Teen Prescription Drug Addiction
Teen prescription drug addiction poses a unique challenge in terms of prevention and education about the subject. This is because many parents lack of knowledge about prescription drug abuse and its dangers, a belief among teens that prescription drugs are a "safe" way to get high, and easy access to these drugs at home and from friends. Teens are often getting caught raiding their parent's or grandparent's medicine cabinets in order to get high. For the first time, national studies show that today's teens are more likely to have abused a prescription painkiller than any illicit drug.
Some teens experiment with prescription drugs because they think they will help them have more fun, lose weight, fit in, and even study more effectively. Prescription drugs can be easier to get than street drugs, family members or friends may even have them. But prescription drugs are also sometimes sold on the street like other illegal drugs. A 2009 survey from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows that teen prescription drug addiction is on the rise, with 20% of teens saying they have taken a prescription drug without a doctor's prescription.
Teenagers may get involved with prescription drugs in various ways. This experimental stage during adolescent development can be very dangerous because kids often don't see the link between their actions today the consequences of their actions tomorrow. Most teens have a tendency to feel indestructible and immune to the problems that others experience. Some teens will experiment and stop, while others may continue to use occasionally without any significant problem. Then there are those who develop teen prescription drug addiction; these are the ones that need immediate intervention and help learning to make better decisions.
When it comes to teen prescription drug addiction, what drugs are commonly abused? The most commonly used prescription drugs fall into four classes:
- Opioids:
- Examples: oxycodone (OxyContin), hydrocodone (Vicodin), and meperidine (Demerol)
- Medical uses: Opioids are used to treat pain or relieve coughs or diarrhea.
- How they work: Opioids attach to opioid receptors in the central nervous system (the brain and the spinal cord), preventing the brain from receiving pain messages.
- Central Nervous System (CNS) Depressants
- Examples: pentobarbital sodium (Nembutal), diazepam (Valium), and alprazolam (Xanax)
- Medical uses: CNS depressants are used to treat anxiety, tension, panic attacks, and sleep disorders.
- How they work: CNS depressants slow down brain activity by increasing the activity of a neurotransmitter called GABA. The result is a drowsy or calming effect.
- Stimulants
- Examples: methylphenidate (Ritalin) and amphetamine/dextroamphetamine (Adderall)
- Medical uses: Stimulants can be used to treat narcolepsy and ADHD.
- How they work: Stimulants increase brain activity, resulting in greater alertness, attention, and energy.
- Over-the-Counter Drugs
- Some people mistakenly think that prescription drugs are more powerful because you need a prescription for them. But it's possible to abuse or become addicted to over-the-counter (OTC) medications, too.
- For example, dextromethorphan (DXM) is found in some OTC cough medicines. When someone takes the number of teaspoons or tablets that are recommended, everything is fine. But high doses can cause problems with the senses (especially vision and hearing) and can lead to confusion, stomach pain, numbness, and even hallucinations.
It is impossible to predict which teens will experiment and stop and which ones will develop serious teen prescription drug addiction problems. Know what your teen is doing and who they are doing it with. The following are some warning signs of teenagers at risk for developing serious prescription drug dependency:
- A family history of substance or alcohol abuse
- Aggressive and rebellious attitude toward authority figures
- Depression
- Feel like they don't fit in and are not popular with the mainstream
- Frequently feel sluggish and have difficulty sleeping
- Low self-esteem
The most successful type of rehab for teen prescription drug addiction is behavioral treatment. Behavioral treatments teach teens how to function without drugs, how to handle cravings, how to avoid drugs and situations that could lead to drug use, how to prevent relapse, and how to handle relapse should it occur. When delivered effectively, behavioral treatments - such as individual counseling, group or family counseling, contingency management, and cognitive-behavioral therapies - also can help patients improve their personal relationships and ability to function at school and in their community. If your teen is struggling with teen prescription drug addiction, you probably feel ashamed and isolated. Understand that these feelings are part of addiction and most importantly, you are not alone.