The growing problem with prescription drugs
Prescription drug abuse is a growing problem in the US today, so much so that the DEA now views this category of substances as one of the primary drug threats throughout the country. Healthcare and medical professionals also view prescription drug abuse, addiction, or dependency as a serious public health threat.
According to the DEA, these drugs are classified into three distinct categories including the following:
- Stimulants – amphetamines and appetite depressants (caffeine and nicotine are also included in this category)
- Opioid-based analgesics (painkillers) – hydrocodone and oxycodone (codeine and fully or semi-synthetic opioids)
- Central nervous system depressants – barbiturates, benzodiazepines, and sleep enhancers (alcohol is also included in this category)
Prescription drug abuse refers to taking medications that have not been prescribed for you. Additionally, it means that the drug is being taken in higher doses than what has been prescribed or for purposes other than what it was prescribed for (i.e., recreational use). The abuse of prescription drugs is most commonly seen
According to the DEA, prescription drug abuse is most commonly witnessed among teenagers and adults in their early 20’s as well as senior citizens.
The elderly oftentimes abuse them without even knowing that they are because of how quickly the tolerance to them builds up. As a result, most addiction treatment and recovery centers throughout the US today now offer rehab programs that feature prescription drug detox. However, with teens and young adults, abusing these drugs is often a result of curiosity that leads to experimenting with them or peer pressure.
Why have these drugs become so popular?
Although there is no straightforward reason for the growing popularity of prescription drug use, numerous schools of thought claim that this is most likely related to one of the following reasons:
- In most cases, prescription drugs are more affordable than other street drugs such as cocaine, heroin, and methamphetamine
- Most of the prescription drugs that are being used recreationally today are widely available and commonly prescribed by most physicians
- Simple economics tells you that the more these drugs are being prescribed, the greater the demand for them becomes which leads to a higher rate or production and availability
Interestingly enough, prescription drugs have surpassed the use of alcohol and nicotine among teens and young adults because of this widespread accessibility and availability. Due to the high potential for addiction or dependency, prescription drug detox and rehab programs have witnessed an increasing number of admissions into addiction treatment and recovery centers to address these issues.
For more information on an effective prescription drug detox and rehab program, please contact Blue Water Detox at the toll-free phone number listed above and speak with one of our specialists today.
