What Do You Know About Prescription Medicine Abuse?
Prescription medicines can successfully and safely treat mental and physical
illnesses. But some medicines can be addictive. Many can be abused. Being aware of
these
potential harms can help you prevent them. Learn more about prescription medicine
abuse by
taking this quiz. It's based on information from the National Institute on Drug Abuse
(NIDA).
1. People of any age, income, education level, and gender can abuse prescription medicines.
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Millions of
Americans use prescription medicines for nonmedical reasons. This includes teens and
young adults. Adults ages 18 to 25 are the biggest abusers of prescription opioid
pain
killers. It's important to keep all medicines out of sight and in a secure place.
Don't
keep them in the bathroom medicine cabinet or on the kitchen counter. Older adults
are
at higher risk for misusing prescription medicines because they take more medicines
than
younger people.
2. You could be addicted if you continue to refill a prescription
for a painkiller after the health condition it was prescribed for has been cured.
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Strong
painkillers are prescribed for moderate to severe pain that you have day in and day
out.
Over time, a strong painkiller can lead to a physical dependence. This means that
your
body has become used to the medicine. You will develop symptoms of withdrawal if
you
suddenly stop using it. Physical dependence can develop for certain medicines when
used
over a long period of time even when they are used correctly. If you develop dependence,
you can stop the medicine gradually. This will help prevent withdrawal symptoms. To
safely stop an addictive medicine, use the information from your healthcare provider
or
pharmacist. They will tell you how much of the medicine to take and how to safely
cut
back. You may need to do this over several days or weeks. Addiction refers to a
strong
craving for the medicine or drug. People who are addicted usually can’t quit without
help.
3. Most people who take prescription pain medicines become addicted or physically
dependent on them.
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Most people don’t
become addicted to a medicine while they’re using it for a legitimate purpose and
taking
it as directed. To help prevent problems, never stop or start taking a medicine without
first talking with your healthcare provider. Also never change how you’re taking a
medicine without first talking with your provider. Don’t use another person’s
prescription or take more of a medicine to get faster symptom relief. When your
healthcare provider prescribes a new medicine, let your provider know about all other
medicines you take. This includes herbs, and dietary supplements.
4. Medicines that most commonly lead to overuse and addiction are those that affect
mood or behavior by changing the brain’s chemistry.
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The NIDA says that the most commonly abused prescription medicines fall into these
3 types:
Opioids. These are painkillers such as oxycodone, morphine, and hydrocodone.
Central nervous system depressants. These are used to treat anxiety and sleep disorders.
They include alprazolam, lorazepam, and diazepam.
Stimulants. These are often prescribed for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder.
An example is methylphenidate.
5. Addiction to prescription medicines often builds
gradually.
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But once
addiction occurs, it can be as deadly as addiction to certain street drugs. For
instance, people who abuse oxycodone, sold as OxyContin, may inhale or inject it.
This
greatly boosts their risk for overdose and other health problems.
6. The following behavior may mean that you are abusing a
medicine: hiding the fact you're still taking a medicine after an illness has been
cured.
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Another sign is
trying to get two different healthcare providers to give you prescriptions for the
same
medicine at the same time. Yet another is switching pharmacies to make it harder for
providers to track how much of the medicine you're getting.
7. In addition to taking medicine, people dealing with chronic pain should work with
their healthcare providers to develop other ways to ease their discomfort.
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Millions of
Americans suffer from chronic pain. Their healthcare providers struggle with how to
provide pain relief without the risk for dependence or addiction. Alternatives to
pain
medicine vary in how well they work. They range from relaxation and meditation to
acupuncture and massage. Talk with your provider about how to safely get rid of unused
medicines. You can also check the FDA website on how to correctly dispose of unused
medicines.
8. Many people who abuse prescription medicines also abuse alcohol and illegal drugs.
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The combinations
can be fatal. This is especially true for medicines such as opioids and central nervous
system depressants such as barbiturates and benzodiazepines. Thousands of people die
every year taking a prescription opioid. Many also drink alcohol or take a
benzodiazepine along with the opioid medicine.
9. Most people addicted to prescription medicines can kick the habit on their own.
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Work with your
healthcare provider, a substance-abuse counselor, or a mental health provider. Any
of
these can see you through safely. Treatment may include a combination of detoxification,
counseling, and other medicines. Partners and family members may be involved in
treatment so you have on-going support. Addiction is considered a long-term (chronic)
illness. It needs long-term attention and management just like diabetes or heart
disease. Follow-up is critical. Relapses can occur. You will need support and resources.
For more information on support, call SAMSHA's National Helpline at 800-662-HELP
(800-662-4357)
