The abuse of prescription drugs has become an increasing problem in the United States since the 1990’s.  The illegal use of prescription opioids, which include hydrocodone (Vicodin), oxycodone (OxyContin), propoxyphene (Darvon), hydromorphone (Dilaudid), meperidine (Demerol), and diphenoxylate (Lomotil), has increased from 600,000 in 1990 to more than 5.2 million abusers in 2006.  Who is a prescription drug abuser?  A prescription drug abuser is anyone who takes prescription medication that is not prescribed for them or takes it for reasons or in doses other than as prescribed.

In order to avoid becoming a statistic it’s important to realize when abuse may be a problem.  Taking a pill in order to get the ‘high’ associated with it or when there are no pain symptoms is prescription drug abuse.  Taking more medication than is prescribed is also considered abuse.  As noted above, prescription drug abuse has become a serious problem and detecting and admitting a problem is the first steps towards a cure.  

Early detection and treatment of prescription drug abuse is also vital to avoiding the abuse of more serious drugs to include heroin and cocaine.  A recent survey found that prescription drug abuse plays the role of a “gateway” drug – a drug that leads to the abuse of other substances.  As many as four out of five prescription drug abusers will move on to abuse heroine because it’s more cost effective and produces a similar high. Avoiding prescription drug abuse is ideal but putting an end to it before it becomes an addiction can end up saving a life.