Prescription drug abuse Prescription drug abuse is defined as using prescription drugs in a way that is not prescribed by a doctor or using someone else's prescription. People abuse prescription drugs for a variety of reasons (Misuse of Prescription Drugs). Some people abuse them to get high, others keep using to avoid withdrawals from the drug. Whereas stimulants such as adderall are often abused by students to improve academic performance. The main types of drugs that get abused are Opioids, Central Nervous System Depressants and stimulants. Opioids are used often medically used to treat pain. Some examples of these drugs are Morphine, Codeine, Fentanyl and many more. The drugs act on the opioid receptors on the brain. A person becomes more tolerant to the drug the more they use it which leads to misuse to get the same …show more content…
The types are benzodiazepines and barbiturates. Benzodiazepines are the most abused overall though. Benzodiazepines have many medical uses and are often prescribed by doctors to treat panic disorder, OCD, Phobias, PTSD and more anxiety disorders. They are even used to treat insomnia, convulsive disorders and are even used in dentistry. The drug acts on the receptors of GABA neurotransmitters which is what helps relax patients. Some examples of drugs are Xanax, Ativan, Valium and Klonopin. Although most people don't die from abuse of benzodiazepines, if mixed with alcohol can be fatal. One of the most commonly abused substances of this class is a drug called Xanax. Abuse of benzodiazepines can lead to many side effects such as amnesia, disinhibition, emotional blunting and depression. Disinhibition from these drugs can decrease a person's self control and can lead to excessive anger and poor decision making. It is very similar to how alcohol can increase this also. Along with depression increases in suicidal ideation can occur (Longo and Johnson, pp.
Individuals who use Opioids are Addicts. The history of this very debatable topic is very educational and interesting. Opioids are drugs that are prescribed for severe to chronic pain, some examples of opioids are: morphine,?methadone, Buprenorphine,?hydrocodone, and?oxycodone.?Heroin?is also an opioid and is illegal. Opioid drugs sold under brand names include: OxyContin?,?Percocet?, Palladone?(taken off the market 7/2005),Vicodin?, Percodan?, Tylox? and?Demerol? among others. These drugs are also classified as a schedule II drug. Substances in this schedule have a high potential for abuse which may lead to severe psychological or physical dependence. Substances are placed in their respective schedules based on whether they have a currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States, their relative abuse potential, and likelihood
Individuals who use Opioids are Addicts. The history of this very debatable topic is very educational and interesting. Opioids are drugs that are prescribed for severe to chronic pain, some examples of opioids are: morphine,?methadone, Buprenorphine,?hydrocodone, and?oxycodone.?Heroin?is also an opioid and is illegal. Opioid drugs sold under brand names include: OxyContin?,?Percocet?, Palladone?(taken off the market 7/2005),Vicodin?, Percodan?, Tylox? and?Demerol? among others. These drugs are also classified as a schedule II drug. Substances in this schedule have a high potential for abuse which may lead to severe psychological or physical dependence. Substances are placed in their respective schedules based on whether they have a currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States, their relative abuse potential, and likelihood
Commonly abused substances include alcohol, tobacco, stimulant, cannabis and opioids. There are different pharmacotherapies for various types of abused substances. Multiple substance abuses require therapy for each of the drug that is being exploited.
(Herzberg 106.3: 408-10). This has become the norm. People take prescription drugs; lifestyle change is far more difficult than popping a pill. Direct to consumer advertising of prescription medication undermines a physicians authority. They went to medical school and passed rigorous testing to become a physician, prescription drug advertising is an insult to physicians. A physician takes an oath, “To do no harm”. They are compromised with the current advertising conundrum, knowing that if a patient does not get the prescription they want from them, they will simply seek another doctor. Drug seekers exist, and without prescription drug advertising they would still exist. Yet the United States is creating new drug seekers by allowing prescription
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.
Why is it that prescription drug abuse is increasing at a high rate? The answer to this question can be somewhat complex. There are multiple reasons as to why this is happening, but the reasons all come together and create a laddering effect. Prescription drug abuse is currently at an all-time high because prescription drugs are so easy for a person to obtain. The chain reaction starts at the doctor over-prescribing medications then continues to consumers becoming what I would call drug dealers and ending with and addict or in more often than not death.
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.
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).
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.
Drug abuse in America is at an all time high across the country. Most people start out with a legit medical issue that leads to a prescription for pain, anxiety, stress, or even trouble concentrating. After repeated prescriptions, the body tends to get use to the medicine, with then leaves the body craving more. In fact, prescription drug abuse is the highest drugs abused my both men and women. Research shows that young adults ages 18 to 25 are the prime abusers of prescription drugs, ADHD drugs as well as anti-anxiety drugs. There several reason why this age group abuse these types of drugs. The reasons include getting high, to feel good, better study habits, stress, and weight loss.
Although drugs vary in their chemical makeup and pharmacological properties, many drugs are used and abused due to their anxiolytic and euphoric effects, increasing positive emotions and alleviating many
Drug abuse is a problem that has been increasing immensely in the United States. The amount of people using drugs is increasing drastically with people starting or trying illegal substances as a younger age. Drug abuse is the over use of legal and illegal substances. The abuse of drugs is the number one health related problem. Types of drugs commonly abused include alcohol, tobacco, marijuana, painkillers, depressants, cocaine, stimulants, hallucinogens, heroin, and methamphetamine. However, marijuana and cocaine are the most abused drugs in the United States.
Drug “abuse” is a socially constructed idea or concept. Society has determined the level of usage that constitutes abuse. Society has also deemed certain drugs illegal and others legal. When a drug was seen as “abused” it would become a social problem, which led to the drug being made illegal. Marijuana is currently illegal in some states and legal in others. Cocaine, LSD, meth, heroin, and PCP are all drugs that were legal in America at one point. (McCormick, 2011) These drugs were used in order to treat illnesses and as pain killers. These drugs were legal and used in many medical cases. However, they are now considered to be illegal and people who are caught with them face penalties.
Some studies also claim that certain drugs have a greater impact in stirring the aggressive behavior in addicts. People who abuse drugs like crack or cocaine, amphetamines and benzodiazepines tend to behave more aggressively than others. Many instances of violence have come to light where addicts of these drugs were involved. While drugs like cannabis and heroin do not incite addicts to partake in any violence during intoxication, the nature of the person
There are many different types of drugs such as, antidepressants, depressants, hallucinogenic. Most people when asked, oppose strongly to using these drugs