What Motivates Teens to Engage in Prescription Drug Abuse?

A nothing-can-hurt-me attitude, the desire of experience life, experiment with new things along with, many times, peer influence and bad judgment can lead a teen to become addicted to prescription drugs.Ultimately, their desire for getting high outweighs their perception of the risks.

Every day, 2,500 teenagers use a prescription drug to get high for the first time. They're accessing these drugs in the comfort of home where they can easily reach to a cupboard, drawer, or medicine cabinet.

Statistics Show:
• 12 to 17 year olds abuse prescription drugs more than they abuse ecstasy, crack/cocaine, heroin, and methamphetamine combined
• 60% of teens who have abused prescription painkillers did so before age 15
• There are as many new abusers age 12 to 17 of prescription drugs as there are of marijuana

Teenagers turn to prescription drugs because they perceive them as less dangerous than illegal drugs because this is after all, a drug that has been prescribed by a doctor. Because of this, teenage prescription drug abuse is on the rise. The good news is, as a parent, you can influence your teen's decision not to use any type of drugs. The majority of teens still report that their parents—not their peers or the media—have the biggest influence on their decision to stay drug-free. Use this influence to talk to your teen about the danger of misusing prescription drugs.

If you suspect your child is abusing prescription drugs, seek professional help and remember these three C's: that 'you didn't Cause, can't Control and can't Cure' your child's problems. But you can and must take charge if you find out your child is abusing prescription drugs. The earlier you act upon your child’s addiction problems the better will be the outcome for your child.

Reach out to us. For more information on our treatment programs contact us:

Teen Treatment Programs: 1-888-757-6237
http://www.inspirationsyouth.com
http://www.inspirationsteenrehab.com

Young Adults and Adults Treatment Programs: 1-888-387-6237
http://www.covecenterforrecovery.com

Most Popular Prescription Drugs Abused by Teens

According to Prescription Drug Abuse, prescription drugs are the second most commonly abused category of drugs, running a close second behind marijuana and well ahead of cocaine, heroin and methamphetamines. In 2000, about 43 percent of emergency room visits for drug overdoses occurred because of the misuse of prescription drugs. The top 10 most abused prescription drugs may be listed in differing order depending on the statistical information used.

Hydrocodone
Hydrocodone belongs to the class of drugs called opioids, which are used for pain control in individuals who have moderate to severe pain. Opioids can be taken by mouth, crushed and snorted or injected. A number of deaths have been reported with injection of drugs intended for slow release in the body such as OxyContin, which is a derivative of hydrocodone. Opioids may cause constipation and drowsiness and can depress the rate of breathing and lead to death.

Codeine
Codeine is another opioid. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), codeine may cause respiratory depression and arrest, nausea, confusion, constipation, sedation and coma. The Drug Enforcement Administration says codeine is the most widely used narcotic in medical treatment and is one of the starting materials used to develop hydrocodone. It is usually taken in pill form and can be found in combination with acetaminophen or aspirin or as a cough suppressant in liquid form.

"Xanax"
"Xanax" is used for anxiety disorders, panic disorders and anxiety caused by depression. Drinking alcohol with "Xanax" increases the effects of the alcohol. According to drugs.com, "Xanax" is habit forming and should never be prescribed for people with a history of abuse or addiction to prescription drugs. Side effects can include risk-taking behavior, depression, hyperactivity, light-headedness, seizures, muscle twitching, jaundice and less frequent urination.

Adderall
Adderall is another stimulant that gained national attention when the son of former Vice President Al Gore was arrested for possessing Adderall, marijuana and Valium. Adderall is used to get a speedy high or "pull an all-nighter" to study.

Ritalin
Ritalin is a stimulant designed to increase alertness, attention and energy. It is commonly prescribed to children who have attention deficit disorder but is now a drug of choice among college students who are interested in staying up longer and studying harder. According to NIDA, the medication is usually taken orally, but people also dissolve it and inject the solution. However, it contains insoluble fillers that can block small blood vessels and cause tissue death.

Valium
Valium is the registered brand name of Diazepam. It is an anti-anxiety drug that changes the chemical balance in the brain and is often prescribed for alcohol withdrawal, shakiness, agitation and muscle pain. According to Prescription Drug Abuse, it is very common and easy to obtain. The body builds up a tolerance over just one month. Symptoms of abuse depend upon how long and at what level the person has been using the drug.

If you or someone you know is struggling with prescription drug abuse or addiction and is in need of help, Inspirations Teen Rehab offers a flexible and affordable teen addiction treatment program. Our aim is to treat the whole person, and not just an isolated symptom. During the addiction treatment process we will work with the teen to identify the factors that may have contributed to the prescription drug abuse and addiction – home, friends and medical history. We also believe that families have a vital role to play in the recovery process, and each addiction treatment program has a place for family participation, to educate them in the treatment process and to equip them for their role as supporters.

Reach out to us. Recovery from addiction is just a click or a phone call away. If the information you are looking for is not found here and you need immediate attention you may contact us:

Teen Addiction Help: 1-888-757-6237 http://www.inspirationsyouth.comhttp//www.inspirationsteenrehab.com

Addiction Treatment for Young Adults and Adults : 1-888-387-6237 http://www.covecenterforrecovery.com[/b]