Prescription Drug Abuse

What Is Prescription Drug Abuse?
Prescription drug abuse is the use of medication, with or without a prescription, to get high, or for any reason other than the use that the drug was intended for. This is not the same as medication dependency, because it's intentional. Read more about medication dependency.

Taken under a doctor's care, prescription medications are safe and effective. But taking them without a prescription or mixing them with alcohol or other drugs can lead to long-term abuse, addiction or even death.  Distribution of or sharing prescription drugs is considered drug dealing and is illegal.

Three kinds of prescription medications most often abused are:

• Opioids (narcotics), prescribed to treat pain
• Central nervous system (CNS) depressants, used to treat anxiety and sleep disorders
• Stimulants, prescribed for the sleep disorder narcolepsy and to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)

Signs & Symptoms
Narcotic pain relievers containing morphine or codeine are by far the most abused prescription medications. Watch for these symptoms of prescription painkiller or other drug abuse:

• Slow breathing
• Confusion
• Tiredness, falling asleep or passing out
• Dizziness
• Weakness
• Apathy
• Cold, clammy skin

People who intentionally misuse these and other medications, prescribed or not, might:

• Deny taking the drug, even if it's obvious that they do
  
• Minimize estimates of the amount they take or the effect it has on them
  
• Rationalize, such as by saying they need the drug's "lift" to get over a tough spot
• Deflect responsibility from themselves, such as by blaming their doctor for prescribing the drug

Who’s at Risk?
People of all educational backgrounds, income levels and cultural heritages abuse drugs. Teens are especially vulnerable, and so are people with mental illness. Some other risk factors:

• Family history of alcohol or drug problems
• Social environment that's favorable to drug use
• Lack of supervision (teens)
• Depression, anxiety or other mental health condition

Professional Help
Prescription drug abuse and drug addiction -- the compulsive, uncontrollable use of a drug -- can be successfully treated with behavior modification therapy and by attending recovery support groups. New drugs have been approved recently for treating addiction to narcotics. Primary care physicians play an important role in preventing this kind of abuse by screening, assessing, and referring patients who might have substance abuse problems. Priority Health members can check here for information on getting help with drug abuse and addiction problems.

What You Can Do

• If your doctor prescribes painkillers for you, be sure to read all instructions from the pharmacy carefully. Pay attention to any other medications or activities you should avoid. If there's anything you don't understand, ask your pharmacist about it.
• Don't take other peoples' prescriptions and don't share your own. These are specifically prescribed and may be harmful to someone else. Remember, it's illegal to give prescription medication to someone it's not prescribed for.