Alex Ettinger 11/16/09
Prescription Drug Abuse
Due 11/24/09
Table of Contents Lead Story– Story Basic Info Sub Story 1—graphs and 1 charts Sub Story 22- Types Sub Story 33- Reasons for abuse Sub Story 44- Consequences Sub Story 55- Treatment
Basic Info An estimated 20 percent of people in the United States use prescription drugs that they are not prescribed to for nonmedical reasons. This is prescription drug abuse. A person is prescribed to a drug for a certain reason and is given a dose by a doctor that will be the most effective and safe for them. Prescription drugs are used a lot of the time to eliminate stress. It is often
believed that, because a doctor has prescribed them, the drug is more powerful and will work better, which isn't true. Usually, the side effects of a drug are what most people take them for (lose weight, concentrate or sleep better etc). Prescription drugs can be easier to get than “street drugs”. Many drug dealers do sell them, but some people can get their hands on a good amount of their phar-
macy just by looking inside their friends and families medicine cabinet. It isn't true that taking a drug that you are not prescribed to is safer than other illegal drugs, this is just as illegal and just as dangerous.
Statistics (graphs and Charts)
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Prescription Drug Abuse
Prescription Drugs that are abused The type of drug that a person takes depends on what effect they are looking for. Pain relievers are some of the most common drugs that people will take. OxyContin, Vicodin and Demerol are all very strong pain relievers. These drugs are mostly given to people after they have had surgery or if they have been in an accident. Taking them will make you
unaware of your surroundings and temporarily unable to feel things emotionally and physically. (2) Drugs with a similar effect are depressants or anxiety medications that treat with panic attacks or anxiety and sleep disorders. This medication slows your brain activity and cause you to slur your speech and become very drowsy. (2) Another kind of drug
that is taken without a prescription is stimulants. People will use this to help them focus or to get their energy up, the drug increases their brain activity. Stimulants can be used to treat behavioral or mental disorders like ADHD. Drugs such as Ritalin and Adderall have are taken for this purpose. These specific drugs have been found to be very popular to abusers. (3)
Reasons For Abuse People all around the world take drugs for different reasons. Some who take illegal drugs to increase their state of mind and achieve the feeling of ecstasy, a state of joy and calmness where your mind feels free. Depression, anxiety, stress, these are all dangerous feelings that can mess with ones mind,
taking a drug is that persons way to escape reality and make the pain go away (temporary). Abusers of prescription drugs are so attracted to them because they numbs the body and eliminate any physical or emotional pain. (1) When under the influence of some of these drugs, your mind freezes and all
of the problems that usually fill your mind disappear. (1) Ultimately, a person abuses these drugs with the hopes of making their troubles go away. It is common knowledge to most that no drug will cure a persons pain completely but people become dependent on these drugs instead of facing their dif-
your health history and life style (smoking, drinking, illness or other medicines) to ensure there will be no negative side effect. Taking these drugs without a doctors permission is very risky. Taking a powerful drug when your body has no need for it puts it in stressful conditions. Peo-
ple can die and overdose from taking these drugs.
Consequences Taking prescription drugs is extremely dangerous and can damage your health permanently. Just because these medicines are prescribed by doctors does NOT mean they are safer, in fact they can be more dangerous. Before prescribing a medicine, your doctor will go over
Alex Ettinger
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Inside Story Headline Recovering from an addiction problem to prescription drug is just as difficult as recovering from illegal drugs or alcoholism. It seems that addiction to prescription drugs isn’t as talked about today in society but is just as devastating to the abusers family and friends. On your way to a successful and permanent recovery, you first
must admit and be aware of your problem. (2) The hardest part is seeking help. It can be humiliating and make a person feel that they are showing signs of weakness. Often, seeking help leads to a relapse. You have to be willing to do the work and get the help you need. Going away to a rehabilitation center has shown to
be very beneficial and teach abusers to accept responsibility , learn the skills and coping mechanisms they need to stay sober and then move on.
Citations 1. Ezinearticles.com. Web. 20 Nov. 2009. <http://ezinearticles.com/?Why-DoPeople-Abuse-Prescription-Drugs?&id=820436>. 2. Www.drug-addiction-support.org. Web. 20 Nov. 2009. <http://www.drugaddiction-support.org/>. 3.
Kidshealth.org. Web. 19 Nov. 2009. <http://kidshealth.org/teen/
drug_alcohol/drugs/prescription_drug_abuse.html>.
3.
Kidshealth.org. Web. 22 Nov. 2009. <http://kidshealth.org/teen/
drug_alcohol/drugs/prescription_drug_abuse.html>.
4.
Www.nlm.nih.gov. Web. 22 Nov. 2009. <http://www.nlm.nih.gov/
medlineplus/prescriptiondrugabuse.html>.
Images Abusegroup.com. Web. 20 Nov. 2009. <http://www.abusegroup.com/ prescription-drug-abuse_clip_image001.jpg>. Erowid.org. Web. 21 Nov. 2009. <http://www.erowid.org/psychoactives/ statistics/images/statistics_article2_lifetimeuse1.jpg>. Fascinoma.files.wordpress.com. Web. 23 Nov. 2009. <http:// fascinoma.files.wordpress.com/2009/03/ _44647286_pill_bottles_spl_226170bjpg.jpeg>. Mailorderprescription.com. Web. 19 Nov. 2009. <http:// www.mailorderprescription.com/images/prescription/ prescription_250x251.jpg>. Redgum.bendigo.latrobe.edu. Web. 23 Nov. 2009. <http:// redgum.bendigo.latrobe.edu.au/~aantonov/images/adderall.png>. . Wisconsinliteracy.org. Web. 22 Nov. 2009. <http:// www.wisconsinliteracy.org/images/homepage/dr_pills_white.jpg>. Www.ayurvedictalk.com. Web. 20 Nov. 2009. <http:// www.ayurvedictalk.com/wp-content/uploads/2006/11/stress-andayurveda.jpg>. Www.rational.org. Web. <http://www.rational.org/blog/wp-content/ uploads/2007/07/RecoveryFirst.jpg>.