Prescription Medications Shared by One-Third of Americans, Contributing To Drug Addiction

Prescription drugs are dispensed by doctors for specific ailments, and in most cases the patient has to follow specific guidelines to prevent ill effects.

What happens when a friend asks for some of that pain reliever that is left over?

“Studies show that 34% of Americans share their prescription medications,” comments Mary Rieser, Atlanta Recovery Center Drug Rehab. “This is often without regard for side effects or mixing these drugs with others that can be fatal.”

Americans frequently share prescription medications, according to a survey of a convenience sample of 700 people in 10 cities across the United States.

Thirty-four percent of the respondents reported sharing prescription medications in the past year, either by loaning their medications to someone else (7%), borrowing medications from someone else (11%), or both (16%).

The types of medications most frequently shared were allergy medications (25%), pain medications (22%), and antibiotics (21%; see figure below).

According to the authors, these findings suggest that “a large number of individuals are at risk for loss of warnings and instructions, reduced likelihood of appropriate use and compliance, and numerous related consequences, including reduced care seeking, increased perceptions of ineffective treatment, increased antibiotic resistance, and increased risk of side effects.”

“Don’t share medications,” comments Ms. Rieser. “Prescription medication abuse can lead to dependency, drug addiction, and even death.

*Source:  Center for Substance Abuse Research, University of Maryland, College Park

For more information on drug rehab or if you know someone who needs help, contact Atlanta Recovery Center Drug Rehab at 1-877-413-3073.

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