Prescription drugs are essential for treating various health issues like chronic pain, serious mental health conditions, or during post-operative care. However, addiction to these medications is not uncommon, and it poses a significant public health risk. 

This article will explore the impact of prescription drug misuse on US public health. We’ll explore why so many people become addicted to prescription medications and discuss strategies for addressing this issue on both individual and societal levels, as getting to understand these aspects is crucial for efficiently tackling the broader implications of prescription drug misuse in our communities.

What Are Prescription Drugs?

Prescription drugs are medications you can only get with a doctor’s written instructions. These include medications such as blood pressure tablets, cancer treatments, stronger painkillers, and many other drugs. These drugs are classified in this manner due to the risks associated with their use, how and when they’re taken, and most importantly, their potential for misuse. 

Safe And Unsafe Use Of Prescribed Medicine

When taken as prescribed by medical specialists, these medications can fight a variety of diseases and mental health issues and significantly improve people’s lives. However, if they’re abused or taken contrary to a doctor’s orders, they can also cause major health issues. Because of this, people should use them sensibly to make sure they accomplish their intended goals without causing any health risks.

What Counts As Prescription Drug Misuse?

Prescription drug misuse spans from taking another person’s painkiller for a headache to snorting or injecting pills for a high or surpassing the prescribed dose. This behavior can become compulsive and harmful for the user.

Statistics On The Prescription Drug Misuse

To understand the impact of prescription drug misuse, here are some findings of this US NIDA (National Institute on Drug Abuse) survey, including the statistics on prescription drug misuse for the year 2021: 

• 5.1% (about 14.3 million people) misused any prescription psychotherapeutic drug in the 12 months before taking the survey.
• 1.3% (about 3.7 million people) misused prescription stimulants in the 12 months before taking the survey.
• 1.7% (about 4.9 million people) misused prescription tranquilizers or sedatives in the 12 months before taking the survey.
• 1.4% (about 3.9 million people) misused benzodiazepines in the 12 months before taking the survey.
• 3.1% (about 8.7 million people) misused prescription pain relievers in the 12 months before taking the survey.

We should read these figures with great concern, as they indicate that we are encountering a silent epidemic. Prescription medicines are being abused by millions of people, which presents grave public health problems that shouldn’t be ignored. 

Why Do People Get Addicted To Prescription Drugs?

There are many, many reasons why a person gets addicted to a prescription medication. They include drug overuse, experimental drug use, and losing the ability to function normally without the medication.

Overusing Prescription Drugs

People often unknowingly abuse prescription drugs by taking more than prescribed, especially when they feel reduced relief. This unsupervised and self-initiated introduction of increased doses can build tolerance and dependence and eventually lead to severe addiction. Sticking to prescribed dosages and always consulting with your appointed doctor before doing anything on your own is the key to safely using medications. 

Experiments In Young Adulthood

Prescription drug misuse is pretty popular among young adults in the United States, with 12% of individuals aged 18 to 25 using them for nonmedical purposes. Young people are often more prone to experimentation; peer pressure plays one of the key roles here. Whether at school or in social settings, youngsters may feel pressured by their peers to use drugs to fit in. This pressure can lead to the abovementioned experimentation and misuse of prescription medications as young people seek acceptance and validation from their peers.

Addiction To Feeling “Normal”

Some individuals take prescription drugs for stress or sleep and may start to believe they can’t feel “normal” without them anymore. This cycle, for instance, can be the cause of painkiller dependency.

How To Treat Prescription Drug Misuse

Prescription drug addiction treatment involves a combination of proven, evidence-based methods and new approaches conducted in specialized facilities. These treatment centers offer 24/7 care led by compassionate psychology and drug rehab experts. They tailor treatments to fit each person’s needs. 

At a treatment center, the person first undergoes a medical detox in a safe and medically supervised setting. Then, the patient usually moves into residential inpatient care. This phase introduces them to a supportive environment for therapeutic growth led by therapists, counselors, and psychiatrists, where they learn healthy mechanisms to overcome addiction. This usually involves using methods like cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and motivational counseling. Once this phase is over, individuals have already gradually integrated into a community of like-minded individuals and are able to live an addiction-free life. 

Prescription Drug Misuse Prevention

Criminal justice and healthcare system changes present chances to improve access to preventative and treatment services. The Surgeon General’s Report on Alcohol, Drugs, and Health states that the US can lower the financial cost of drug abuse by enacting evidence-based policies and initiatives, Not only does investing in prevention and treatment improve health and wellness, but it also boosts productivity while reducing criminal justice costs. The report concludes the following: it’s crucial to adopt a public health-based approach that addresses individual, environmental, and societal factors influencing substance misuse.

Conclusion

Prescription drug misuse poses a significant concern to US public health, with far-reaching consequences. Addressing this issue requires a holistic approach that should include evidence-based prevention, quality treatment options, and policy interventions. Only by doing so can we mitigate the impact of prescription drug misuse, promote recovery from addiction, and build a healthier community.

Published by: Nelly Chavez