Prescription Drug Abuse - Three Classes

Prescription drug abuse has become increasingly prevalent. In fact, more than 20% of the population has taken prescription drugs for non-medical reasons. Past year abuse of prescription pain killers now ranks second—only behind marijuana—as the Nation’s most prevalent illegal drug problem.

There are three classes of prescription drugs that are most commonly abused:

1. Opioids (odeine, oxycodone, and morphine)
2. Central nervous system-CNS depressants (barbiturates and benzodiazepines)
3. Stimulants (dextroamphetamine and methylphenidate)

Right now there are as many new abusers of prescription drugs as the number of new users of marijuana. Much of this abuse appears to be fueled by the relative ease of access to prescription drugs. Approximately 60 percent of people who abuse prescription pain killers indicate that they got their prescription drugs from a friend or relative for free.

While prescription drug abuse affects individuals of all ages a number of national studies and published reports indicate that the intentional abuse of prescription drugs, such as pain relievers, tranquilizers, stimulants and sedatives, to get high is a growing concern particularly among teens. In fact one-third of all new abusers of prescription drugs in 2005 were 12-17-year-olds as according to the National Survey on Drug Use and Health.

“I had a minor operation when I was a teenager and was prescribed Vicodin for the pain. Very soon after I started taking them I became physically addicted. By the time I finished high school I thought I had to take the drugs every day to feel normal. Eventually I moved onto harder prescriptions like Oxy Contin and within a few months my Oxy Contin habit cost me $100.00 per day. When you first start taking prescriptions you think it’s ok because someone has prescribed them to you. I had no idea what I was getting myself into.”

If you or someone you now is struggling with prescription drug abuse problems call Narconon Arrowhead Drug Rehab at 800-468-6933.

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