 A medication that can be obtained only by means of a physician’s prescription  Prescription drug abuse:  The use of a prescription drug in a way not intended by the prescribing doctor.

 More year olds abuse prescription drugs every day than cocaine, heroin, and meth combined  Over 2,000 teens abuse for their first time every day

 Stimulants  Sedatives/tranquilizers  Pain killers

 A substance which raises psychological or nervous activity in ones body  Also called uppers  Come in tablets or capsules  Consumed by swallowing or snorting  Prescribed for:  ADHD  Narcolepsy  Obesity

 The high:  Increased alertness  Increased energy  The down:  Exhaustion  Depression  Apathy  Paranoia  Anxiety  Long term effects: liver damage, irregular heart beat

 Sedative: a drug taken for its calming or sleep inducing effects  Also called downers, barbiturates  Come in tablets or capsules  Consumed by swallowing or snorting  Prescribed for:  Anxiety  Sleeplessness

 Slowed heart rate  Slowed breathing  Drowsiness  Slurred speech  Wobbly walk  Dilated pupils  Poor coordination  Shaky hands  Death

 Highly addictive  Users develop a tolerance  Requires user to consume more and more  Easy to overdose  Coma  Death

 Pain Killer: a drug or medication for pain relief  Also called opiates  Most common:  Vicodin  Effects:  Slowed breathing  Decreased heart rate  Pupils become very small  twitchy

 When a person tries to kick an addiction to this type of drug, they must consult a medical professional. Cold-turkey withdrawal from sedatives can result in convulsions, delirium and death. A person may require a stay in a medical detoxification program before he or she can go to a drug rehab for recovery. 

 Ask your doctor or pharmacist about your medication, especially if you are unsure about its effects.  Keep your doctor informed about all medications you are taking, including over-the-counter medications.  Read the information your pharmacist provides before starting to take medications.  Take your medication(s) as prescribed.  Keep all prescription medications secured at all times and properly dispose of any unused medications.

1. In a complete sentence please define prescription drug abuse in your own words 2. What are the three main types of prescription drugs that are abused? 3. What are three health risks associated with prescription drug abuse?