Prescription Drug Abuse Facts

As people's awareness of drugs is increasing, more information regarding prescription drug use is coming to light. The most recent statistics report that prescription drug abuse is on the rise. Between 1999 and 2004 the amount of deaths from overdoses from Vicodin, Oxycontin, and Demoral went up 142%.

The most common prescription drugs that are abused are benzodiazepines; drugs such as Clonipin or Xanax, Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) medication such as Ritalin, Aderal, Welburtin, and pain killers; drugs like Vicodin, Oxycontin, and Percocet. In many cases, most people obtain these medications legitimately by their doctors for health conditions in the beginning.  Because of their addictive nature, the number of people who consume these drugs as a method to getting high is increasing both with those with legitimate prescriptions and those who are getting them illegally.

There are several ways that drug abusers get a hold of these prescriptions. The first is doctor shopping. People will call or visit different doctor's offices looking for someone to prescribe them with the drugs they want. A new addition to doctor shopping is dentist shopping. An addict will call a dentist out of the Yellow Pages, explain that they are in pain, and request a prescription for pain medicine. If the doctor or dentist refuses, the addict simply moves on to the next one.

Addicts don't have to look very far to get their hands on prescription medications; the medicine cabinet at home has become a favorite spot for a quick fix. The amount of people who leave half full bottles of prescriptions in their home is astonishing.

One former prescription drug addict, Tim Larson, recalls how he acquired his drugs. "My parents lived next door to an elderly woman." explains Larson. "I would come over and do a few odds and ends around the house. I would always ask to use the restroom. Right there, in her medicine cabinet was a bottle of Vicodin. Each time I came there I would leave with a pocket- full of pills."

"I didn't realize that I was addicted to the pills until I tried to stop." explains Larson. "I always thought that I was above the people that used street drugs, because I was taking drugs that were 'legal".

Tim Larson struggled for years with prescription drug abuse. It wasn't until he found this rehabilitation facility that he finally found a way to get and stay clean.

Our program is a non-profit, drug and alcohol rehabilitation facility. Jeff Lukas, Executive Director of the center explains what makes this program different from other drug rehab programs, "We do not subscribe to the idea that addiction is a disease. We believe that a person starts using drugs as a solution to a problem, and then what ends up happening is that the drug use causes the individual much greater problems." Lukas goes on to say that "Once an addict handles why they started using drugs in the first place they can live a life free from the grips of addiction."

Our rehab program's unique method of detoxification is another way they set themselves apart from thenorm. Clients are able to rid their bodies of the harmful drug residue that has stored in their fatty tissues by undergoing detoxification in a dry heat sauna that eliminates the drug cravings that are so often the downfall of sobriety.

After three years in operation our facility achieves an over 76% success rate for permanent sobriety, and far exceeds the industry norm of 10-20%. "We focus on returning a person to their true selves." explains Jeff Lukas. "I have met countless numbers of people who never thought they would end up living a life of an addict. Here, they are able to regain the abilities they once had."

If you think you're addicted to prescription drugs, then call to speak to one of our trained counselors who can answer your questions. We're here to help.
(877) 340-3602

The Office of National Drug Control Policy published an overview of Prescription Drug Facts & Figures. In their report they state:

The non-medical use or abuse of prescription drugs remains a serious public health concern. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse's (NIDA) research report Prescription Drugs: Abuse and Addiction, there are three classes of prescription drugs that are most commonly abused:

opioids, which are most often prescribed to treat pain—examples include: codeine, oxycodone (OxyContin and Percocet), and morphine (Kadian and Avinza);

central nervous system (CNS) depressants, which are used to treat anxiety and sleep disorders—examples include: barbiturates (Mebaral and Nembutal) and benzodiazepines (Valium and Xanax);

stimulants, which are prescribed to treat the sleep disorder narcolepsy, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and obesity—examples include: dextroamphetamine (Dexedrine and Adderall) and methylphenidate (Ritalin and Concerta).
Many Americans benefit from the appropriate use of prescription pain killers, but, when abused, they can be as addictive and dangerous as illegal drugs. Prescription drugs should only be taken exactly as directed by a medical professional.

Prescription drugs account for the second most commonly abused
category of drugs, behind marijuana and ahead of cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine, and other drugs.
 

Many Americans do benefit from the appropriate use of prescription pain killers, but, when errors are made, or the drugs are abused, they can be as addictive and dangerous as illegal drugs. Prescription drugs account for the second most commonly abused category of drugs, behind marijuana and ahead of cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine, and other drugs.

Prescription drugs that are abused or used for nonmedical reasons can alter brain activity and lead to dependence. Commonly abused classes of prescription drugs include opioids (often prescribed to treat pain), central nervous system depressants (often prescribed to treat anxiety and sleep disorders), and stimulants (prescribed to treat narcolepsy, ADHD, and obesity).

Commonly used prescription drugs include, but are not limited to, OxyContin, Darvon, Vicodin, Dilaudid, Demerol, and Lomotil. Common central nervous system depressants include barbiturates such as Nembutal, and benzodiazepines such as Valium and alprazolam Xanax. Stimulants include Dexedrine and Ritalin.

Stimulants for ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) such as Ritalin have been abused for both “performance enhancement” and recreational purposes (i.e., to get high). For the former, they suppress appetite and facilitate weight loss, increase wakefulness, and increase focus and attention. Their euphoric effects usually occur when stimulants are crushed and snorted or injected. Some abusers dissolve the tablets in water and inject the mixture; however, complications can arise from this because insoluble fillers in the tablets can block small blood vessels.

Stimulants can increase blood pressure, heart rate, body temperature, and decrease sleep and appetite, which can lead to malnutrition and its consequences. At high doses, they can lead to serious cardiovascular complications, including stroke. Repeated use of stimulants can lead to feelings of hostility and paranoia.

Addiction to stimulants is also a very real consideration for anyone taking them without medical supervision, and is more likely to occur when the stimulant induces a rapid rise in brain dopamine, as is the case when they are taken in doses and routes other than those prescribed. If used chronically, withdrawal symptoms, including fatigue, depression, and disturbed sleep patterns can emerge when the drugs are discontinued.

Addiction doesn't happen just to junkies on the street. Addiction touches lives everywhere. Kids, adults, and seniors are becoming addicted to prescription drugs at an alarming rate.  (read more)

Prescription-Abuse.org has compiled a number of online resources to help in your search for more information regarding addiction and prescription abuse...(read more)

Painkillers are not created equally. Even if as a patient follows their doctor's instructions, addiction can occur.  New pain relief products on the market are can be dangerous especially for all the wrong reasons.  (read more)

News stories from around the world tell the story of prescription abuse and the devastating effects on those who abuse and their family & friends.
(read more)

Illegal Online Pharmacies

The White House Drug Policy released a study in 2006 entitled, Synthetic Drug Control Strategy. Among its findings:

As the number of Americans with Internet access has increased, so too have opportunities for individuals to acquire controlled substance prescription drugs over the Internet. There are strong societal benefits from allowing individuals with a valid prescription to get their prescriptions over the Internet, as long as the Internet pharmacy is a legitimate one. This may be helpful in rural areas or for individuals who are homebound due to illness or other factors. However, the anonymity of the Internet and the proliferation of Web sites that facilitate illicit transactions for controlled substance prescription drugs have given drug abusers the ability to circumvent the law as well as sound medical practice.
There are legitimate pharmacies that provide services over the Internet and that operate well within the bounds of both the law and sound medical practice. However, they are far outnumbered
by the legion of rogue online pharmacy Web sites and other sites that link Internet users to those sites where controlled substances can actually be ordered without a valid prescription. The National Association of Boards of Pharmacy has established a registry of pharmacies that operate online and meet certain criteria, including compliance with licensing and inspection requirements of their State and each State to which they dispense pharmaceuticals.
By contrast, other Web sites used by Internet facilitators will often advertise themselves as pharmacies, but they do not operate in the same manner as brickandmortar pharmacies. Many of these Web sites advertise controlled substances without a prescription. Such online Web sites usually act as a facilitator, or middleman, between an individual seeking controlled substance prescription drugs and a doctor and a pharmacy willing to provide these drugs without determining whether the individual has a legitimate medical need.
Of particular concern is the cursory and abbreviated nature of the medical interaction. The Internet facilitator will provide only a cursory doctor consultation by computer or telephone for customers, which is not meant to elicit meaningful health information. The doctor writing the prescription will never actually see the patient to verify the information provided by the individual.
As such, many Web sites have no way of verifying the age of the recipient. Unlike when the patient sees the doctor, a minor can easily log onto a Web site and fill out an inaccurate age. Doctors, who are often paid by the number of prescriptions they sign in these situations, have no incentive to spend time seeking additional patient information. Law enforcement has discovered
Web site affiliated doctors who sign hundreds or thousands of prescriptions a day. After receiving the prescription from the doctor, the facilitator will then submit the prescription to a cooperating pharmacy. Because there is no identifying information on the Web site, it is difficult for law enforcement to track any of the individuals behind the Web site.
The Administration is already using available tools, conducting investigations of rogue Internet facilitator Web sites and working to intercept controlled substance prescriptions illegally sent into the United States through the mail system. For example, the DEA’s Internet investigation unit at its Special Operations Division continues to coordinate Internet cases, and the DEA has issued immediate suspensions of numerous Internet pharmacies. DOJ has prosecuted doctors and pharmacies who illegally distribute via the Internet. However, in the Administration’s Interim Report, this problem was identified as one for which Federal legislation is required.35 States can also play a significant role in addressing the problem of online facilitators, particularly through PDMPs. As part of the Administration’s work with States regarding PDMPs over the next three years, States will be encouraged to consider addressing, either by statute, regulation, or interstate agreement, situations in which:

• Pharmacies in the State dispense or deliver controlled substance prescription drugs to an address of a patient in another State.
• Pharmacies or other dispensers located in another State dispense or deliver controlled substance prescription drugs to an address of a patient in their own State.
• Pharmacies or other dispensers in another State that dispense or deliver controlled substance prescription drugs to a patient with an official address in their own State.
The Administration will continue to use the tools at its disposal to target, investigate, prosecute, and dismantle illicit online pharmacies.

We're standing by to help
(877) 340-3602