Who is affected by prescription drug abuse

Research report series. The nonmedical use and abuse of prescription drugs is a serious public health problem in this country. Although most people take prescription medications responsibly, an estimated 52 million people 20 percent of those aged 12 and older have used prescription drugs for nonmedical reasons at least once in their lifetimes.

Young people are strongly represented in this group. In fact, the National Institute on Drug Abuse's NIDA Monitoring the Future MTF survey found that about 1 in 12 high school seniors reported past-year nonmedical use of the prescription pain reliever Vicodin in , and 1 in 20 reported abusing OxyContin—making these medications among the most commonly abused drugs by adolescents. The abuse of certain prescription drugs— opioids, central nervous system CNS depressants, and stimulants—can lead to a variety of adverse health effects, including addiction.

Among those who reported past-year nonmedical use of a prescription drug, nearly 14 percent met criteria for abuse of or dependence on it. The reasons for the high prevalence of prescription drug abuse vary by age, gender, and other factors, but likely include greater availability. The number of prescriptions for some of these medications has increased dramatically since the early s.

The reasons for the high prevalence of prescription drug misuse vary by age, gender, and other factors, but likely include ease of access. Misuse of prescription drugs is highest among young adults ages 18 to 25, with Among youth ages 12 to 17, 4. After alcohol, marijuana, and tobacco, prescription drugs taken nonmedically are among the most commonly used drugs by 12 th graders. Although past-year nonmedical use of CNS depressants has remained fairly stable among 12 th graders since , use of prescription opioids has declined sharply.

For example, past-year nonmedical use of Vicodin among 12 th graders was reported by 9. Learn the Truth About Drugs, enroll in the free online courses. Find out the truth about prescription drugs. Get the facts. Request your free copy of the booklet, Prescription Drug Abuse. Sign the pledge and lead the way to a drug-free life. Work with others to help spread the truth about drugs. Thank you for subscribing. Sign up for news and updates from the Foundation! Connect with us! The Foundation for a Drug-Free World is a nonprofit, international drug education program proudly sponsored by the Church of Scientology and Scientologists all over the world.

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