Why do teens use prescription drugs?

What are the most common drugs that are abused?

Over-the-Counter Drugs

Are you addicted?



Why do teens use prescription drugs?

Teens experiment with prescription drugs for many different reasons – they may feel that the drugs will help them lose weight, be more fun, be more successful and to fit in. Prescription drugs can be easier to get than street drugs since they can be found in family’s or friend’s medicine cabinets.

A 2006 National Survey on Drug Use and Health showed that amount all youths aged 12-17, 6% had tried prescription drugs for recreational use in the last month.

Often it is thought that if they are prescribed, then they can’t be dangerous, right? Wrong, prescription drugs are ONLY safe for those they are prescribed for in the dose prescribed. Doctor’s monitor those they are prescribing the drugs to, inform them of specific instruction on how/when to take them and are aware of any potentially dangerous side effects

Prescription drug abuse by teens and young adults is a serious problem in the United States. As reported in the 2008 Partnership for a Drug Free America’s annual tracking study:

  • One in five teens has abused a prescription (Rx) pain medication
  • One in five report abusing prescription stimulants and tranquilizers
  • One in ten has abused cough medication

Many teens think these drugs are safe because they have legitimate uses, but taking them without a prescription to get high or “self-medicate” can be as dangerous – and addictive – as using street narcotics and other illicit drugs.

If you want to read more about Prescription Drug Abuse and teens, click here to read Prescription for Disaster: How Teens Abuse Prescription Drugs, a guide from the DEA.

What are the most common drugs that are abused?

Painkillers

Prescribed uses: Painklillers and opioids are used to treat pain, as a cough surppresant, to relieve diarrhea or to induce anesthesia.

Examples:

  • Codeine, like morphine, is found in opium. It is weaker than morphine and used predominantly as a painkiller.
  • Fentanyl is a man-made opioid painkiller similar to morphine that is administered as a skin patch or orally.
  • Morphine is the powerful, active ingredient of opium. It is used as a painkiller and sedative.
  • Opium comes from the opium poppy and was formerly used in medicine to soothe pain but is now often replaced by morphine, codeine or man-made substitutes such as opioids.
  • Hydrocodone is often combined with acetaminophen and used as a painkiller. One example of Hydrocodone is Vicodin.
  • Oxycodone/Propoxyphene/Meperidine are narcotic painkillers. A few examples include: OxyContin, Percocet, Percodan, Darvon and Demerol.

Painkillers like OxyContin and Vicodin are the prescription drugs most commonly abused by teens. In fact, a 2007 study revealed that nearly one in 10 high school seniors has abused Vicodin and more than 5% of seniors have abused OxyContin.1

Why they are taken by teens: Teens abuse these narcotics to get high and experience a general sense of well-being characterized by reduced tension, anxiety and aggression.2

How they are taken: Most teens report swallowing pills, but they can also be crushed and snorted.3

Side effects and symptoms:

  • Drowsiness
  • Inability to concentrate
  • Apathy
  • Lack of energy
  • Constriction of the pupils
  • Flushing of the face and neck
  • Constipation
  • Nausea
  • Vomiting
  • Respiratory depression

Physical signs of painkiller overdose include pinpoint pupils, cold and clammy skin, confusion, convulsions, severe drowsiness and slow or troubled breathing.4

Street names: Codeine:Captain Cody, Cody, Schoolboy; Fentanyl: Apache, China Girl, TNT; Morphine: Morph, Miss Emma, M; Opium: Big O, Black stuff, Block; Hydrocodone: Vikes, Vikings, Watson-387; Oxycodone/Propoxyphene/Meperidine: Oxies, OC, Oxycotton, Percs, Dust, Juice, Dillies

Depressants

Prescribed uses: Depressants are prescribed by doctors to treat anxiety and panic attacks, acute stress reactions, tension and sleep disorders.

Examples:

  • Phenobarbital sodium (Nembutal) is in a class of drugs called barbiturates and it depresses the activity of the brain and nervous system. It is often prescribed to treat insomnia (for up to 2 weeks) and to induce sleep before surgery. One type of Phenobarbital is Nembutal.
  • Diazepam (Valium) is a prescription medication used to treat anxiety disorders, insomnia, seizures, muscle spasms, alcohol withdrawal and benzodiazepine withdrawal.
  • Alprazolam , also known under the trade names Xanax, Xanor and Niravam, is a short-acting drug of the benzodiazepine class used to treat moderate to severe anxiety disorders, panic attacks and is used as an adjunctive treatment for anxiety associated with moderate depression.

Depressants such as sedatives and tranquilizers have been growing in popularity among teens. In 2007, 6% of high school seniors reported abusing depressants including Valium and Xanax, compared to 4% in 1995.1

Why they are taken by teens: While different depressants work in unique ways, they produce a drowsy or calming effect that can help those suffering from anxiety or sleep disorders and because they can produce a state of intoxication, they have a high potential for abuse.2

Side effects and symptoms:

  • Dilated pupils
  • Slurred speech
  • Relaxed muscles
  • Intoxication
  • Loss of motor coordination
  • Fatigue
  • Respiratory depression
  • Sensory alteration
  • Lowered blood pressure
  • Dizziness
  • Drowsiness
  • Fever
  • Poor concentration
  • Feelings of confusion
  • Impaired judgment
  • Lowered inhibitions
  • Depression
  • Confusion
  • Irritability3

Street names: Benzos, Xanies, Xani-bars, Xani-bombs, Roofies

Stimulants

Stimulants are sometimes prescribed by doctors to treat conditions such as asthma, respiratory problems, obesity, attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and sleep disorders like narcolepsy.

Examples:

  • Amphetamines and dextroamphetamine (Adderall) are stimulant drugs whose effects are similar to cocaine.1
  • Methamphetamine is a highly addictive stimulant drug that is part of a larger family of amphetamines.2
  • Methylphenidate (Ritalin) is a central nervous system stimulant. It has effects similar to, but stronger than, caffeine and less potent than amphetamines.

Why they are taken by teens: In the hands of teens, stimulants are taken to stay awake, increase alertness and concentration, boost energy and get high. Sometimes teens go beyond swallowing these pills. If they are prescribed drugs for ADHD, they can save up their pills during the week and share them with friends at weekend parties. They then crush and snort them, or mix with alcohol. Teens also report saving and selling their own ADD drugs around exam time.

Side effects and symptoms:

  • Dilated pupils
  • Decreased appetite
  • Loss of coordination
  • Collapse
  • Increased heart and respiratory rates
  • Elevated blood pressure
  • Dizziness
  • Tremors
  • Headache
  • Flushed skin
  • Chest pain with palpitations
  • Excessive sweating
  • Vomiting
  • Abdominal cramps
  • Feelings of restlessness
  • Anxiety
  • Delusions
  • Hostility and aggression
  • Panic
  • Suicidal or homicidal tendencies
  • Paranoia, often accompanied by auditory and visual hallucinations
  • Death preceded by high fever, convulsions and heart failure.3

Street names: Ritz, rippers, dexies and bennies

Over-the-Counter Drugs

It is a common mistake to believe that prescription drugs are far more dangerous than and powerful than over the counter drugs. It’s very possible to abuse and become addicted to over-the-counter (OTC) medications, too. Teens are abusing over-the-counter (OTC) drugs, such as cough and cold remedies, to get high.

Medical uses: Many OTC drugs that are intended to treat headaches, sinus pressure, or cold/flu symptoms

Examples: Dextromethorphan (DXM) is found in some OTC cough medicines. When someone takes the number of teaspoons or tablets that are recommended, it suppresses coughing. But high doses can cause problems with the senses (especially vision and hearing) and can lead to confusion, stomach pain, numbness and even hallucinations.

Why they are taken by teens: The OTC drugs used to treat headaches, sinus pressure or cold/flu symptoms contain the active ingredient dextromethorphan (DXM). OTC drugs with DXM are used by teens to get high because they are widely available. When taken in high doses, DXM can produce a “high” feeling and can be extremely dangerous in excessive amounts. DXM is found in more than 120 non-prescription cough and cold remedies.1 A recent study found that 6% of 12th graders reported past year abuse of cough or cold medicines to get high.2 That amounts to about one in every 16 high school seniors.

How they are taken: Teens take large doses to get high, sometimes mixing these drugs with prescription drugs, street drugs or alcohol. Some teens crush pills and snort them.

Side effects and symptoms

  • Impaired judgment
  • Nausea
  • Loss of coordination
  • Headache
  • Vomiting
  • Loss of consciousness
  • Numbness of fingers and toes
  • Abdominal pain
  • Irregular heartbeat
  • Aches
  • Seizures
  • Panic attacks
  • Psychosis
  • Euphoria
  • Cold flashes
  • Dizziness
  • Diarrhea
  • Addiction
  • Restlessness
  • Insomnia
  • High-blood pressure
  • Coma
  • Death

Street names: Candy, C-C-C, Dex, DM, Drex, Red Devils, Robo, Rojo, Skittles, Tussin, Velvet, Vitamin D

Are you addicted?

There are many signs that signal addiction: most commonly feeling the need to have a particular drug or substance. Changes in mood, weight or interests are other signs of drug addiction.

If you think you, a loved one or friend may be addicted to prescription drugs, talk to your parents, doctor, school counselor or nurse. Any of these people can get you the help you need. It’s very important to seek treatment because withdrawal can be dangerous when it’s not monitored.

1 Over-the-Counter Drug Abuse, TeenDrugAbuse.us, Teen Help LLC 2 Monitoring the Future Survey, the University of Michigan, 2007