Prescription Drug Abuse

The television show House is a well known medical program. The show is about Dr. Gregory House who prescribed his own medication for immense leg pain. Dr. House ultimately fell into addiction; furthermore, he would lie, steal, and even went to the extreme measures to write his own prescriptions illegally (Legally). Prescription drug abuse (PDA) is the use of prescribed medication using it in a way not intended by the prescribing doctor such as for the experience or in the sense of being provoked. Prescription drugs come in various configurations and perform an assortment of purposes. Pain relief medications can be prescribed for minor strained muscles or traumatic surgical procedures. Abusing prescription drugs can cause negative effects such
The three most commonly abused prescription drugs are opioids, stimulants, and depressants. Opioids are narcotic pain medications. When taken appropriately, opioids can be used to regulate pain without unpleasant side effects. Rozenbroek and Rothstein stated that opioids are a type of prescription drug which are prescribed for pain relief and can produce euphoria or a sense of well-being when used non-medically. Commonly abused painkillers include OxyContin, Vicodin, Morphine and Demerol. What makes these so popular is the intense feeling of pleasure or rush people get from their effects (Schmidt). Their pleasurable effects often derive from their ability to stimulate the brain’s pleasure circuits, which are similar to the feelings of sexual pleasure or pleasure from eating a satisfying meal. Adding to the problem is that prescription opioids can become drugs of abuse when they are used illicitly as street drugs. Sedatives are drugs taken to induce sleep. The misuse of prescription drugs is undertaken by all age groups (Abuse). This Adults (ages 18-25) are the biggest abusers of prescription drugs such as opioid pain relievers, anti-anxiety drugs and ADHD stimulants. Almost 6% 12-17 year olds, 12% of 18-25 year olds, and 5% of 26 and older non-medically used prescription drugs in the past year. Teens are most likely to abuse drugs not prescribed for them. Usually,
Addiction occurs when the power or frequency of the dosage is being used in excess of the advised prescription. Individuals can become addicted to an authorized substance, whether it was or was not legally obtained (American). Another reason why people get addicted is when there is a change in the body’s central nervous system (CNS) when the dosage is increased. The body’s tolerance will exceed for the medication for it to be able to meet the intended needs of the CNS. The most high-risk people susceptible to prescription drug addiction are teens, the elderly, and women. Teens go through many changes that can lead to experimentation, self-esteem issues, and individualism. This journey can lead to addictions to stimulants and painkillers. Not all teens who become addicts are “trying to find themselves”, some are athletes who are injured and become addicted to painkillers. In the teen years, acceptance is highly sought after among peers, leading to a high risk of addiction from peer pressure.