Prescription Drug Abuse Research Paper
Teen Prescription Drug Abuse
Chanel Smith
Axia College of University of Phoenix
According to USATODAY.com, in a 2005 survey by the Partnership for a Drug-Free America, “19% of U.S. teenagers – roughly 4.5 million youths – reported having taken prescription painkillers to get high. Prescription drug abuse is on the rise, the reason for this is because it is so accessible.” Because today’s teenagers can obtain prescription drugs easier than they can illicit drugs, more teenagers are experimenting with prescription drugs than ever before. In fact, studies show that prescription drugs are teens’ choice of drug to become high. Most teenagers are abusing and/or trying prescription drugs for non-medical reasons. Pharmaceuticals are more available …show more content…
|Drug |
|2002 |
|2005 |
| |
|[pic] |
| |
|Marijuana |
|36.2% |
|33.6% |
| |
|[pic] |
| |
|Cocaine |
|5.0 |
|5.1 |
| |
|[pic] |
| |
|Ecstasy |
|7.4 |
|3.0 …show more content…
But is very practicable to abuse or even become addicted to OTC (over-the-counter) medication. Found in some OTC cough medicines is Dextromethorphan (DXM). Taking high doses of this can cause difficulty with the senses, mostly hearing and vision, it can result in to confusion, abdominal pain, insensibility, and even being delirious. A person’s health can be in serious risk when using prescription drugs for the wrong reasons. “When prescription drugs such as opioids are taken with other substances like alcohol, cold remedies, and CNS depressants the risk can be very high. CNS depressants have a high risk also. Stopping or reducing them too quick can lead to seizures. Prescription painkillers, some over-the-counter cold, and allergy medications, or alcohol can slow a person’s heartbeat, and breathing when taking CNS depressants with other medications. CNS depressants can even cause death. The abuse of stimulants, like ADHD drugs, may cause heart failure, or even seizures. These risks increase when stimulants are mixed with other medicines or OTC medication like certain cold medicines. Too much of a stimulant medication can lead a person to develop a very high body temperature or cause the heart to beat irregularly. Several high doses may cause an abuser to be aggressive or paranoid. Stimulant abuse might not lead to physical dependence and withdrawal but the
Chanel Smith
Axia College of University of Phoenix
According to USATODAY.com, in a 2005 survey by the Partnership for a Drug-Free America, “19% of U.S. teenagers – roughly 4.5 million youths – reported having taken prescription painkillers to get high. Prescription drug abuse is on the rise, the reason for this is because it is so accessible.” Because today’s teenagers can obtain prescription drugs easier than they can illicit drugs, more teenagers are experimenting with prescription drugs than ever before. In fact, studies show that prescription drugs are teens’ choice of drug to become high. Most teenagers are abusing and/or trying prescription drugs for non-medical reasons. Pharmaceuticals are more available …show more content…
|Drug |
|2002 |
|2005 |
| |
|[pic] |
| |
|Marijuana |
|36.2% |
|33.6% |
| |
|[pic] |
| |
|Cocaine |
|5.0 |
|5.1 |
| |
|[pic] |
| |
|Ecstasy |
|7.4 |
|3.0 …show more content…
But is very practicable to abuse or even become addicted to OTC (over-the-counter) medication. Found in some OTC cough medicines is Dextromethorphan (DXM). Taking high doses of this can cause difficulty with the senses, mostly hearing and vision, it can result in to confusion, abdominal pain, insensibility, and even being delirious. A person’s health can be in serious risk when using prescription drugs for the wrong reasons. “When prescription drugs such as opioids are taken with other substances like alcohol, cold remedies, and CNS depressants the risk can be very high. CNS depressants have a high risk also. Stopping or reducing them too quick can lead to seizures. Prescription painkillers, some over-the-counter cold, and allergy medications, or alcohol can slow a person’s heartbeat, and breathing when taking CNS depressants with other medications. CNS depressants can even cause death. The abuse of stimulants, like ADHD drugs, may cause heart failure, or even seizures. These risks increase when stimulants are mixed with other medicines or OTC medication like certain cold medicines. Too much of a stimulant medication can lead a person to develop a very high body temperature or cause the heart to beat irregularly. Several high doses may cause an abuser to be aggressive or paranoid. Stimulant abuse might not lead to physical dependence and withdrawal but the