Taking a prescription drug for other than its medical use and in a non-specified dose is referred to as misuse. Taking someone else’s medicine either for a legitimate reason, like pain, or to feel euphoria is also a misuse. The classes of drugs most commonly misused are:
Misuse of prescription drugs can have grave medical consequences. The last 15 years have seen a surge in the misuse of prescription drugs, not only by adults, but also by teens. This has been apparent from the increase in emergency room (ER) visits, admissions for treatment for opioid use disorder (OUD), overdose deaths, and addiction statistics. According to government statistics, there was a five time increase in overdose related deaths in 2016 as compared to 1999.
Misuse or abuse of prescription drugs like CNS depressants, stimulants, and opioids is a major public health concern in the U.S.:
These statistics clearly show that prescription drugs are a preferred drug of abuse for adolescents and teens.
The symptoms of prescription drug abuse depend on the type of drugs misused by a teen.
There are many reasons why teens abuse prescription drugs. Some of these are:
Prescription drug abuse can offset at any age but it mainly starts during teens or young adulthood. Some of the risk factors of prescription drug abuse include:
Parents and guardians need to take an active part in their teens’ lives to identify if they are moving towards opioid use disorder. Some of the steps that can be taken to prevent prescription drug abuse in teens are:
Treatment for prescription drug misuse depends on the type of prescription drug abuse and other related factors such as duration, dose, severity of addiction, etc. Oftentimes, counseling or psychotherapy is an essential part of the treatment. Treatment may also comprise detoxification, addiction medication, and support through recovery.
While a detox helps the body get rid of toxic substances and manage withdrawal symptoms, therapies help uncover any medical or mental condition responsible for substance abuse. They are also beneficial in teaching teens effective life skills that they can use to lead a drug-free life post treatment completion. Help groups after recovery ensure that the teen is supported throughout their recovery and is encouraged to work towards sustaining the same.
What sets ADEONA Healthcare apart is our dedication to design a treatment plan tailored to the teen patient’s needs. Our trained and experienced staff conducts a biopsychosocial assessment that provides our clinicians with a full mental and physical health report of the patient and a blueprint for their individualized treatment plan.
A treatment that fails to address co-occurring disorders leaves a patient – especially a teen –vulnerable to a relapse. Co-occurring disorders is the co-existence of a mental illness and substance use disorder. Our trained clinicians provide our young patients with the right blend of treatment, education, and support. They use wide-ranging evidence-based and alternative therapies including CBT, process group therapy, dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), substance abuse education, brain wellness, art therapy, and yoga to help the teen recover and heal.
ADEONA Healthcare of Rancho San Diego is the leader in treating adolescent mental health issues and its manifestations like substance abuse, and dual diagnosis. For more information on our holistic addiction treatment programs, call our 24/7 helpline (888) 379-9360. You can also chat online with a representative for further assistance.