Teen Prescription Drug Use
According to the Drug Enforcement Administration there are 2,500 teens per day getting high on prescription drugs for the first time. The majorities of these teens are under the age of 15 and believe that prescriptions are not addictive.
The other problem with teen prescription drug use is the ability of teens to get these drugs from friends or family members. Over 63% believe it is easy to get them from a family member, or friends’ home or medicine cabinet.
Myths & Facts About Prescriptions
There are many false ideas about prescriptions and why it may be okay to use them which leads many teens into trying the drugs without considering the consequences.
- Prescriptions are safe because they are legally prescribed to people. This is a myth as many become addicted to prescription after taking them legally for a physical problem. There have also been reports of doctor’s giving out illegal prescriptions as well as patients losing their lives because of misjudgment on part of the doctor and the drugs he puts the person on.
- I can quit using prescriptions anytime. Most will start out with this attitude about most drugs. However with prescriptions a person will develop a tolerance having to take more of the pill for that same effect. The other thing that happens is that withdrawal symptoms develop causing a person to get physically sick when they try to stop using. This is the worst trap of all when it comes to teen prescription drug use.
- Prescriptions are not addictive. The most recent statics report that 1 in 7 teens are abusing prescriptions. In addition, the drug treatment admissions for prescriptions are continuing to climb with more and more teens needing professional help to stop taking prescriptions.
Some important facts about prescriptions are that besides antibiotics, most prescriptions are addictive. This includes anti-depressant drugs, opiate-derived drugs like Oxy Contin and Vicoden and benzodiazepines such as Xanax, Valium or sleeping pills like Soma.
They also carry with them dangerous side effects and health risks for any user.
Examples of How Teen Prescription Use Starts
When a teen starts using prescriptions it is usually to handle some type of a problem. Teens go through many growing pains from the ages of 12 to 18 and without the skills necessary to solve problem can easily turn to drugs or alcohol as a solution. Below are some key examples of general problems that can lead to addiction:
- Trouble fitting it.
- Peer pressure.
- Weight problems.
- Bullying and not knowing how to deal with this.
- A first heartbreak.
- A divorce in the family or other major conflict that can cause stress to the teen.
- A major loss like the death of a family member or loved one.
- Boredom
- Influence from media; seeing role models abusing alcohol, drugs or prescriptions and thinking that this is desirable.
For any of the above prescriptions can be used as a solution. Once this happens, the teen starts going down the road that leads to addiction. Once one is on this path it is difficult to get off of it without professional help.
How To Prevent Teens From Using Prescription Drugs
There are many ways to stop a teen from abusing prescriptions or using them in the first place. The first thing to do is to educate them on the different types of prescriptions, their side effects and potential for abuse. It may help them to be able to speak to someone who struggled with an addiction to prescriptions that is now clean and sober so they can see first-hand the damage these drugs can do. Drug education through Narconon schools is also beneficial.
It is also important to be aware of any problems your teen is having and help with real solutions that don’t involve using drugs or alcohol. Open communication is key.
Lastly if you think there is a problem, not wait. Prescription addiction can occur very quickly and once a teen is addicted it is hard to stop without help.
For more information call 888-292-4999.
References:
http://www.justice.gov
http://www.dea.gov