Drug Abuse

Question by CDubb12: is teen drug use a huge factor among middle- high schoolers?

Best answer:

Answer by Malina
From what I recall, that’s when some kids begin doing things like pot and drinking alcohol. I wouldn’t say as many as did in high school. I wouldn’t know for sure though because I never hung out with the kids that did, but it does happen.

Answer by Mathieu
Define “huge factor.”

There is no question that drug use in middle and high school students is a serious problem.

Prescription drugs have become the biggest area of concern because a significant percent of students have ADHD, or a mood, or anxiety disorder. So people are getting prescriptions for Xanax (alprazolam), Ativan (lorazepam), Ambien (zolpidem), Ritalin (methylphenidate), Adderall (mixed amphetamines), and Dexedrine (dextroamphetamine). Not to mention opioid analgesics that people may be prescribed after having their molars removed, a sports injury, or something else. So middle/high school students are getting prescription drugs with a risk of abuse (most do not abuse but many do). And some students raid their typically oblivious parents medicine cabinet for many of the same types of drugs. But adults are more likely to have hypnotics, benzodiazepines (Valium, Restoril, Xanax, Ativan, Klonopin/Rivotril), and especially opioids (Vicodin, Percocet, OxyContin, MS Contin, Codeine) which teens typically do not have much access to. Vicodin and other drugs with hydrocodone are typically most abused followed but drugs with oxycodone, primarily Percocet. But in The US Vicodin is a schedule II drug and any drug with oxycodone is schedule II and not used as often.

Over the counter cough medication (primarily dextromethorphan (DXM)) are commonly abused due to easy access, used of this drug is often called “robo-tripping” from Robitussin. DXM is a dissociative due to its antagonism of NMDA. Ketamine, an anesthetic has similar properties but is far more powerful. This drug can have neurotoxic effects and is a dangerous substance when taken in doses for recreational use.

And marijuana and alcohol are still very popular.

ADHD drugs (Ritalin, Adderall, Dexedrine) are also very popular as study aids to allow people to stay awake longer and focus better. It is extremely rare for this to escalate into full blown abuse.

However addiction as opposed to recreational drug use is equal at all ages. So a 14 year old might misuse a drug but his risk of addiction is the same as a person 20, 30, or 75. In the end most people abusing drugs do not develop a substance abuse/dependence problem.

Also abuse of antipsychotics, often used to treat anxiety, insomnia, depression, and bipolar are abused even though they have no recreational effects other than to cause sleepiness and to make people feel numb.

Typically a psychiatrist, for example, would question a person 12 years or older about any drug use because age 12 is when use begins to increase greatly.

I remember a few kids in my high school who took Adderall to wake up in the morning, Vicodin to make class more pleasant, Xanax and Valium to help them relax, topped off by an Ambien or two for sleep. That type of use is very dangerous but uncommon.

However most people will not use drugs in a recreational and if they have a prescription they only use the drugs as prescribed.