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The Curious Bag
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Prescription drug abuse is a common occurrence in the United States in 2010. The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) estimates that around 20 percent of Americans have abused prescription medications.
Features
Prescription drug abuse is defined as taking prescription medications for reasons that aren't medical. The term "abuse" includes everything from using medications for recreational use to using a friend's prescription to treat pain.
Most Abused Prescriptions
Opioids (OxyContin, Vicodin), sedatives (Valium, Xanax) and stimulants (Adderall, Ritalin) are among the three main groups of abused medication.
Signs and Symptoms
Physical signs of prescription drug abuse include mood swings, confusion, depression, irregular heartbeat and impaired judgment. Someone who abuses prescription drugs may also switch doctors to obtain new prescriptions, which is sometimes referred to as "doctor shopping."
Treatment
Your doctor may suggest in-patient treatment at a facility to treat a drug addiction. Counseling may also be another option.
Prevention/Solution
To prevent abuse, lock up medications like opioids, sedatives or stimulants. In addition, dispose of any of these unused medications.
Source:
NIDA: Prescription Drug Abuse and Addiction
Mayo Clinic: Prescription Drug Abuse
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