Call 888-647-0579 to speak with an alcohol or drug abuse counselor.

Who Answers?

Who Engages in Prescription Drug Abuse?

The epidemic of prescription drug use is a serious one. Most people that abuse prescription drugs are doing so without a doctor’s approval. They are using their medication in other ways other than prescribed by a doctor. Some may also be getting it from someone else. This can lead to drug dependence and addiction.

According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, prescription drug abuse continues to be a significant problem in the United States. In 2010, approximately 2.7 percent of the population were users of psychotherapeutic drugs taken non-medically. Among adolescents, prescription drugs and over the counter medications account for most of the commonly abused illicit drugs by high school seniors.

Engaging in Prescription Drug Abuse

Anyone who uses a prescribed medication in any form other than prescribed use is engaging in abuse of the drug. This can be done by anyone who has been prescribed medication to take at certain times, but takes it more often than necessary. Others who engage in the misuse of prescription drugs can include:

Someone who steals another person’s prescription and uses it without a medical purpose. Most often, these individuals may use the drug for getting high.
A person who takes the drug in other than how it should be taken. This can mean that a person might crush it to smoke it or snort it, and even inject it.
If a person takes a larger dose than directed, then they are misusing their medication. Many prescription drugs can become addictive when misused this way.

Prescription drugs can be effective in treating many painful disorders when used as directed by a doctor. When they are used the wrong way or for the wrong reasons, such as getting high, then it is considered abuse, and it is also illegal.

Can a Person Get Treatment for Prescription Drug Abuse?

Many people of different backgrounds are known to abuse prescription drugs.

If someone has developed a dependence on a medication, then they may need to seek treatment. Prescription abuse is as serious problem and many people are not aware of the risks involved, including how easily a person can get addicted to certain types of drugs. Many think that since they are prescribed medications, that they will not develop dependence to them. But, on the contrary, they can cause harm to a user both physically and psychologically.

If you or a loved one need help with an addiction to prescription medications, then contacting an addiction counselor will be the best decision. You can talk to them about the various treatment options available, and ask them any other questions you may have regarding the consequences of medication misuse.

Can a Person Get In Trouble for Engaging in Prescription Drug Abuse?

Misusing prescription drugs, sharing them with others, and selling the prescription drugs can get you or a loved one in legal trouble. A person can go to jail and be charged with illegal use of prescription drugs. Most of the abused drugs are considered controlled substances. Many of the people that face charges are using them without a prescription. There are federal laws against the use of prescription medications in illegal ways.

The best way to avoid legal issues is to stop misusing prescription medication, and talk to a drug counselor as soon as possible if you or a loved one requires addiction treatment.

More Treatment & Detox Articles

Drink misuse ‘costs each Scot GBP900’

The impact of Scotland’s drink culture on the health service was laid bare yesterday when it emerged that the cost of treating only one person with a moderately severe alcohol-related head injury is more than £34,000. The extraordinary figure was released by NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, Scotland’s biggest health board. The sum covers only….

Medical Uses of Diazepam and Its Abuse by Addicts

Diazepam is a benzodiazepine derivative that is commonly used for its Central Nervous System depressant properties. Diazepam is prescribed to treat anxiety, insomnia, and withdrawal symptoms of alcohol and opiates. Apart from its medicinal use, diazepam is a highly addictive drug that triggers the activity of Gamma-Aminobutyric Acid (GABA). GABA is a neurotransmitter that calms….

Addicted

Addiction is defined as the recurring physical or the psychological dependency of an individual on a chemical substance which can lead to harmful consequences and the people who are under such addiction are popularly known as addicted. The cause of addiction can be many, but the main reason behind a person getting addicted is….

The Need for Integrated Treatment at Dual Diagnosis Treatment Centers

Alcohol and drug addictions can slowly destroy a person’s life from the inside out. People in drug addiction treatment contend with ongoing pressures and challenges brought about by the long-term effects of drug use. When recovering addicts must also contend with a psychological disorder, the recovery process becomes that much more difficult. Within the addiction’s….

What Parents Can Do to Prevent Teenage Alcohol Abuse

Compared to other forms of drug use, teenage alcohol abuse rates have seen a gradual decline over the years, though present-day rates remain quite high. According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse & Alcoholism, as much as 30 percent of teenagers report drinking by the eighth grade with 54 percent reporting at least one….