Teens wishing to experiment with drugs at an early age are finding the recreation they seek not in cocaine or ecstasy predominantly, but in the very prescription drugs given to us by our doctors.
What Medications Are Abused And Why
This question is hard to answer in the span of one single paragraph, as there are literally hundreds of different pills currently abused across the globe. However, some of the most popular medications currently contributing to the issue of illicit prescription drug abuse exploding are:
Stimulants
Pills like Adderall, Ritalin, Vyvanse and Dexedrine (among others) are abused by high school and college students seeking the cocaine-like “tunnel vision” high they depend on to get through rigorous school assignments. Referred to as the “cure for the average procrastinator,” stimulants are commonly crushed (or opened up, in the case of capsule-form Adderall) and snorted for an intensified effect. Teens and young adults obtain these from their doctor fairly easily, or from a friend with a prescription.
Painkillers
Powerful opiate drugs such as Vicodin, OxyContin, hydrocodone, Lortab, Percocet, etc., have been on the rise the past decade or so. Also usually crushed and snorted for a more intense high, opiates act as heroin does. For a teen who is tentatively trying his first or second drug, pills offer a less daunting high than the prospect of injecting heroin. As such, opiates have recently been seen as a gateway to street drugs.
Depressants
Central nervous system depressant drugs like Xanax and Valium are prescribed to people with anxiety and insomnia, but abusers of these kinds of drugs take them purely for the entertainment and the “high.”
All of these prescription drugs are as risky and addictive as the street drugs they mimic. Despite the fact that it is illegal to possess pills for which you have no prescription (let alone trade or sell them), illicit prescription drug use exploding in schools and colleges across the nation is one of our gravest public health issues in existence today.
The Reasons Why Illicit Prescription Drug Use Is Exploding
Doctors, parents and teachers all over the world are shocked at the vivacious spread of the prescription drug epidemic. Contributing to this unique and powerful issue is the addictiveness of the various drugs, misconceptions about the “safety” of medications as well as their availability in millions of homes across our nation.
Opiates especially are intensely addictive to the body and the brain. By interrupting the natural cycle of endorphins (natural pain relievers), the body becomes dependent on the drug in order to feel good. Further, a lack of proper education on prescription drugs leads kids to believe they are a “safe alternative” to street drugs, when this is far from the truth.
I’m On a Prescription – Am I at Risk of Addiction?
Narconon of Vista Bay services suggests that as with any medication or supplement, your healthcare provider should have recommended you do some research and decide for yourself if it is necessary for your particular health concern.
Many drugs hold high risks of dependency and addiction. If you are in need of a pain reliever or other prescription, simply talk to your doctor about precautions you can take to ensure physical dependency does not occur.
Take the recommended dosage and do not prolong the use of the medication. If you are having a hard time stopping the use of the prescriptions contact Narconon of Vista Bay services for a free consultation.
If the addiction problem has gotten out of control Narconon of Vista Bay services is also available for long term, drug free rehabilitation with a high success rate. Contact us today for more information.