The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration's (SAMHSA) 2006 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, showed some alarming statistics. There's been a steady increase of youth turning to prescription drugs for pleasure. They feel these drugs provide a high that, from their perspective, is not only legal, it must be safe because doctors prescribe them. Of course the contrary is the truth, taking a prescription drug that is not intended for the person it was prescribed for, is illegal and can be very dangerous.
What Drugs are Abused?
Youth are generally abusing prescription drugs that fall into three categories. These categories are opioids, stimulants and central nervous system depressants.
Opioids are more commonly known as: OxyContin (oxycodone), Demerol (meperidine) and Vicodin (hydrocodone), as well as others. These are medicinally used for treating pain, or relieving coughs or diarrhea. Opioids attach to opioid receptors in the central nervous system which prevents the brain from receiving pain messages.
Stimulants of choice are Ritalin (methylphenidate) and Adderall (amphetamine/dextroamphetamine). These stimulants can be used to treat narcolepsy as well as ADHD. These stimulants increase brain activity therefore resulting in better alertness, energy and increased attention abilities.
Central nervous system (CNS) depressants include: Nembutal (pentobarbital sodium), Valium (diazepam) and Xanax (alprazolam). CNS depressants are used in the treatment of anxiety, tension, panic attacks as well as sleep disorders. These depressants slow down the brain activity by increasing the activities of the GABA neurotransmitter. Feeling drowsy or calm is the result of taking a CNS depressant.
How Do Youth Get These Drugs?
For the second year in a row, this SAMHSA study shows that over half (55.7%) of the youth using prescription medications say they obtained them from a friend or a relative for free. Another 9.3% of youth purchased the drugs from a friend or a relative. About 19.1% of the youth reported getting the drugs from a doctor with 3.9% stating they got their drugs from a dealer or another stranger. Surprisingly, 0.1% claimed to have purchased their drugs on the Internet.
In 2006, 53.6% of the youth got methamphetamine from a friend or relative for free. Another 21.4% bought it from a friend or relative and 21.1% bought it from a drug dealer or a stranger.
Over-the-Counter Drugs
Some people believe that prescription drugs are more powerful than over-the-counter drugs yet it is possible to become addicted to these medications. Dextromethorphan is found in many cough medicines and in small doses is usually safe. High doses of this can cause the senses to be impaired, lead to confusion, stomach pain and numbness.
Addiction to Prescription Drugs
Medications are effective when used properly, but some can be addictive and dangerous when abused. The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) has information about some prescribed medications that when used in ways other than prescribed, have potential to become addictive.
Most people take their medications responsibly. According to NIDA, in 2003, approximately 15 million Americans reported using a prescribed drug for non-medical reasons at least once in a one year period.
If you know of or suspect a youth who may be abusing over-the-counter or prescription medications offer them help. In the United States call SAMHSA at 1-800-662-HELP and in Canada call the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) at 1-800-463-6273.
 |
 |
