Drug Abuse

Michael Jackson. Heath Ledger. Brittany Murphy. Ana Nicole Smith. All of them are popular celebrities—people who thousands all over the world look up to. Their fame and star qualities aren’t the only things that they have in common, though. All three—Jackson, Ledger, Smith and Murphy have died supposedly because of prescription drug abuse. With the abuse of prescription drugs rising all over the world, illegal drug abuse has taken a back seat to the misuse of legal drugs. Now, the number one killer drugs in the world aren’t heroin or cocaine, but drugs that are legal and prescribed by doctors.

In the United Kingdom, prescription drug abuse has become a threat to the health and lives of many people both young and old alike. A recent study by Professor Joan Busfield, titled A Pill for Every Ill, reveals that the number of prescriptions dispensed in the UK per person doubled from 8 to more than 16. Although the problem is not as prevalent as it is in the US, the issue still exists, with teens becoming hooked on anti-depressants and young adults developing prescription drug dependency to painkillers. To help you become aware of the problems brought about by prescription drug abuse, read the following important facts below. With this information, you might even be able to save someone from drug abuse.

1. There are two main types that people may refer to when it comes to addiction. As with illegal drug abuse, abusers of prescription drugs also experience two types of addiction: physical and psychological. The former includes such withdrawal symptoms as nausea, vomiting or even cramping, while the latter may cause depression, anxiety and irritability.

2. The most commonly abused prescription drugs are those that fall under the opioids category. These are painkillers, including Codein, oxycodone, Oxycontin and Percocet, as well as morphine products. Next on the list are central nervous depressants (commonly known as sleeping aids) such as Mebaral, Valium and Xanax. Many people also develop prescription drug dependency to stimulants, such as Adderall, Dexedrine, Concerta and Ritalin.

3. Reports show that about 10 to 20% of the entire population of the world use sleeping pills and that some people develop prescription drug dependency on these accidentally or involuntarily.

4. Prescription drug abuse and addiction is characterized by the inability of the person to stop using these drugs. They also develop a tolerance for the prescription drug, thus responding less and less to the same amount or dosage. When tolerance is developed, people start to experience withdrawal symptoms. Because of this, doctors sometimes prescribe a higher dosage of the drug or give other prescription drugs to patients.

5. A study done at the Stockholm University in Sweden revealed that more than half of patient who have become dependent on sedatives or tranquilizers showed signs of brain or intellectual deterioration.

6. A study done by Professor Alan DeSantis of the University of Kentucky showed that 34 % of the total number of UK students surveyed admitted that they took ADHD medication, such as Adderall, without prescriptions. He also found out that most of the suppliers of these prescription medications were also students themselves.

With the statistics and rising numbers of prescription drug abuse, stricter measures have to be implemented, especially in countries like the UK. Everyone, parents, especially, have to keep their eyes out, not only for illegal drug abuse, but for prescription drug dependency as well.

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