More than 3.8 percent of the global population use marijuana i.e. 158.8 million people, relying on the United Nations statistics but do you know over the counter drugs and prescription have lined up next to marijuana among the common abused substances! There are a lot of people participating in the prescription drug abuse without risks taking into account – risks vary with the type of the medicine and its dose.
Prescription Drug Abuse
Involving to the risk of taking prescription medication that isn’t pertain to yours or changing the prescription medication or the dose of the medicine is what termed to be Prescription Drug Abuse. A study revealed nearly 16 million people abuse prescription medication in the U.S, and about 2,500 youth (12 to 17) is abusing pain reliever for the first time where as the year 2006 marked 2.6 million people abused Prescription Drug for the first time.
This Prescription Drug Abuse is more observed in male than female but is exception for people with age 12 to 17 as it notably flaunts the results with more females abusing than males. Nearly 20% high school students admitted abusing medicine without prior doctor consultation. National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse, Columbia University stated who usually abuse prescription drugs have chances of taking alcohol twice, marijuana for five times and illegal street drugs (heroin, cocaine and ecstasy)for twelve to twenty times. Despite Prescription Drug Abuse dominating in the US, it is also spanned to many parts of the world includes Southern Africa, South Asia and Europe.
Medicines work to the condition when used in an appropriate way but abusing is dangerous and addictive.
Some reasons behind adults and teens to abuse prescription drugs
- To feel better
- To relax and get out of the tension
- To spike up performance and concentration
- To experiment with the substance
- To minimize appetite
- To relieve boredom
Common Abused Prescription Drugs
Opioids – Opioids familiar as painkillers treats pain are heading top in the prescription abuse. Oxycodone and hydrocodone contained medicines comes under Opioids which might result to symptoms such as Depression, Confusion, Sweating, Low blood pressure, Constipation and Reduced breath rate.
Sedatives and Anti-anxiety medicines – General sedatives and anti-anxiety medicines includes alprazolam (Xanax), diazepam (Valium) and hypnotics like zolpidem (Ambien) treats sleep disorders, anxiety and its symptoms but leads to risks like Unsteadiness, Dizziness, Drowsiness, Confusion etc.
Stimulants – Stimulants like Amphetamines and Methylphenidate, used to treat certain sleep disorders and ADHD. Insomnia, High blood pressure, Agitation, Irritability, Weight loss and Irregular heart beat are the symptoms drive up with the stimulants abuse.
Risks and Effects
Effects may vary with the medicines usage but some of the usual problems include:
- Psychological problems
- Damage or failure of organs, especially organs like liver and kidney
- Effects mental health; Depression and Paranoia
- Sharing used needles other than disposing may laces the risk of contracting HIV/AIDS, hepatitis and some other diseases that are blood-borne.
- Leads to death in the case of overdose
