Teens Abusing Prescription Drugs : A Terrifying Epidemic
Written by Cristo Rogers, Posted on
When most folks think about drug abuse, illicit drugs such as, methamphetamines, heroin, marijuana, and cocaine are probably the first things that come to their mind. However, most folks would be surprised to know that prescription drug abuse is by far the most prevalent and dangerous type of drug usage among teenagers. What's worse - the CDC estimates that roughly two-thirds of teens abuse prescription medications that they find in their family's medicine cabinets at home while others admit having been freely given prescription drugs by friends or family members.
Teens Abusing Prescription Drugs Believe It's Safer
A staggering statistic shows that about 50 % of teens who abuse prescription medications feel that it's safer to abuse prescribed drugs than taking illicit street drugs. An even more alarming statistic - About 2,500 teens abuse prescription drugs for the first time every day. These figures appear to confirm parents' worst nightmare: crippling prescription addiction among teens is reaching epidemic proportions.
Most Abused Prescription Drugs Among Teens
1. Opiates - Opiates are painkillers that when abused, give the user affects similar to that of heroin. Like heroin, opiates are extremely dangerous and can easily result in a fatal overdose for those who abuse it. It is also worth noting that many opiate abusers eventually turn to heroin to suffice their opioid cravings.
2. Depressants - Depressants such as, Xanax, Valium, Klonopin, etc. are for treating those who suffer from anxiety disorders. However, depressants are also a popular 'recreational' drug among teens. Abusing depressants is highly dangerous and can easily result in an overdose to its user, especially when mixed with alcohol.
3. Stimulants - Stimulants, like Adderall and Ritalin, were created to treat ADHD. They are also the most abused prescription drugs among young people. Stimulants are perhaps the most addictive prescriptions abused by teens and young adults alike.
Prescription Drug Abuse Leads to Teenage Deaths
About 76% of prescription-related deaths among teens is attributed to opioid, or painkiller abuse, while the rest of prescription-related teen deaths stem from abusing depressants. Tragically, the number of total teenage deaths from prescription abuse has doubled since 2001 - 765 to 1,950.
What Parents Can Do to Fight This Epidemic
While the terrifying statistics reflect that our nation's youth are suffering from prescription addiction in massive numbers, there are steps parents can take to ensure their child isn't among them:
⦠Talk to your teen regularly about the dangers of abusing prescription drugs
⦠Keep your prescription drugs in a safe place, preferrably locked away from teens
⦠Moniter your teen's online usage
⦠Make sure you dispose of any discarded prescription bottles
⦠Educate yourself about the dangers of prescription drug abuse
For further reading ....
The Rx Addiction Drug Crisis Affects Teens!
When parents or adults think about teen drug abuse, they generally look atalcohol, marijuana or other street drugs. Prescription drugs often don’t seem to be even a blip on the radar.
But the data clearly shows the reality of the dangers of prescription drug abuse for teens. In fact, about one-fourth of teens don’t think their parents care as much if they abuse prescription drugs when compared with street drugs.
Via: http://prescription-drug.addictionblog.org/how-much-do-you-know-about-the-rx-addiction-crisis-in-teens/
