PRESCRIPTION DRUG ABUSE

Submitted by WebMaster on Thu, 01/24/2013 - 22:14

SOURCE CITED: NATIONAL INSTITUTE ON DRUG ABUSE

What is Prescription Drug Abuse:

Prescription drug abuse means taking a prescription drug that is not prescribed for you, or taking it for reasons or in dosages other than as prescribed. Abuse of prescription drugs can produce serious health effects, including addiction.

Commonly Abused Drugs:

Commonly abused classes of prescription drugs include opioids (for pain), central nervous system (CNS) depressants (for anxiety and sleep disorders), and stimulants (for ADHD and narcolepsy).

Opioids include:

Hydrocodone (Vicodin®)
Oxycodone (OxyContin®)
Oxymorphone (Opana®)
Propoxyphene (Darvon®)
Hydromorphone (Dilaudid®)
Meperidine (Demerol®)
Diphenoxylate (Lomotil®)

Central nervous system depressants include:

Pentobarbital sodium (Nembutal®)
Diazepam (Valium®)
Alprazolam (Xanax®)

Stimulants include:

Dextroamphetamine (Dexedrine®)
Methylphenidate (Ritalin® and Concerta®)
Amphetamines (Adderall®)

Street Names

oxy, cotton, blue, 40, 80 (OxyContin®)

Effects

Long-term use of opioids or central nervous system depressants can lead to physical dependence and addiction. Opioids can produce drowsiness, constipation and, depending on amount taken, can depress breathing. Central nervous system depressants slow down brain function; if combined with other medications that cause drowsiness or with alcohol, heart rate and respiration can slow down dangerously. Taken repeatedly or in high doses, stimulants can cause anxiety, paranoia, dangerously high body temperatures, irregular heartbeat, or seizures.

Statistics and Trends

In 2009, 16 million Americans age 12 and older had taken a prescription pain reliever, tranquilizer, stimulant, or sedative for nonmedical purposes at least once in the year prior to being surveyed. Source: National Survey on Drug Use and Health (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration Web Site). The NIDA-funded 2010 Monitoring the Future Study showed that 2.7% of 8th graders, 7.7% of 10th graders, and 8.0% of 12th graders had abused Vicodin and 2.1% of 8th graders, 4.6% of 10th graders, and 5.1% of 12th graders had abused OxyContin for nonmedical purposes at least once in the year prior to being surveyed. Source: Monitoring the Future (University of Michigan Web Site).

Related Publications

	Prescription and Over-the-Counter Medications (DrugFacts) Published June 2009. Revised December 2012. Provides an overview of commonly abused prescription drugs—opioids, central nervous system depressants, and stimulants—and explains how they affect the brain, treatments available, and reported use. En Español
	Prescription Drug Abuse (Topics in Brief) Revised December 2011. Provides a brief overview of the non-medical use of prescription drugs, examining prevalence, health risks associated with use, treatment options, and research underway on the topic.
	Commonly Abused Prescription Drugs Chart Published September 2002. Revised October 2011. Offers a list prescription drugs commonly abused, including depressants, opioids and morphine derivatives, and stimulants, and provides their common and street names, how they are generally administered, and their potential health effects.
	Prescription Drugs: Abuse and Addiction (Research Reports) Published July 2001. Revised October 2011. Examines the non-medical use of prescription drugs-opioids, central nervous system depressants, and stimulants-describing adverse health effects of their use and the prevention and treatment of addiction. En Español
	Stimulant ADHD Medications - Methylphenidate and Amphetamines (DrugFacts) Revised June 2009. Offers basic facts about stimulant ADHD medications—methylphenidate and amphetamines—including their role in the treatment of ADHD, their affect on the brain, and the extent of abuse. En Español
	Prescription Drug Abuse (Mind Over Matter) Published January 2009. Explains how prescription drugs, when used improperly, can cause addiction and other harmful health problems. En Español