Rx Drug Abuse

Today  Issues  Facts and Scope  Let’s Talk Drugs  Moving Forward

What Makes It Abuse? Prescription drug abuse means taking a prescription drug that is not prescribed for you, or taking it for reasons or in dosages other than as prescribed. Abuse of prescription drugs can produce serious health effects, including addiction.

Teens  Perceive prescription drugs to be safe because they are prescribed by their family doctor.  Purposely abuse these drugs to get high. They participate in pharm parties or bowling parties.  Are often unaware that prescription drugs can cause permanent damage to internal organs or that they could die.

Adults  Leave the doctor’s office with a prescription in hand in 7 out of 10 visits.  Share their prescription with a friend or family member.  Often don’t know how to safely use these medications or ignore their doctor’s instructions.  Don’t know how to store or dispose of medicine.

But Is It Really A Problem Or Just Another…

 One in five Idaho high school students say they have taken Rx drugs without consulting a doctor. (Idaho Youth Risk Behavior Survey, 2011)  From 2005 to 2010, Idaho addiction treatment facilities experienced a seven fold increase in the percent of opioid admissions as the primary substance of abuse. (SAMHSA, Idaho Treatment Episode Data Set)  In 2011, more Americans (6.1 Million) reported the nonmedical use of prescription drugs within the preceding month than had used cocaine, heroin, hallucinogens, and inhalants combined. (SAMHSA NSDUH 2011)  Enough prescription painkillers were prescribed in 2010 to medicate every American adult around- the-clock for a month. (Deadly Dose, 2012, CNN)

Where Do People Get Them? SAMHSA. (2008). Results from the 2007 National Survey on Drug Use and Health: National Findings (Office of Applied Studies, NSDUH Series: H-34, DHHS Publication No. SMA ). Rockville, MD. Available at:

Do We Really Need Them? Heck, Yes! Many People Rely On Pain Meds Because of Long-Term Health Problems.

We know, however, that after just a few months of taking the pills, something starts to change in the body. The effectiveness wears off, and patients typically report getting only about 30% pain relief, compared with when they started. Even more concerning, a subgroup of these patients develop a condition known as hyperalgesia, an increased sensitivity to pain. Dr. Sanjay Gupta

Drug Classes  Depressants  Opioids  Stimulants  Over the Counter

Depressants  Barbituates:Amytal, Nembutal, Seconal, Phenobarbital  Benzodiazepines:Ativan, Halcion, Librium, Valium, Xanax  Sleep Meds:Ambien, Sonata, Lunesta Effects: Sedation/drowsiness, reduced anxiety, feelings of well-being, lowered inhibitions, slurred speech, poor concentration, confusion, dizziness, impaired coordination and memory

Opioids  Codeine:Empirin with Codeine, Fiorinal with Codeine, Robitussin A-C, Tylenol with Codeine  Fentanyl & analogs:Actiq, Duragesic, Sublimaze  Other opioids:Oxycodone, Hydrocodone, Oxymorphone, Meperidine, Propoxyphene, Tylox, Oxycontin, Percodan, Percocet, Vicodin, Lortab, Lorcet, Darvon, Darvocet Effects: slowed or arrested breathing, lowered pulse and blood pressure, tolerance, addiction, unconsciousness, coma, death; risk of death increased when combined with alcohol or other CNS depressants

When You Take a Depressant OpioidX

Stimulants  Dextroamphetamine:Dexedrine and Adderall  Methylphenidate: Ritalin and Concerta Effects: increased, rapid or irregular heart and respiratory rates, elevated blood pressure, decreased appetite, loss of coordination, collapse, unhealthy weight loss, perspiration, blurred vision, irritability, argumentativeness, nervousness, increased pulse rate, dilated pupils, long periods without sleeping or eating, dizziness, insomnia, restlessness, anxiety and delusions. Overdose: agitation, increase in body temperature, hallucinations, heart failure, nervousness, convulsions and death.

Over The Counter Dextromethorphan (DXM) Robotripping, Robo, Triple C, Dexing (for Robitussin and Coricidin)  Acute Effects - Feelings of being separate from one’s body and environment; impaired motor function. Euphoria; slurred speech; confusion; dizziness; distorted visual perceptions  Health Risks - Anxiety; tremors; numbness; memory loss; nausea When it is abused regularly, DXM can actually cause some of the symptoms (i.e., insomnia and dysphoria) that it is designed to cure. In addition, high-dose chronic use of DXM can lead to the development of toxic psychosis - a mental condition characterized by a loss of contact with reality along with a confused state - as well as other physiological and behavioral problems.(CESAR Center for Substance Abuse Research)

But We Aren’t Criminals!

Signs of Rx Abuse  Sudden mood changes, including irritability, negative attitude, personality change.  If you feel like they are sleeping a lot more or not sleeping at all, they may be using something to achieve that.  Slurred speech or dilated pupils.  You can’t blame everything on prescription drugs, but if they have recently been or are currently taking a prescription drug, you should consider that they may have become dependent on it.

Signs In Teens  Extreme changes in groups of friends or hangout locations.  Lying or being deceitful, unaccounted time away from home/missed school days, avoiding eye contact.  Losing interest in personal appearance, extracurricular activities or sports.  Poor performance at school.  Borrowing money or having extra cash.  Visiting and even purchasing from pro-drug abuse (illegal) web sites.

So How To Protect Your Teen?  Teens learn by example. When they see mom, dad, a sibling or grandparent taking a pill that wasn’t prescribed to them, you are telling them it’s okay.  Rx abuse is just as dangerous as abusing illegal substances. Be sure they know how you feel about misusing prescriptions.  Provide clear guidelines. If you’re a parent, let teens know you will be disappointed if they abuse Rx medications and watch how you use medicines in front of teens.  Dispense your teen’s meds to them one pill at a time. They don’t need the temptation of a whole bottle and you are giving them an excuse if they have a friend pressuring them to share a prescription.

Track Your Meds  Monitor all medications in the home— prescription and OTC medicines. Count your pills and let everyone know that you count your pills.  Safely store medicines out of children’s reach and sight.  Consider locking them up. (The meds, not the kids.)  Get rid of old or unused medicines at a drop-off location.

Resources  Tell your doctor if you think that you have become dependent on your prescription.  If you have insurance through work, you may be able to access your EAP program for a few sessions with a counselor.  You may be able to access treatment through your insurance company.  Some churches or clergy will help you find counseling or may offer counseling within the church.  There are counselors in most communities that specialize in substance abuse.