With the recent celebrity deaths of Heath Ledger, Michael Jackson, and Brittany Murphy and all the controversy over what part possible drug addictions may have played in these deaths, drug addiction and drug treatment programs are in the limelight again. Recent statistics from the US National Institute on Drug Abuse show that meth use is down amongst teens but that proscription drug abuse and marijuana abuse remain high. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse nearly half of all 12th grade students have used some type of illicit drug.
The problem isn't just that they are trying these drugs but that there is a common misbelief that prescription drugs aren't dangerous. Many teens believe that because these are "legal" drugs they are safe and wont cause any major problems. What they don't realize is that these drugs are only "legal" when taken by the person to whom they were prescribed and according to the specific instructions defined by the prescribing physician. Taken by anyone else or under any other circumstances can cause serious, potentially life-threatening, problems.
Part of the reason prescription drugs are becoming the drug of choice amongst teens is because they are so readily available. The majority of teens that have used prescription drugs report getting them from friends or family members, or taking them from a medicine cabinet or purse. Very few actually bought the drugs. Adderall, the drug commonly prescribed for ADHD, has become a big hit amongst teens. Adderall is a type of amphetamine that can cause feelings of exhilaration, increased energy, increased mental alertness, reduced appetite, and weight loss. They can also cause nervousness, irritability, paranoia, aggressiveness, insomnia, and heart failure.
Recent studies show that the U.S. is the leading consumer of painkillers worldwide. The U.S. uses 71% of the world's oxycodone and 99% of the world's hydrocodone, or Vicodin. If you know someone that is abusing any type of drug or if you are worried that you may have an addiction problem, get help now. There are drug treatment centers and drug rehab programs available in every major city nationwide. Don't let this epidemic take your life or the life of someone you love. There is hope and there is help available.
