Misuse and Abuse of Medications
Taken in combination with other drugs or alcohol, all prescription or over-the-counter
medications that are generally “safe” can cause death or serious long-term consequences.
Common misuses of drugs that many people don’t consider include taking an over-the-counter
medicine without being aware of its negative reaction with a prescription, or taking
more than the recommendation dosage under the false impression that “more is better.”
According to the National Council on Patient Information and Education, one-third
of adults in the United States have taken more than the recommended dosage of a
non-prescription medication. Sometimes the misuse is a deliberate attempt to get
high.
Youth and Teens Medication Abuse
Prescription medication abuse by teens and young adults is a growing problem in
the U.S. According to the Partnership for a Drug Free America, one in five teens
abused a prescription pain medication. Kids as young as 12 years old are using prescription
medications to get high. Pharmaceuticals are often more available to 12 year olds
than illicit drugs because they can be taken from the home medicine cabinet. Also,
pills may have a perception of safety because they are professionally manufactured
in a lab, prescribed by doctors and easy to take.
Four main types of prescription medications are commonly abused: pain relievers,
stimulants, sedatives and tranquilizers.
Cough medicine abuse among youth and teens is also a growing problem – some researchers
estimate that more than 2 million teens in the U.S. are abusing this substance.
Whether in syrup, tablet or gel form, cough syrup contains dextromethorphan (DXM)
which, when consumed in extremely large doses, can cause a high. Side effects of
cough syrup abuse can include confusion, dizziness, double or blurred vision, slurred
speech, loss of physical coordination, abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting, rapid
heart beat, drowsiness, numbness of fingers and toes, and disorientation.
To help prevent abuse of both prescription and non-prescription medications:
- Know what medicines are in the home and pay attention to their quantities
- Keep medications out of reach by children and in locations less accessible than
medicine cabinets
- Explain to youths and teens the dangers of medication abuse
- Know the signs of medication abuse
- If medication is necessary during school hours, notify school officials
Older Adult Medication Misuse
According to the American Society on Aging, people older than 65 represent 13 percent
of the U.S. population but use about 30 percent of all prescription drugs and 40
percent of non-prescription medications. An estimated 40 percent of this population
takes five or more different medications per week.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that up to 34 percent of
older adults have trouble seeing and more than 80 percent have trouble hearing.
This can adversely impact older adults’ ability to understand a doctor’s instructions
and warnings about medications, read the medication labels and/or differentiate
between pills.
To help reduce the risk of accidental misuse of medications:
- Keep a current list of all medications being taken, including over-the-counter and
herbal products
- Review the list with all of an individual’s healthcare providers
- Understand what each medication is for and how it should be used, including whether
it should be taken with or without food
- Turn on the lights before taking medication and wear eyeglasses, if applicable
- Never take someone else’s medication
- Take all medication as prescribed and properly dispose of expired medications
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