When it comes to drug abuse illegal street drugs are not the only problem. Prescription drugs are often abused and can lead to addiction as well. Some of the most commonly abused prescription medications include:
- Hydrocodone
- Codeine
- Fentanyl
- Valium
- Morphine
- Xanax
- Ritalin
- Lunesta
- Adderall
- Ambien
A common misconception is that if the drug is prescribed to the user then it can not be abused and there is no risk of addiction. This is completely false. Any time a prescribed medication is taken outside of the directed use then it is being abused, and addiction can occur. This means taking the medication more often than directed, in larger doses than directed, taking any prescribed medication that is given to someone else, or even taking the drug if it is not needed.
According to scientific studies one in five individuals over the age of 12 in the USA has abused a prescription medication or used one of these drugs for a purpose that it was not prescribed for. Prescription drug abuse has become an epidemic in the United States and this is responsible for many deaths each year. Often the user thinks that a drug is harmless because the doctor prescribed it, and this is especially true with younger individuals. The incidents of skittles parties has been increasing, and the common trend is for teens to raid their home drug cabinets and throw all of the drugs found in a large bowl. Party attendees grab a handful of the multicolored contents without even knowing what they are taking.
