Prescription drugs have certainly made our lives easier, allowing people to fend off disease, infection and increase life expectancy. However, alongside these benefits, prescription drug abuse has become a growing epidemic. From prescription drug overdose to recreational use, the epidemic of prescription drug abuse has led millions of Americans down the road of chemical dependency.
The Epidemic of Prescription Drug Abuse
A 2007 survey showed that nearly 2.5 million people across the country have used prescription pain relieving drugs for recreational use. In fact, over their lifetimes, 50 million Americans have abused prescription drugs at one point or another. Within the last month alone, seven million Americans have abused prescription drugs, not only taking them without a prescription—but without a medical reason at all, according to the National Survey on Drug Use and Health.
Prescription Drug Abuse Among Youth
Even teens and tweens have fallen prey to prescription drug abuse, with nearly 10 percent of high school seniors—and 7 percent of 8th graders—using amphetamines without prescriptions. Additionally, in 2008, a survey of high school seniors showed that one in ten have used Vicodin without a prescription within the last year. In fact, among 12 to 13 year olds, prescription medications were the preferred drugs to use recreationally.
Types of Prescription Drug Abuse
The epidemic of prescription drug abuse takes many forms. From “doctor shopping” to obtain multiple and unnecessary prescriptions to the use of illegal street sales, prescription drugs have become easy to obtain and easy to become dependent upon. Painkillers remain one of the most abused prescription drugs, with amphetamines and psychoactive drugs not far behind.
With the advent of internet pharmacies, obtaining prescription drugs has become as easy as filling out an online form. In fact, a 2007 Columbia University study showed that 84 percent of Internet pharmacies did not even require a prescription to obtain medication. Hospital and personal theft also contributes to prescription drug abuse and dependency, with relatives and friends purchasing or stealing medications from family members or medical facilities.
