What Do You Know About Prescription Medicine Abuse?
Prescription medicines can successfully and safely treat mental and physical illnesses.
But some medicines can be addictive and many can be abused. Being aware of these potential
harms can help you prevent them. Learn more about prescription medicine abuse by taking
this quiz, based on information from the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA).
1. People of any age, income, education level, and gender can abuse prescription medicines.
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Millions of Americans use prescription medicines for nonmedical reasons. This includes
teens and young adults. Adults ages 18 to 25 are the biggest abusers of prescription
opioid pain killers. It's important to keep all medicines out of sight and in a secure
place. Don't keep them in the bathroom medicine cabinet or on the kitchen counter.
Older adults are at higher risk for misusing prescription medicines because they take
more medicines than younger people.
2. You could be addicted if you continue to refill a prescription for a painkiller
after the health condition it was prescribed for has been cured.
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Strong painkillers are prescribed for moderate to severe pain that is present day
in and day out. Over time, a strong painkiller can lead to a physical dependence.
This means that your body has become used to the presence of the medicine and will
develop symptoms of withdrawal if you suddenly stop using the medicine. Physical dependence
can develop for certain medicines when used over a long period of time even when they
are used appropriately. If you develop dependence, you can stop the medicine gradually,
in order to avoid withdrawal symptoms. Addiction, however, refers to a compulsive
craving for the medicine or drug. People who are addicted usually can’t quit without
help.
3. Most people who take prescription pain medicines become addicted or physically
dependent on them.
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Most people don’t become addicted to a medicine while they’re using it for a legitimate
purpose and taking it as directed. To help prevent problems, never stop or start taking
or a medicine without first talking with your healthcare provider. Also never change
how you’re taking a medicine without first talking with your provider. Don’t use another
person’s prescription or take more of a medicine to get faster symptom relief. When
your healthcare provider prescribes a new medicine, let your provider know about all
other medicines you take. This includes herbs, and dietary supplements.
4. Medicines that most commonly lead to overuse and addiction are those that affect
mood or behavior by changing the brain’s chemistry.
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The NIDA says that the most commonly abused prescription medicines fall into these
3 types:
- Opioids. These are painkillers such as oxycodone, morphine, and hydrocodone.
- Central nervous system depressants. These are used to treat anxiety and sleep disorders.
They include alprazolam, lorazepam, and diazepam.
- Stimulants. These are often prescribed for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder.
An example is methylphenidate.
5. Addiction to prescription medicines usually builds gradually.
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But once addiction occurs, it can be as deadly as addiction to certain street drugs.
For instance, people who abuse oxycodone, sold as OxyContin, may inhale or inject
it, greatly boosting their risk for overdose and other health problems.
6. The following behavior may signal abuse: hiding the fact you're still taking a
medicine after an illness has been cured.
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Another sign is trying to get two different healthcare providers to give you prescriptions
for the same medicine at the same time. Yet another is switching pharmacies to make
it harder for professionals to track how much of the medicine you're getting.
7. In addition to taking medicine, people dealing with chronic pain should work with
their healthcare providers to develop other ways to ease their discomfort.
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Millions of Americans suffer from chronic pain, and their healthcare providers struggle
with how to provide pain relief without the risk for dependence or addiction. Alternatives
to pain medicine vary in how well they work, but range from relaxation and meditation
or acupuncture and massage. Talk with your provider about how to safely get rid of
unused medicines. You can also check the
FDA website on how to correctly dispose of unused medicines.
8. Many people who abuse prescription medicines also abuse alcohol and illegal drugs.
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The combinations can be fatal, particularly with medicines such as opioids and central
nervous system depressants like barbiturates and benzodiazepines. Thousands of people
die every year taking a prescription opioid. Many also drink alcohol or take a benzodiazepine
along with the opioid medicine.
9. Most people addicted to prescription medicines can kick the habit on their own.
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Work with your healthcare provider, a substance-abuse counselor, or a mental health
provider. Any of these can see you through safely. Treatment may include a combination
of detoxification, counseling, and other medicines. Partners and family members may
be involved in treatment so you have on-going support. Addiction is considered a long-term
(chronic) illness. It needs long-term attention and management just like diabetes
or heart disease. Follow-up is critical. Relapses can occur. You will need support
and resources. For more information on support, call SAMSHA's National Helpline at
800-662-HELP (800-662-4357).
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