In this age group, young women are more likely than young men to use psychotherapeutic drugs nonmedically. In addition, research has shown that women are at increased risk for nonmedical use of narcotic analgesics and tranquilizers (e.g., benzodiazepines). The NIDA Monitoring the Future survey of 8th, 10th and 12th graders found that the nonmedical use of opioids, tranquilizers, sedatives/barbiturates, and amphetamines was unchanged between 2003 and 2004. Specifically, the survey found that 5.0 percent of 12th graders reported using OxyContin without a prescription in the past year, and 9.3 percent reported using Vicodin, making Vicodin one of the most commonly abused licit drugs in this population. Past year, nonmedical use of tranquilizers (e.g., Valium, Xanax) in 2004 was 2.5 percent for 8th graders, 5.1 percent for 10th graders and 7.3 percent for 12th graders.
What Are Some of the Commonly Abused Prescription Drugs?
Although a behavioral or pharmacological approach alone may be effective for treating drug addiction, research shows that, at least in the case of opioid addiction, a combination of both is most effective. The risks for addiction to prescription drugs increase when the drugs are used in ways other than for those prescribed. Health care providers, primary care physicians and pharmacists, as well as patients themselves, all can play a role in identifying and preventing prescription drug abuse. According to the 2001 National Household Survey on Drug Abuse (now the NSDUH), 63 percent of youth who had used prescription drugs nonmedically in the past year had also used marijuana in the past year, compared with 17 percent of youth who had not used prescription drugs nonmedically in the past year. Substance abuse is a significant public health concern affecting millions of people worldwide.
Types Of Substance Abuse: The Different Forms of Addiction
However, health care providers should not avoid prescribing or administering strong CNS depressants and painkillers, if they are needed. Over time, providers should note any rapid increases in the amount of a medication needed which may indicate the development of tolerance or frequent requests for refills before the quantity prescribed should have been used. They also should be alert to the fact that those addicted to prescription medications may engage in “doctor shopping,” moving from provider to provider in an effort to get Drug rehabilitation multiple prescriptions for the drug they abuse. Typically, they should not be used with other substances that depress the CNS, such as alcohol, antihistamines, barbiturates, benzodiazepines or general anesthetics, because these combinations increase the risk of life-threatening respiratory depression. Illicit drug abuse involves the use of illegal substances such as cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine, and ecstasy.
- Whether you or someone you know is dealing with substance abuse, it’s crucial to seek support and treatment.
- This article explores the main types of substance abuse, ranging from alcohol and prescription drugs to illicit drugs and inhalants, offering insight into their effects and risks.
- The skit script “It’s Drug Abuse!” aims to educate college students about the serious issue of prescription drug abuse, focusing on the opiate epidemic.
- Data on the risk of developing prescription drug abuse and prescription drug use disorders from an initial medical prescription are limited.
۲.۳. The Transition from Medical Use to Abuse
- Understanding the different types of substance abuse helps individuals recognize the dangers, seek help when needed, and work towards prevention.
- While ED visits attributed to drug addiction and drug-taking for psychoactive effects have been increasing, intentional overdose visits have remained stable since 1995.
- Prior history of other substance use disorders appears to predict prescription drug abuse, both among those receiving a prescription and in the general population (Faraone & Wilens, 2007; Sweeney, Sembower, Ertischek, Shiffman, & Schnoll, 2013).
- Prescription drugs that are abused appear to come from a variety of sources, ranging from prescriptions received by a doctor, to diversion from friends and family, to purchase through illicit markets.
- Also within the past year, 6.5 percent of 12th graders used sedatives/ barbiturates (e.g., Amytal, Nembutal) nonmedically and 10.0 percent used amphetamines (e.g., Ritalin, Benzedrine).
Assessment of clusters of risk factors has demonstrated some promise for identifying those at risk of prescription opioid abuse (Butler, Budman, Fernandez, & Jamison, 2004; Holmes et al., 2006). The prevalence of prescription drug abuse escalated rapidly beginning in the late 1990s, requiring a significant increase in research to better understand the nature and treatment of this problem. Since this time, a research literature has begun to develop and has provided important information about how prescription drug abuse is similar to, and different from the abuse of other substances. This introduction to a special issue of the Journal of Substance Abuse Treatment on prescription drug abuse provides an overview of the current status of the research literature in this area. The papers in this special issue include a sampling of the latest research on the epidemiology, clinical correlates, treatment, and public policy considerations of prescription drug abuse. Although much has been learned about prescription drug abuse in recent years, this research remains in early stages, particularly with respect to understanding effective treatments for this population.
- Assessment of clusters of risk factors has demonstrated some promise for identifying those at risk of prescription opioid abuse (Butler, Budman, Fernandez, & Jamison, 2004; Holmes et al., 2006).
- A question about the use of prescription painkillers was added to the most recent (2005–۰۶) California Student Survey (CSS).
- Older patients are more likely to be prescribed long-term and multiple prescriptions, which could lead to unintentional misuse.
- Nicotine addiction is difficult to overcome and carries a high risk of cancers, respiratory diseases, and heart issues.
- Prescription opioid users appear to require similar doses of buprenorphine and have similar induction outcomes to heroin users (Nielsen, Hillhouse, Mooney, Fahey, & Ling, 2012), and as noted above, have treatment outcomes that appear to be comparable if not more favorable on many outcome measures.
Development of Safer Medications
Although much has been learned about the nature and treatment of prescription drug abuse in recent years, there are many pressing questions in need of further investigation. Research is needed on the interactions among prescription drugs of abuse and between these drugs and other licit and illicit drugs. Schoenfelder et al. (2014) demonstrated interactions between a prescription stimulant (methylphenidate) and marijuana with respect to heart rate, cognitive performance, and subjective drug effects. Results suggested that the combination of these drugs may have concerning effects, particularly with respect to cardiac health. Research in understudied subgroups, such as older adults and pregnant women, prescription drug abuse and those with concurrent pain and opioid dependence is needed to better understand the impact of prescription drug abuse on these groups.
Behavioral treatments encourage patients to stop drug use and teach them how to function without drugs, handle cravings, avoid drugs and situations that could lead to drug use and handle a relapse should it occur. When delivered effectively, behavioral treatments such as individual counseling, group or family counseling, contingency management and cognitive-behavioral therapies also can help patients improve their personal relationships and their ability to function at work and in the community. Opioids are commonly prescribed because of their effective analgesic, or pain-relieving, properties. Medications that fall within this class—referred to as prescription narcotics—include morphine (e.g., Kadian, Avinza), codeine, oxycodone (e.g., OxyContin, Percodan, Percocet) and related drugs.
- Although it remains too early to systematically evaluate the effectiveness of such efforts, there are early success in the ability to implement targeted changes (e.g., changes in prescription monitoring systems).
- If a doctor prescribes a pain medication, stimulant or CNS depressant, follow the directions for use carefully and learn about the effects that the drug could have, especially during the first few days during which the body is adapting to the medication.
- Secondhand smoke exposure also poses risks to non-smokers, making tobacco and nicotine abuse a public health concern.
Prescription drug abuse may be more prevalent among rural pregnant women (Shannon, Havens, & Hays, 2010). Given the importance of treatment for pregnant women to both the health of the mother and of the developing fetus, more research with this subgroup is needed. Prescription drugs can be obtained legally and are almost universally present in households, and thus are different in meaningful ways relative to both access and perceptions of risk than drugs only obtained illegally. Accordingly, there appear to be meaningful differences between prescription and illicit drugs of the same class. For example, cue-induced craving appears to be less robust among those abusing prescription opioids relative to those abusing heroin (McHugh, Park, & Weiss, 2014), and these groups may also have different responses to treatment (see below).