Prescription drug abuse is the use of prescription drugs in ways not intended by the prescribing doctor. Most commonly this is the use of painkillers, sedatives and stimulants. However, prescription drug abuse includes everything from snorting ground up pills to taking a friend’s prescription painkillers to get high.

In 2007, a survey was conducted for the National Institute on Drug Abuse. According to this survey, more than 15% of U.S. high school seniors have abused prescription drugs.  The most popular prescriptions used to get high were codeine-based painkillers, such as oxycodone (Oxycontin) and those containing hydrocodone (vicodin).

It rarely exists that prescription drug abuse happens in people who actually need these medications to treat specific pain and or health problems. Painkillers, sedatives, and stimulants are used to treat an array of physical conditions. This makes it difficult for doctors and pharmacists to distinguish between a person that needs a larger dose to control their pain and a person who is abusing the prescribed painkiller.

The following are warning signs of prescription drug abuse. Patients constantly "losing" their prescriptions so more prescriptions have to be written. Patients seeking prescriptions from more than one doctor. Despite warnings, patients are taking higher doses. Patients stealing, forging or selling prescriptions and excessive mood swings.  

If you or someone you know is having problems with prescription drug abuse, please contact us now.  We are here to help you through the addiction and find a drug-free life.