Prescription Drug Misuse
Source: MedlinePlus Health Topics, U.S. National Library of Medicine
What is prescription drug misuse? If you take a medicine in a different way than your health care provider prescribed, it's called prescription drug misuse. It could be: Taking medicine prescribed for someone else. Taking a larger dose than you are supposed to. Taking the medicine in a different way than you are supposed to. For example, instead of swallowing your tablets, you might crush them and then snort or inject them. Using the medicine for another purpose, such as getting high. Misusing some prescription drugs can lead to addiction . These include opioids , sedatives, tranquilizers, and stimulants. Drug addiction is a chronic brain disease. It causes a person to take drugs repeatedly despite the harm they cause. Who is at risk for prescription drug misuse? Prescription drug misuse can affect anyone at any age, including teenagers and older adults. It can happen if you need certain medicines to treat a medical condition, reduce pain after an injury or surgery, or for chronic pain . Risk factors can include: A lack of knowledge about the prescription drug and possible risks A previous addiction to other substances, including alcohol and tobacco Certain mental health conditions What are the risks of prescription drug misuse? Prescription drug misuse can have serious medical consequences. Every medicine has some risk of side effects, which providers think about when prescribing medicines. People who misuse these drugs may not know the risks. Some medicines may not be safe for them, especially at higher doses or when taken with other medicines. What are treatments for prescription drug misuse? Treatment for prescription drug misuse often includes medicines and counseling, but it depends on the type of drug and your needs. The counseling may be individual, family, and/or group therapy. It can help you: Understand why prescription drug misuse began Learn how to change unhealthy patterns of thinking and behavior Manage personal problems and develop positive relations