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Michael Jackson, prescription drug abuse, and your teen
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Many teens do not believe prescription drugs can be fatal.
It is becoming increasingly apparent that Michael Jackson’s prescription drug addiction was the cause of his death. The sad and painful reality is that his prescription drug addiction has a long and intense history. Perhaps the rest of us can recognize and utilize Jackson’s story as the national wake up call that it is.
Sometimes it takes celebrity power to bring much needed focus on a long-ignored concern. Sometimes it even takes a sensationalized celebrity death such as Michael Jackson’s to turn the spotlight on a danger ever-growing in the shadows. Such is the case with prescription drug abuse. According to the Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP), “prescription drugs account for the second most commonly abused category of drugs, behind marijuana and ahead of cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine, and other drugs.”
A 2006 National Survey on Drug Use disclosed that 16.2 million Americans aged 12 and older had taken a prescription pain reliever, tranquilizer, stimulant, or sedative for non-medical purposes at least once in the prior year prior; and up to 7 million people aged 12 or older, had used prescription medications for non-medical purposes in the month prior to the survey.
Adult prescription drug abuse usually stems from over-use and addiction to prescription drugs originally prescribed for a medical condition. Adult addiction is recognizable if you know what to look for. Often serious abusers exhibit the following symptoms and behaviors:
- Chronic pain or multiple injuries over time requiring a continuous supply of medication;
- Asking others for their left-over medications;
- Often taking family members’ prescriptions;
- Use of multiple physicians and pharmacies to cover up the amount and frequency of prescription medication use;
- Past history of other addictive behaviors, like alcoholism;
- Feigning physical or psychological problems;
- Having dramatic and compelling but vague complaints;
- Unconcerned with a diagnosis or keeping up with treatment in addition to the medication (i.e., missing appointments for x-rays, laboratory tests, or follow-up with another physician); and
- Rejection of all forms of treatment other than medication.
(List taken in part from http://www.management-issues.com/2006/5/25/opinion/warning-signs-for-prescription-drug-addictions.asp.)
Teen prescription abuse tends to have a different face. The majority of teens misuse prescription drugs in order to get high. High schoolers and young adults also abuse drugs associated with ADD and ADHD like Adderall and other stimulants in order to enhance their ability to study or work. Teens who are misusing drugs may exhibit the following symptoms and behaviors*:
- Lying
- Making excuses;
- Breaking curfew;
- Staying in their room;
- Becoming verbally or physically abusive toward others;
- Having items in their possession that are connected to drug use (paraphernalia);
- The smell of drugs (for example, solvent smell of inhalants, marijuana smell) on them; Mood swings;
- Stealing; and
- Changes in friends.
According to ONDCP, teens surveyed found prescription drugs readily available from home, friends, school, grandparents and other relatives, pharmacies and online prescription drug sites
One of the best preventative measures in the fight against teen prescription drug abuse is parental awareness. Proactive parents are a vital line of defense.
Click HERE to see, 'Five Effective Actions Parents Can Take to Prevent Prescription Drug Abuse'.
Click HERE to take the “Anti-Drug Tour” to see how you can safeguard your teen and your prescription drugs.
Click HERE to inform yourself about the growing threat of teen over-the-counter drug abuse
*Quoted from MedicineNet.com
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