What Is Prescription Drug Abuse?

Prescription drug abuse involves taking drugs prescribed by a medical professional in a manner that the professional did not direct. It is a growing problem across the country and is causing many people to become addicted to prescription medication.

Facts

According to the Office of Drug Control Policy about two and a half percent of Americans over the age of 12 have abused prescription drugs.

Identifying

People who are abusing prescription drugs often have intense variation in their emotional state. Suspicions of a prescription drug abuser should arise if the individual is consistently misplacing prescription drugs or asking for prescriptions from different medical professionals.

Effects

The primary effect is the user will become unable to function without the medication. Depending on the drug, this addiction can lead to physical and emotional damage and possibly death.

Misconceptions

The thinking that prescription drugs are not harmful because a physician prescribed them is faulty. The use of any medication for reasons other than the original purpose at amounts other than the intended dosage can cause harm to the body, even if doctor-prescribed.

Prevention

The best way to prevent abuse of prescription drugs is to take them only as prescribed by a physician. Keeping prescription drugs out of the reach of children and teenagers can help prevent prescription drug abuse.

References

• Mayo Clinic - Prescription Drug Abuse
• Office of Drug Control Policy

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Photo Credit

Image by Flickr.com, courtesy of Lee Nachtigal