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Abuse of Prescription Drugs Rising Among Teens

Today, the abuse of prescription drugs is rising among teens. This situation could be dangerous for you or your loved one, as prescription drug use can lead to overdose and death. Therefore it is important to use prescription drugs exactly the way your doctor prescribes them.

What Has Led to the Misuse of Prescription Drugs

The number one factor in people misusing prescription drugs is the fact that they are over-prescribed. In the late 1900s, pharmacology companies assured medical professionals that prescription drugs were safe. They told them that there was no danger of people becoming addicted. The companies urged medical professionals to prescribe these medications to their patients, and the doctors complied. Unfortunately, the pharmacology companies were wrong. If you use prescription drugs as the doctor prescribes them, they are safe. However, if you increase the dosage, you run the risk of becoming addicted to the medications.

Why is Abuse of Prescription Drugs Rising Among Teens?

Prescription drugs continue to be attractive to teens as they are often more easily acquired. These drugs are being abused by teens as they often deliver the same euphoria as illegal drugs without the cost. Now, studies show that roughly one in five teens are intentionally abusing prescription drugs and about one in 10 report using cough medicine to get high. The Statesman Journal highlights the fact that teens are not just making an error in medication or dose – this use is intentional. The drugs are not only available in home medicine cabinets, they can also be easily purchased on the Internet.

Other Dangers of Misusing Prescription Drugs

Even more alarming is the fact that teens are learning more about the possibilities associated with these drugs through television advertisements. The Internet also provides a wealth of information regarding the use and mixing of these drugs for a “personalized effect”. Unfortunately, since these drugs have medical use, teens often believe that they are less risky than illegal drugs. As the use and abuse of these drugs are life-threatening, the risks must be reduced.

Parents can help to reduce the risks by setting clear expectations, maintaining an inventory of the prescription drugs in the home, monitoring Internet use, and keeping the line of communication open by talking to their kids about the risks of abusing prescription or OTC drugs. The misinformation that surrounds the use and abuse of prescription drugs certainly lends to the growing problem. Whether it is parents not understanding the risk or teens assuming they cannot be hurt, the misinformation can lead to death. Proper education on both sides can go a long way to eliminating the risk for a teen within the home.

Get Treatment Today

If your teen is addicted to prescription drugs, it’s not too late to get treatment. At Promises Behavioral Health, we offer a variety of addiction treatment programs, including:

To learn more about the abuse of prescription drugs rising among teens, call 844.875.5609 today.

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