs, Violence and Economics. Retrieved on may 2 2008, from http//www.daviddfriedman.com/Academic/drugs_and_violence/Drugs_and_violence.htmlKalb, Claudia. (2001). Playing With Painkillers. Newsweek. 45-47Firshein, Moyers. (2005). Our Current Policy PBS Home. PBS.Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. (2007). Results from the 2006 National Survey on Drug Use and Health National Findings (Office of Applied Studies, NSDUH Series H-32, DHHS emergence No. SMA 07-4293). Rockville , MD. Retrieved on may 2 2008, from http//www.oas.samhsa.gov/nsduh/2k6nsduh/2k6Results.cfmMichele Van Vranken, MD, November 2007. Retrieved on May 2 2008 from The Nemours Foundation. http//www.kidshealth.org/PageManager.jsp?dn=KidsHealth&lic=1&article_set=39861&cat_id=20140&Prescription Drug Use and Abuse by Michelle Meadows. Retrieved on May 2, 2008 from http//www.fda.gov/fdac/features/2001/501_drug.html. U.S. Food and Drug AdministrationNational Drug Intelligence Center, National Drug Threat Assessment 2007, October 2006Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, Results from the 2006 NationalSurvey on Drug Use and Health National Findings, 2007National Institute on Drug Abuse and University of Michigan, 2007 Monitoring the Future Drug Data Tables, December 2007Bureau of Justice Statistics, Drug Use and Dependence, State and Federal Prisoners, 2004, 2004, October 2006