PRESCRIPTION DRUG ABUSE IN THE US

When people say "drug abuse," most people think of illegal street drugs like cocaine, methamphetamine, and heroin. But these kinds of drugs are only a part of the whole picture. Millions of Americans, some of whom have never bought an illegal street drug in their life, have abused or are currently abusing prescription drugs. PRESCRIPTION DRUG ABUSE

WHAT IS PRESCRIPTION DRUG ABUSE? Taking medication not prescribed to you Taking more than the recommended dosage Using medication for something other than its intended purpose Taking medication in a method other than prescribed (injecting, snorting, etc.) Prescription drug abuse is the use of regulated narcotics in ways other than prescribed by one's doctor. This includes:

PRESCRIPTION DRUG ADDICTION Abusing drugs, even those that have legally been prescribed, often leads to addiction. Prescription drug abuse is the fastest growing type of drug abuse in the US. In 2008 alone, there were 15,000 overdose deaths from prescription drugs, more than the number of deaths caused by cocaine and heroin combined. 1

HEALTH EFFECTS OF Even if someone abusing prescription drugs doesn't overdose, they can still suffer from one or more ill effects on their health. Depending on the type of drugs they are abusing and the frequency of use, prescription drug abusers can suffer from: Hallucinations Irregular heartbeat High blood pressure Hostile/paranoid behavior Impaired motor function Permanent brain and neurological damage And more PRESCRIPTION DRUGS

THE COST OF PRESCRIPTION DRUG ABUSE In addition to overdoses and other health problems, prescription drug abuse costs the US economy and insurance companies billions of dollars every year in fraud, prevention efforts, and enforcement actions. Each individual abuser costs insurers $10,000-15,000 per year. In 2006, the estimated cost of lost productivity from prescription drug abuse was $42 billion. That same year, associated criminal justice costs were $8.2 billion. These expenses result in higher taxes and insurance premiums for every American, even those who don't abuse prescription drugs. 1

TYPES OF PRESCRIPTION DRUGS There are many different types of prescription drugs, which can have different effects on the user. The most common categories are: Painkillers Vicodin, OxyContin, and other opioids Stimulants Adderall, Ritalin, and other ADHD drugs Anti-anxiety drugs Valium, Xanax, etc. Cough syrup/cold remedies These can often be bought over the counter, and include the addictive ingredient dextromethorphan (DXM or DM).

OVERCOMING PRESCRIPTION DRUG ABUSE If you or a loved one is currently abusing prescription drugs, it's not too late to recover. With the help of Yellowstone Recovery or another affordable drug treatment center, you can leave prescription drug abuse behind and learn how to live a life free of chemical dependency.

TREATMENT CENTER OPTIONS When you check into one of Yellowstone Recovery's Orange County treatment centers, our staff will help you through the multi-step process of overcoming prescription drugs: I.Detox (10 Days) – Medically assisted withdrawal from prescription drug use; 24-hour observation and introduction to a 12-step program. II.Primary Care Residential Treatment (30 Days) – A combination of 12-step meetings, group and individual therapy, and separation from friends and family in order to identify the key issues that are affecting their recovery. III.Residential Treatment Extended Care (90 Days) – Patients continue to live in our Orange County facility, but are gradually allowed more freedom to visit with family, look for a part-time job, and re-establish their outside life. IV.Outpatient Treatment – After patients leave our facility, their treatment continues with regular group and individual therapy sessions, as well as continued 12-step meetings. The road to recovery starts with a confidential phone call with one of our advisors. If you or a loved one needs our help, contact us as soon as possible so that we can begin the journey back to health together.

Yellowstone Recovery has treatment facilities placed throughout Costa Mesa and Newport Beach, CA. We treat patients of both genders, regardless of age, and provide them with the care and knowledge they need to overcome addiction. Learn more at: