Learn from a Young Lady - Understanding the Side Effects of Painkillers Can Avoid an Addiction

With massive numbers of its young adults using prescription medication, West New York is looking at epidemic levels of prescription pill addiction.
One time straight A student, Destinee Henderson, knows all too well about prescription pill addiction and its detrimental side effects. The all-American teenage sweetheart began taking prescription medication after being diagnosed with a female health disorder- endometriosis. She was initially given hydrocodone, then Percocet and eventually Oxycontin.

This average all American teen, who was completely oblivious to the side effects  and addictive nature of the drugs she was taking every day, eventually noticed she was unable to function without the medication that would give her a powerful sense of euphoria she had never experienced before. Henderson’s life began to spiral out of control as she scrambled to find money to buy more pills and hide her addiction from her loved ones. She was forced to become a prostitute to pay for her expenses and eventually turned to heroin, a cheap alternative to prescription medication.

Following her arrest for cashing a stolen check, she was offered the possibility of entering a drug diversion program designed to help individuals overcome addiction. Fortunately,  she graduated from the program a year and a half ago and has been drug drug-free since.

Henderson, who believes she’s lucky to be alive after her ordeal, wants to share her story and warn us of just how addicting prescription drugs can be even when taken for prescribed medical reasons.

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Teen Prescription Drug Addiction:

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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]