Prescription Drug Abuse in Teenagers Essay

Although ethical dose(prenominal) medicate medicine drugs ar not harmful if utilize correctly, prescription drug drug handle is high in teenagers. Most p bents would never think their teenagers be helping themselves to prescription medicine sitting on singles counter. The truth is, prescription drug abuse in teenagers has become very(prenominal) common nowadays. The drugs be easily accessible at home, or cheap to buy at school. They argon highly addictive and hobo up to now cause death. Putting ones prescriptions in a safe place may keep open a childs life. Prescription drug addiction usually starts with experimentation.Teenagers may be trying prescription drugs because their friends be doing it or it may just be out of curiosity. round teenagers will turn to prescription drugs to forget their problems. As the addiction progresses, it becomes harder and harder to stop using the prescription drugs (Smith, 2010). experiment r arely leads to a good outcome. If on es child starts with a simple experiment of prescription drug use, odds are it will ultimately end with addiction. Smith (2010), states Addiction is a Gordian disorder characterized by compulsive drug use.People who are addicted feel an overwhelming, uncontrollable withdraw for drugs (Drug abuse and addiction, para. 1). When one has repeated drug use it will permanently alter the brain. The long-lasting nub on the brain changes ones ability to think, use good judgment, control ones behavior, or feel normal without the drug. It is the drug cravings and compulsions to use that nurse the addiction so powerful. These cravings and compulsions to use are partly cause by the changes the drugs make to ones brain (Smith, 2010).The average prescription drug abuser will start between the ages of 12 and 17. Every day about 2,500 teenagers in this age group abuse a prescription drug for the first time (Havens, 2009). The number of high school students who are abusing prescription pain reliev ers such(prenominal) as oxycodone (OxyCotin), a potent and highly addictive opiate, or sedative is on the rise (Freedman, (2006), para. 3). Stimulants are the most common used, next is opiates, followed by tranquilizers, and then sedatives (Parenting Teens, 2005).The pain relievers such as Vicoden or OxyCotin are used to achieve a high, whereas the sedatives such as Xanax and Valium are used to unloosen or calm. These drugs can lead to dependence and addiction. Stimulants such as Adderall, Ritalin, Dexedrine, or Provigil decrease ones appetite simply increases ones alertness and attention. These are mordacious because they can cause addiction, seizures, or heart attacks. Stimulants are often used to lose weight of for studying. Steroids are used to built ones bodies or promote athletic performance.The dangers involved in consuming steroids are mental and physical health effects as well as undecomposed sexual effects (Havens, 2009). Findings from a 2005 survey conducted by the Na tional Survey on Drug physical exercise and Health indicates that approximately 21% of the U. S. population age 12 and older cover using some(prenominal) reference of prescription drug nonmedically in their lifetime, 16% report us of opiate-type pain killers, 8% report tranquilizer use, 8% report stimulant use, and 2% report sedative use (Ford, 2008, para. 10). The study besides found that substance abuse can cause users to offend the law as well as impair good judgment.However, it has been found that the violations of the law are followed by the abuse of prescription drugs, or another(prenominal)wise flagitious substances. Therefore if ones teenager is addicted to prescription drugs, legal difficulties will likely follow. The researchers believe substance abuse is a definite road to a delinquent lifestyle (Ford, 2008). report prescription drug abuse by high school seniors in 2005 Parenting Teens (2005). gibe to Freedman (2006), an 18-year-old who lives in San Francisco bel ieves as long as the prescription medicine is railn properly, it is much safer than any road steering drug. concord to the findings of the Partnership for a Drug-Free America study, forty percent said prescription were much safer than illegal drugs while 31 percent said that there was nothing wrong with using prescription drugs erst in a while (Prescription-Drug Use by Teens, (2006), para. 1). Teenagers think that because a medication has a prescription for an individual, it makes it safe for everyone. Several factors are involved in prescribing certain medications such as medical conditions, age, other prescriptions on may be taking and the diagnosis of the individual.Most teenagers do not consider these factors when helping themselves to medications prescribed to someone else. Prescription drugs are easy for a teenager to acquire either from their doctors or from their let medicine cabinets. Most parents are not aware of the risks involved in leaving a bottle of prescriptio n medication lying on the counter for everyone to see access. It will start with taking one or two at a time and then the teenager ultimately paying back to steeling the entire bottle, buying the prescription medications at school from classmates or even lying to their doctors to obtain their have prescriptions.The increasing popularity of nonmedical prescription drug use is based on the putative advantages of prescription drugs over street drugs the drugs are easier to obtain, there is less likelihood of arrest, use is more socially accepted, and there is a science the prescription drugs are safer (Ford, (2008), para. 10). Prevention is the best tool concerning teenagers and prescription drug abuse. Havens, (2009), Most teenagers say parents are not discussing the dangers of prescription drugs with them (6 Steps to Prevent Prescription Drug Abuse in Teens, para. ). It is the parents responsibility to monitor closely the prescription medication in the home and purchase a chuck out box if necessary to keep ones teenager safe.One implys to educate ones teenagers in the dangers of prescription medication and the factors that go into prescribing those medications to each individual. Take it as far as asking the family physician to speak with ones teenager if necessary. Sometimes they listen to strangers better than their own parents. Take the time to ensure there are no or out-of-date medications in the home.If these medications are no longer needed, dispose of them properly by flushing those (Havens, 2009). Parents are not always aware of how dangerous their own medication can be to their teenagers. MSNBC (2010). Parents also need to educate themselves in the signs associated with prescription drug abuse. Some of the thing one of necessity to watch for with their teenager behavior is neglecting responsibilities, getting into legal trouble, and even problems with the relationships with ones friends.If ones teenager is starting to fall on school grades, not d o chores at home, or even skipping school a pattern of neglecting responsibilities in beginning to develop. Behavior to watch for in relationships with friends would be losing longtime friends, and sometimes fist contend with them. One may also be fighting more than usual with ones siblings or ones boss at the job. The signs of legal trouble can be anywhere from simple disorderly conduct to any type of major crime. If ones teenager of a sudden becomes involved with the law, something is wrong (Smith, 2010).The most noticeable physical signs of a prescription drug addiction is if ones pupils are bigger or smaller than normal, ones shopping centers are bloodshot, grooming habit deteriorate, unusual odor on breath or clothing, slurred speech, bad coordination, and tremors (Smith, 2010). Psychological warnings one can detect are (Smith, 2010), unexplained change in personality or attitude, sudden mood swings, irritability, or anger outbursts, periods of unusual hyperactivity, agitati on, or giddiness, lack of motivation appears lethargic or spaced out, appears fearful, anxious, or paranoid, with no reason (Drug abuse and addiction, para. 9).Warning signs that tend to show more in teenagers are when one starts being secretive about their friends, one has a new interest in ones clothing styles, and ones teenager is on the spur of the moment in need or more privacy then usual. If one has money, valuables, or prescription medication missing, one may need to consider the possibility of ones teenager developing a prescription drug addiction. Other common signs are depression, withdrawing from the family, using incense to hide the smell, or eye drops to cover the dilated or bloodshot (Smith, 2010).Drug rehabilitation can be a costly, but necessary, adventure. According to ChooseHelp, (2010), the professional staff pastime at any comprehensive and tone of voice rehab facility disallows bargain treatment, and you need to be prepared to spend a significant amount of mon ey to get a quality and effective treatment program (The Cost of Drug Rehab, para. 3). Considering all cost involved in housing, feeding, drug therapies, and professional involvement, prices can range from a few thousand dollars a month all the way up to $30,000 per month (ChooseHelp, 2010).Several insurance companies will absorb most of the financial burden. One needs to contact ones private insurance company and receive all details pertaining to this type of treatment. If one contacts ones local State Drug and alcoholic drink Rehabilitation Council, there are programs available to those that cannot pay nor have any insurance. One needs to take into consideration the seriousness of this addiction. When it involves a prescription drug addiction, one cannot let the cost be a factor in the ending of the treatment.According to ChooseHelp (2010), family programs can help to heal a family harmed by the destruction and heartache of abuse and vex back a healthier dynamic to the family as a whole (Families Need to be a Part of the Process, para. 3). One needs to decide how much family involvement will be in the rehab process. Family involvement is extremely important not only for the family but for the addict as well.When family member are reading about the addiction from trained professionals as well as other families facing the same situation, families are taught what is most beneficial for the teen and it assures the family that they are not esponsible for the addiction (ChooseHelp, 2010). When seeking a prescription drug treatment center for teenager one needs to consider a program involving patient education as well as family education. The program should offer counseling sessions with a therapist or psychologist as well as peer group session involving several families. One needs to choose a facility close to home to achieve adequate family involvement (ChooseHelp, 2010).When the rehabilitation program is successfully accomplished it is also important to continue care in an outside group such as Alcohol Anonymous or Narcotics Anonymous. Information for these meetings can be obtained in ones local ring book. If the teenager in the home has been acting differently and medication is running out sooner than usual, take the steps necessary to help him or her. Admitting he or she may be addicted to prescription drugs is not easy but the help one can receive for him or her may save his or her life.Pay attention to the warning signs, ask questions at the doctor appointments and try not to have addictive medication prescribed to ones child, especially if the child has had a problem in the past with any type of addiction. Be careful where prescription medications are located and consider investment funds in a lock box. It may be a decision that saves ones teenagers life. If one discovers ones teenager has a prescription drug addiction, or any other addiction, do not be afraid to seek help. Money does not need to be an issue in saving ones li fe.Referenceshttp//www.choosehelp.com/drug-rehab/families-need-to-be-a-part-of-the-processhttp//www.choosehelp.com/drug-rehab/the-costs-of-drug-rehabhttp//today.msnbc.msn.com/id/12803776/ns/health-addictions/