Prescription Addiction

Why teens abuseprescription meds.

By Colin Allen, published on January 01, 2003 - last reviewed on August 18, 2004

The number of teenagers and young adults abusing prescription drugs is on the rise, according to a government report released on January 16, 2003. Nearly 3 million people aged 12 to 17 used prescription drugs for reasons other than their intended purpose, and 7 million young adults aged 18 to 25 did the same. The report also suggests that the number of new users has been climbing since the mid-1980s, the largest increase occurring with the depressants oxycodone, methadone and morphine.

Why are more teens abusing their meds? Sandra Davis, Ph.D., who has worked in the field of addiction for 18 years in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, finds that convenience is the largest factor in the decision to use these drugs rather than illegal ones. "The access is easier; it's easier to abuse a prescription drug because you have it." But as Davis also notes, there has been huge increase in the number of teens choosing to do drugs in general.

"Teens might be thinking that a prescription drug is safer," explains Davis. But as with any other drug, abuse is risky. "If you take them in excess they can cause an overdose just as easily as getting bad heroin on the street."

Another risk of abuse comes to the forefront when the bottle runs out. "Doing a prescription drug is how a lot of people start developing addiction," says Davis. "Do they go on to other substances? Frequently."