News / Education
Abusing Prescription Pain Relievers: Addiction Doesn’t Stop At Medicine Cabinet
Nearly One-Half of Youths Who Have Ever Misused Prescription Pain Relievers Have Also Used Two or More Illicit Drugs
The Center for Substance Abuse in the University of Maryland, College Park, reported that one in ten U.S. youths from ages 12 to 17 have used non-prescribed pain relievers at least once in their lifetime.
“This is an alarming trend,” comments Mary Rieser, Executive Director for Narconon Drug Rehab in Georgia. “Studies have shown that drug abuse and alcohol use in younger years definitely pre-disposes young minds and bodies to drug addiction in later years. The younger a person starts abusing drugs, the easier it is for them to become drug addicted. This is not a way to start a life.”
The Center for Substance Abuse also stated that these youths were significantly more likely than those who did not use non-prescribed pain relievers to also report poly-drug use.
For example, 49% of youths who used non-prescribed pain relievers also reported using two or more illicit drugs at least once in their lifetime, compared to 4% of youths who did not use non-prescribed pain relievers. Previous research has found a similar relationship between non-medical use of prescription stimulants and use of other illicit drugs.
Illicit drugs included marijuana, inhalants, hallucinogens, tranquilizers (non-prescribed use), stimulants (non-prescribed use), cocaine/crack, sedatives (non-prescribed use), and heroin.
“We need to be alert as parents, teachers, mentors, or friends,” comments Ms. Rieser. “Teach your kids that any drug abuse is bad. Just because it is medication does not make it less dangerous if abused. Talk to the young people in your life. Don’t let them fall into the trap of drug addiction. Let them have a good life.”
Call Narconon Drug Rehab 1-877-413-3073 for more information on effective drug treatment or drug education.
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