Prescription Drug Abuse
- briancroft0
- Mar 14
- 4 min read
Prescription drug abuse often begins due to a lack of awareness about their highly addictive nature and the failure to use them as directed. This issue frequently arises during a person's teenage or young adult years because many young individuals do not realize that abusing these substances can quickly become as harmful or even worse than using street drugs.
Some of the most addictive medicinal substances with a high potential for abuse include opiate painkillers like hydrocodone, depressants such as Vicodin, and stimulants like Ritalin and Adderall. These drugs can be misused and become addictive even for patients with legitimate prescriptions from a physician.
History of Prescription Drug Abuse & Addiction
Prescription drug addiction has a long history, dating back to when people misused laudanum, a mixture of alcohol and opium. This drug was typically used to treat diarrhea, coughing, anxiety, sleeplessness, and pain. It became addictive when women facing emotional issues, menstrual cramps, pregnancy, and childbirth obtained it from doctors, as they were not permitted to be seen drinking in bars.
Later, morphine was introduced as a painkiller for American Civil War soldiers. Although it was addictive, this was ignored. Heroin was then used to counteract morphine addiction.
At the time, many of these drugs were protected by patent laws, keeping their ingredients secret despite their addictive nature. Since using such drugs was permitted, people disregarded the potency or frequency of use, often exceeding recommended dosages, leading to addiction. Their bodies developed tolerance to these drugs, requiring higher doses to achieve the desired effects.
Statistics of Prescription Drug Addiction
According to a comprehensive survey conducted by health authorities, the largest percentage of deaths resulting from drug overdose in the United States is attributed to the alarming rise in prescription drug addiction. This issue has escalated into a significant public health crisis, with statistics revealing that in the year 2005 alone, there were a staggering 22,400 reported drug overdose deaths across the nation. Of these tragic fatalities, a notable 38.2% were directly linked to the misuse and overdose of opioid painkillers, which include widely prescribed medications such as oxycodone, hydrocodone, and morphine. The addictive nature of these substances has led to a growing epidemic of dependency, highlighting the urgent need for awareness and intervention.
Fentanyl and Opioid Overdose Trends
Further emphasizing the severity of this crisis, a report from the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) indicated that in the year 2007, the abuse of fentanyl—a potent synthetic opioid painkiller—resulted in the deaths of more than a thousand individuals in the United States. Fentanyl is known for its high potency, being significantly stronger than morphine, which raises the risk of overdose, especially when used improperly or in combination with other substances. This alarming trend underscores the critical challenges faced by healthcare providers, policymakers, and communities in addressing the multifaceted issues surrounding prescription drug abuse and the need for effective prevention strategies.
Current Statistics (2023)
In 2021, there were over 100,000 drug overdose deaths in the United States, with opioids involved in approximately 75% of those cases.
Prescription opioids accounted for nearly 15% of all opioid-related overdose deaths.
The number of overdose deaths involving synthetic opioids, primarily fentanyl, has increased dramatically, with a reported 64% increase from 2019 to 2021.
According to the CDC, in 2020, more than 56,000 people died from overdoses involving synthetic opioids.
Implications and Call to Action
Overall, the data reflects a troubling pattern that not only affects individuals but also has profound implications for families and society as a whole. The rise in prescription drug-related deaths calls for a concerted effort to improve prescribing practices, enhance education on the risks of opioid use, and expand access to treatment for those struggling with addiction. As the nation grapples with this ongoing crisis, it becomes increasingly vital to foster a collaborative approach that involves healthcare professionals, law enforcement, and community organizations to combat the devastating impact of prescription drug addiction and overdose.
Medical Risks of Prolonged Prescription Drug Abuse
The set of risks one faces from prolonged abuse of prescription medicines can differ from one drug to another but, across the board, here are some of the risks.
Drug tolerance making one need more and more of a drug to feel its effects and becoming dependent.
Damage to and failure of such organs as liver and kidney.
Psychological cravings and addiction.
Decreased cognitive function.
Mental health symptoms such as depression and paranoia.
Withdrawal symptoms in the absence of the drug. Such symptoms include: nausea, vomiting, insomnia, sweating, shaking, nervousness, depression and uncontrolled leg movement.
Social Risks of Prolonged Prescription Drug Abuse
Accidents can occur when the drugs interfere with your driving due to impaired thinking and judgment.
Poor performance in school whereby the “once mood changer” and “anxiety chaser drugs” become addictive and give you opposite results.
Stealing prescriptions from friends and family whenever one needs to fulfill the craving.
Dropping out of school due to the frustrations that come with drug abuse and poor academic performance.
Poor performance at job and loss of the job.
Putting you in legal troubles. For example being jailed for misusing drugs. The abuse of drugs can also increase the likelihood of committing crimes.
Treatment of Prescription Drug Addiction
Proven studies indicate that addiction to illicit or prescribed drugs can be effectively treated. After assessing the abused drug and the individual's needs, treatment might include detoxification, counseling, and addiction medications, typically provided at drug and alcohol rehabilitation centers. Drug addiction patients can achieve full recovery through behavioral and/or pharmacological treatment. Behavioral treatments focus on stopping drug use and teaching the body to operate without drugs, managing cravings, avoiding situations that may lead to drug use, and dealing with relapse if it happens. These treatments can include individual and family counseling, cognitive therapies, and contingency management for a smoother recovery. Pharmacological treatments aim to counteract the drug's effects on the brain, significantly aiding with withdrawal symptoms.
For optimal results, it is crucial for a patient to receive a combined treatment approach that incorporates both behavioral and pharmacological treatments.
I found your emphasis on the 'lack of awareness' as a starting point for prescription drug abuse particularly insightful. It underscores the critical role cognitive understanding plays in personal health decisions. Many young people don't fully grasp the long-term dangers, and enhancing their ability to critically evaluate risks and information is vital for prevention. For readers looking to understand the mechanics behind decision-making and how individual cognitive aptitudes can influence choices, learning more about cognitive aptitude tests can offer valuable perspective on these underlying processes.