It is a natural response to look for something to ease feelings of emotional pain, but many people fall prey to addiction, as they seek a way to dull unwanted feelings or emotions. Emotional pain can be related to memories of physical, sexual or emotional abuse by a loved one or family member. It can involve feelings of inadequacy, loneliness, anger or unease.
No one plans on becoming addicted to prescription or illegal drugs, but it is happening at much earlier ages. Nearly 8 percent of young people between the ages of 12 to 17 reported using prescription drugs for nonmedical reasons in 2010 according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA). This may be why the number of adolescents and young adults coming to rehab is much larger than even five years ago.
Kids start using prescription drugs for the same reasons adults do. They want to fit in with peers or numb unwanted feelings. They turn to prescription medications instead of street drugs, because there is a perception that these substances are “safe.”
There are plenty of prescription medications to choose from, and these include the following:
Enough prescription painkillers were prescribed in 2010 to medicate every American adult around-the-clock for a month according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). This is why parents need to remain vigilant. Keep drugs locked up at home, talk to your kids about various types of drug abuse and don’t be casual about your own use of prescription medications. If you do discover a problem in your teen, get professional help.
If you or someone you love needs treatment for an addiction, call La Paloma at the toll-free number on our homepage. Someone is there to take your call 24 hours a day and answer any questions you have about treatment, financing or insurance.
