The Epidemic of Prescription Drug Abuse

Prescription drugs have certainly made our lives easier, allowing people to fend off disease, infection and increase life expectancy. However, alongside these benefits, prescription drug abuse has become a growing epidemic. From prescription drug overdose to recreational use, the epidemic of prescription drug abuse has led millions of Americans down the road of chemical dependency.

The Epidemic of Prescription Drug Abuse

A 2007 survey showed that nearly 2.5 million people across the country have used prescription pain relieving drugs for recreational use. In fact, over their lifetimes, 50 million Americans have abused prescription drugs at one point or another. Within the last month alone, seven million Americans have abused prescription drugs, not only taking them without a prescription—but without a medical reason at all, according to the National Survey on Drug Use and Health.

Prescription Drug Abuse Among Youth

Even teens and tweens have fallen prey to prescription drug abuse, with nearly 10 percent of high school seniors—and 7 percent of 8th graders—using amphetamines without prescriptions. Additionally, in 2008, a survey of high school seniors showed that one in ten have used Vicodin without a prescription within the last year. In fact, among 12 to 13 year olds, prescription medications were the preferred drugs to use recreationally.

Types of Prescription Drug Abuse

The epidemic of prescription drug abuse takes many forms. From “doctor shopping” to obtain multiple and unnecessary prescriptions to the use of illegal street sales, prescription drugs have become easy to obtain and easy to become dependent upon. Painkillers remain one of the most abused prescription drugs, with amphetamines and psychoactive drugs not far behind.

With the advent of internet pharmacies, obtaining prescription drugs has become as easy as filling out an online form. In fact, a 2007 Columbia University study showed that 84 percent of Internet pharmacies did not even require a prescription to obtain medication. Hospital and personal theft also contributes to prescription drug abuse and dependency, with relatives and friends purchasing or stealing medications from family members or medical facilities.

Related posts:

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2. Pain Management and Prescription Drug Tolerance
3. The Prevalence of Physical Abuse in America
4. Common Relapse Rates in Drug Recovery
5. Are Addicts Bad People
6. Why Physical Abuse Can Lead to Dependency
7. Criminal Activity and Drug Addiction
8. Why Vicodin Addiction Is Common
9. Why Physical Abuse Breaks the Spirit
10. Signs of Codeine Addiction
11. Common Reactions to Physical Abuse
12. Depression and Alcohol Dependency
13. Low Self Esteem as a Root Cause for Dependency
14. Why Is Nicotine Addictive
15. Medical Facilities at Inpatient Recovery Programs
16. Pain Management Through Acupuncture
17. The Contagious Nature of Positive Thinking
18. Altered Thinking During the Withdrawal Process
19. Discussing Dependency With Prescribing Physicians
20. How to Tell If You Have a Chemical Dependency