Prescription Drug Abuse: The New Drug of Choice
Tanya Butler
COM/172 Elements of University Composition and Communication II
March 29, 2012
Betty Taylor-Thompson Ph.D.

Prescription Drug Abuse: The New Drug of Choice
“In 2010, approximately 16 million Americans reported using a prescription drug for nonmedical reasons in the past year; seven million in the past month” (National Drug Intelligence Center, 2002, p. 1). “Nonmedical use of a prescribed medicine is use by someone who does not have a prescription for the medication, or use of the prescribed medicine by someone who does not have a prescription in a manner that is not directed or approved by the prescribing physician” (DuPont, 2006, p. 1). The misuse of prescription medication is an expanding health problem in the United States today. An individual taking her own medication exactly as prescribed is not misuse, but giving one pill to a friend or loved one is prescription abuse. In fact, it is against the law. Most people overlook the fine print at the top (or bottom) of the prescription label that clearly states: “Caution: Federal law prohibits transfer of this drug to any person other than the patient for whom it was prescribed.” Then again, some people are very aware of the fine print but choose to ignore it. Many people believe that because the prescription is written by their doctor, it is safe. This is not the case! Prescription narcotics are just as dangerous as illicit drugs, such as cocaine, heroin, and marijuana, if not used correctly. “There were approximately 6,000 deaths from accidental overdosing in 1990, but that figure has almost quintupled as of 2007, reaching 27,658” (Kluger, 2010, Abstract). Although prescription drugs are necessary to treat certain medical conditions, abuse of narcotics, such as stimulants, sedatives, and opiods, is steadily increasing.
The abuse of prescription stimulants mostly occurs among college students and persons aged 18 to 25. The National Institute on Drug Abuse (2001) describes stimulants as the following:
As the name suggests, a stimulant is a substance that increases alertness, attention, and energy. Some commonly prescribed stimulants are Ritalin, Adderall, and Dexedrine. These drugs are for treating disorders, such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) or narcolepsy. The effects of stimulants on the brain and body are an increase in blood pressure and heart rate, constricted blood vessels, increased blood glucose, and opened breathing passages (p. 6).
The National Survey on Drug Use and Health (2005) study found the following:
In 2003, 20.8 million Americans had used nonmedical prescription stimulants in their lifetime that included an estimated 4.0% persons aged 12- to 17-year-olds, 10.8% persons aged 18 to 25, and 9.0% persons aged 26 and older. The NSDUH also reports that in 2003, an estimated 378,000 persons in the United States met the diagnostic criteria for dependence on or abuse of stimulants in the past year (p. 2).
“Most prescription stimulants which are used non-medically are obtained through legitimate prescriptions intended to treat ADHD; however, some patients sell or give pills to their peers and some patients feign ADHD symptoms to unlawfully obtain drugs for themselves and to redistribute to others” (DuPont, 2010, p. 3)). There are no medications that are approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat stimulant addiction. National Institute on Drug Abuse (2001) explains how to treat prescription stimulant addiction in the following ways:
To treat stimulant addiction, the first step is to taper the drug dosage in an attempt to ease the withdrawal symptoms. The detoxification process could follow with behavioral therapy and finally, in conjunction with behavioral therapy, support groups will prove to be most useful during times of weakness or cravings (p. 12).
Next on the list of highly abused prescription narcotics are central nervous system depressants. The purpose of this medication is to treat people with anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, or for problems sleeping. National Institute on Drug Abuse (2001) describes CNS depressants as the following:
CNS depressants are a substance that can slow down brain activity and some people refer to them as sedatives or tranquilizers. Some commonly prescribed CNS depressants are Xanax, Valium, Ambien, or Lunesta. CNS depressants affect the brain through their ability to increase gammaamniobutyric acid (GABA), which inhibits brain activity and in return initiates a sleepy or calming effect that helps those who have anxiety or problems sleeping. Side effects of use are drowsiness and unsteadiness (p. 4-5).
According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administrations (2008), “nonmedical use of CNS depressants such as benzodiazepines were estimated at 2.6% for persons aged 12- to 17-years old, 12.1% for persons aged 18 to 25, and 8.0% for persons aged 26 and older in 2006” (p. 78). Some people tend to over medicate if they experience a tolerance to the medication that eventually will lead to physical dependence and withdrawal. National Institute on Drug Abuse (2001) explains how to treat prescription CNS depressant addiction in the following ways:
If addiction occurs, the patient should not attempt to stop taking the medicine on her own. Addicted patients should undergo medically supervised detoxification so the dosage can taper gradually. Inpatient or outpatient cognitive behavioral therapy can assist patients with modifying their thinking, expectations, and behaviors while increasing skills for coping with various life stressors (p. 12).
The last and most common widespread prescription of abuse is opiods or pain relievers. Doctors prescribe pain medications in different strengths for different problems from a simple tooth ache to pain associated with cancer patients during chemotherapy. National Institute on Drug Abuse (2001) describes opiods as the following:
Simply put pain relievers are for relieving pain. Some commonly prescribed pain relievers are Vicodin, Hydrocodone, Percocet, and OxyContin. The effects on the brain and body from opiods are drowsiness, mental confusion, nausea, constipation, respiration depression in high doses, and reduction in the perception of pain (p. 2-3).
According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services (2008), “nonmedical use of prescription opiods such as hydrocodone products were estimated at 5.4% for persons aged 12- to 17-years old, 19.2% for persons aged 18 to 25, and 7.0% for persons aged 26 and older in 2006” (p. 76). Proper use of this medication can be highly effective in the management of pain; however, if abused, this drug can be fatal. Americans have learned this by witnessing the sudden loss of Anna Nicole Smith, Heath Ledger, and Brittany Murphy. The article Prescription Drug Abuse Rising in America states that” in the last decade there has been a whopping 400% increase in the abuse or nonmedical use of prescription pain relievers among Americans” (Anonymous, 2010, p. 1). National Institute on Drug Abuse (2001) explains how to treat prescription opiod dependence in the following ways:
Several options are available for effectively treating prescription opiod addiction. These include medications like naltrexone, methadone, and buprenorphine as well as behavioral counseling approaches. Of these medications, the most commonly used today is buprenorphine and methadone. Both of these medications work by eliminating withdrawal symptoms and relieving drug cravings by acting on the brain receptors as other opiods. Therapy and support groups along with this medication can decrease greatly the chance of relapse (p. 11-12).
“In 2007, approximately 27,000 unintentional drug overdose deaths occurred in the United States, one death every 19 minutes” (CDC Grand Rounds, 2012, p. 1). “Every day about 75 people die and 2,000 people receive treatment in an emergency room visit because of unintentional poisoning; however, approximately 96% of these poisoning deaths result from drug abuse or misuse” (National Conference of State Legislatures, 2012, p. 1). The author Lawrence Robinson (2012) describes drug abuse or addiction as the following:
Drug abuse and addiction is less about how much a person uses and how often but more to do with the ramifications of drug use. Some drug users become addicted because of family history of addiction, mental disorders, such as depression and anxiety, early use of drugs, and abuse, neglect, or other traumatic experiences in childhood (Robinson, 2012, p. 1). Drug abuse or addiction does not discriminate. Regardless of someone’s age, race, sex, or financial status, it can turn his or her life upside down. Some consequences of use are financial problems, marital problems, decline in grades at school, decline of personal hygiene, and finding excuses to get out of family functions. In even worse cases, some people will sell their belongings and even themselves for these prescription medications. This problem is not getting better or going away anytime soon. Although some prescription narcotics are necessary to treat a problem that someone may be experiencing, when using a narcotic, such as a stimulant, sedative, or opiod, be sure to use extreme caution.

REFERENCES
Anonymous, (2010, July 22-28). Prescription Drug Abuse Rising in America. The Culvert
Chronicles, 5(26), 11
Center for Disease Control and Prevention. (2012). CDC Grand Rounds: Prescription Drug Overdoses - a U.S. Epidemic. Retrieved from http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm6101a3.htm?s_cid=mm6101a3_w DuPont, R. L. (2006, August). THIS ISSUE: Prescription Stimulant Abuse. Pediatric Annals, 35(8), 534, 536-7.
DuPont, R. L. (2010, June). Prescription Drug Abuse: An Epidemic Dilemma. Journal of Psychoactive Drugs, 42(2), 127-32.
Kluger, J. (2010, September 13). The New Drug Crisis: Addiction by Prescription. Time, 176(11), 46. Retrieved from http://go.galegroup.com.ezproxy.apollolibrary.com/ps/i.do?id=GALE%7CA246481050& v=2.1&u=uphoenix&it=r&p=GPS&sw=w
National Conference of State Legislatures. (2012). Prescription Drug Overdose: Postcard. Retrieved from http://www.ncsl.org/issues-research/health/drug-overdose-death-rate- postcard.aspx
National Institute on Drug Abuse. (2001). Prescription Drugs: Abuse and Addiction. Retrieved from https://www.drugabuse.gov/sites/default/files/rrprescription.pdf
National Survey on Drug Use and Health. (2005). Stimulant Use, 2003. Retrieved from http://www.samhsa.gov/data/2k5/stimulants/stimulants.htm

Robinson, L. (2012). Drug Abuse and Addiction: Signs, Symptoms, and help for Drug Problems and Substance Abuse. Retrieved from http://www.helpguide.org/mental/drug_substance_abuse_addiction_signs_effects_treatm ent.htm
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services. (2008). Office of Applied Studies 2006 National Survey on Drug Use and Health: Detailed Tables. Retrieved from
http://www.oas.samhsa.gov/NSDUH/2k6NSDUH/tabs/LOTSect1pe.htm#PPsy