The problem with teens abusing prescription drugs is growing at an alarming rate. According to the latest numbers available from the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), approximately 8 percent of teens between 12 and 17 experimented with prescription drugs on a recreational level. But what are the important components that make prescription drug addiction seemingly ‘ok’ for so many teenagers?

Availability

For many parents that have teenagers, it is quite normal for that parent to lecture their children about having to stay out of their liquor cabinet, yet few parents are concerned about locking their medicine cabinet. Part of the reason that prescription drug addiction is increasing at an alarming rate is because drugs are simply available. Of course, if they cannot get prescription medication from home, there is likely to be someone in their social circle that has knowledge on how to get their hands on them.

A Lack Of Understanding

Even though the part of the brain that perceives consequences to their actions is not fully developed yet for most teenagers (their pre-fontal cortex) it does not mean that teens are stupid. If they are aware that something could be genuinely harmful to them, they are much less likely to use or do it. Reaching into the medicine cabinet and grabbing something out of a bottle, prescribed by a doctor no less, certainly does not seem as illegal or dangerous as having to buy drugs from someone on the streets that they do not know. It is the casual approach that our society has taken to prescription medication in the past decade that is sending a clear message. The message is that prescription medication is not on the “same level” as those other, dangerous drugs.

Why Are Teens Using Prescription Medication?

Interestingly enough, there are different reasons that teens use prescription drugs – and they tend to differ between boys and girls. When looking at the reason that most boys tend to use prescription medication; they use them to get a high. Most of the teenage girls that use prescription medication use it to stay alert so they can focus on schoolwork. While this is obviously not an exact science, it may be beneficial for parents to know what to look out for.

What Are The Problems?

Some teenagers simply do not understand what the big deal is with using prescription drugs. After all, if they are safe to use by their friends, parents, and acquaintances, why wouldn’t they also be safe for them to use? There are several reasons:

Withdrawal – taking the same type of drug may result in physical dependence. This is different from addiction and may be hard to understand for teenagers. With physical dependence, the body is now accustomed to having that particular drug present. If you suddenly stop taking the drug (which may happen due to limited availability or limited funds), the body could have withdrawal symptoms. This is why a physician who writes a prescription is always clear on when to start and stop taking prescription medication. With proper medical supervision, the symptoms could possibly be avoided, or at the very least diminished or controlled.

Addiction - One of the reasons that most people that take prescription medication for a medical condition do not become addicted to these medications is because they take them in safe forms and dosages. Instead of making the person feel ‘high’, it compensates for a preexisting condition or problem. Yet it is very possible for the functionality of our brain to be affected by prescription medication, especially when taken in large doses or repeatedly. If we damage our brain’s reward system, it could lead to addiction.

Side Effects – You only have to look at any prescription medication bottle or box and you instantly know that there can be many side effects to prescription drugs. There are many different things that a physician takes into account when prescribing medication (experience with the drug, weight, and other substances taken). When not taking medication as prescribed, side effects may be much worse than they otherwise would be. The side effects could be dangerous, and in some instances even fatal.

Dosage -  Physicians know how long it takes for a drug to become active, they know what other medications you are taking, and they know what other substances may be risky to take when using that particular medication. When you are using prescription drugs in a way that was not intended to be used, or simply take too much of it, the result could be an overdose.

Resolving The Problem

Part of the problem is that we live in a society where it has become the standard that we receive medication to suppress any problem. Many Americans are medicated around-the-clock. We are viewing prescription drugs as something to make our lives better and happier, not something that treats medical problems.

There are two steps to resolving the problem. The first step has to be education. We are spending an almost ludicrous amount of money on persuading teens to stay away from marihuana, however, have yet to see a single overdose on that drug. Meanwhile, prescription opioids are becoming a genuine problem but we are not informing teens of the dangers of abusing them. Some may say that the difference is that the pharmaceutical companies are worried that they will suffer a backlash. Nevertheless, what is clear is that teens need to be made aware of the dangers of taking prescription medication that are not meant for them – just because these medications are safe for someone else does not mean that they are safe for another.

Secondly, the casual attitude towards prescription medication needs to change. We should not rely on medication for every small problem when other alternatives are available. When someone hurts their back, why is that they are automatically put on prescription opioids? Instead of dealing with what is bothering us, people are put on antidepressants. The entire nation has become too prescription happy, and until that changes, why should we expect the attitude of teenagers throughout America to change?