THE TRUTH ABOUT PRESCRIPTION DRUG ADDICTION


OTC drug abuse is a national epidemic affecting as early as 12 years of age. According to statistics, 45 people die everyday due to prescription drug overdose, involving opioid painkillers.

A 2016 survey revealed that everyone taking painkiller medications are vulnerable to abusing the drug. When their doctors prescribed them with medications, most of patients are more likely to exceed the recommended dose.

Prescription Drug Abuse:

Today, prescription drug addiction is the leading cause of drug-related deaths more than cocaine and heroin. This scenario explains how big the problem is.

Between 2004 and 2010, the proportion of people undergoing drug recovery program due to prescription abuse increased four times.

In 2014, the US Attorney General addressed that the rising rate of overdose due to prescription drugs is an urgent and growing public health crisis.

Prescription Overdose Deaths:

Since 1999, deaths involving prescription opioids have increased four times. More than 165,000 people have died due to painkiller overdose between 1999 to 2014. In 2014 alone, 14,000 people have overdosed from prescription painkillers.

Various Prescription Drugs:

Opioid painkillers are not the only cause of prescription drug addiction. Other prescription medications that are used for nonmedical purposes, include Methadone, Hydrocodone (such as Vicodin) and Oxycodone (such as OxyContin).

Alarming Statistics:

  • The rate of emergency department visits involving prescription opioid misuse has grown in the past decade. Each day, more than 1,000 people are rushed to the emergency departments due to opioid use, misuse and overdose.
  • It was found that 1 in 4 people prescribed with painkiller medications for noncancer pain is battling with prescription drug addiction.
  • In 2014, nearly 2 million people in the U.S. are addicted to painkillers.

Prescription Drug Abuse among Teenagers:

Marijuana is not the only substance that is commonly abused by the 12th graders. According to the National Institute of Health (NIH) 2013 Monitoring the Future Survey, prescription medications and over-the-counter (OTC) medicines are also abused by young adults.

It was reported that a little over 28 percent of the 12th graders have abused narcotics in the past year. The top 6 most commonly abused prescription medications, includes cold medicines, Vicodin (acetaminophen/hydrocodone) and ADHD stimulant Adderall (amphetamine mixed salts).

Access to Prescription Drugs:

A survey conducted by the 2012 National Survey on Drug Use and Health has found that over half of the participants aged 12 years and older have obtained free prescription drugs such as pain relievers, stimulants, tranquilizers and sedatives from their friends or relatives.

It was also found that roughly 20 percent of the participants battling prescription drug abuse have obtained the drugs from their doctor’s prescription. About 10.9 percent purchased it from their friends or relatives while another 4 percent said that they got the drugs from their friends or relatives without their knowledge.