Prescription Drugs
Street Names: Opioids: OxyContin, Darvon, Vicodin, Dilaudid, Demerol, and Lomotil.
Central nervous system depressants: Valium and Xanax.
Stimulants: Dexedrine and Ritalin. |
Know the Facts
Prescription drugs that are used for nonmedical reasons can alter brain functions and lead to dependence.
Prescription drugs, a category of psychotherapeutics that comprises prescription-type pain relievers, tranquilizers,
stimulants, and sedatives, are among the substances most commonly abused by young people in the United States.
Prescription drugs are readily available and can easily be obtained by teenagers who abuse these drugs to experience
a variety of desired effects. Often these young people are unaware of the serious health risks associated with abusing prescription drugs.
Increasingly, younger adolescents obtain prescription drugs from classmates, friends, and family members, or they steal
the drugs from school medicine dispensaries and from people for whom the drug had been legitimately prescribed.
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Long-term use of opioids or central nervous system depressants can lead to physical dependence and addiction.
Taken in high doses, stimulants can lead to compulsive use, paranoia, dangerously high body temperatures, and irregular heartbeat.
WARNING!
OxyContin - The poor man's heroin.
Several deaths have resulted specifically from the abuse of OxyContin, an extremely addictive prescription drug. OxyContin
and heroin have similar effects; therefore, both drugs are attractive to the same abuser population.
OxyContin is sometimes referred to as "poor man's heroin." OxyContin abusers often chew the tablets or crush the tablets
and snort the powder.
Because oxycodone is water-soluble, crushed tablets can be dissolved in water and the solution injected.
It is easy to overdose on OxyContin and this drug has become trendy among youth, claiming many young lives. Please visit this site:
OXY ABUSE KILLS.
This site provides information on OxyContin and the dangers associated with Oxy abuse.
and bone spasms, insomnia, diarrhea and vomiting, cold flashes with goose bumps (hence the expression "cold turkey"),
kicking movements (hence the expression "kicking the habit"), and other symptoms.
Major withdrawal symptoms peak between 48 and 72 hours after the last dose and subside after about a week.
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Medical conditions may arise during withdrawal, such as extreme dehydration, body chemistry disturbances,
and stress on the cardiovascular system.
Users who are in poor health may need medical help because withdrawal can be fatal.
OTC Drugs
Over-the-counter (OTC) drugs are medications that can be purchased at a pharmacy, grocery, or convenience store without a prescription to treat the symptoms of common colds or pain.
All drugs, including over-the-counter medications, change the body’s function or chemistry from its natural state and can be harmful if they are not taken as directed.
One type of over-the-counter medication that is especially dangerous when abused is Dextromethorphan (DXM), which is found in many types of cough syrup.
There has been increase in cases of poisoning and overdoses related to the abuse of DXM reported to poison control centers nationwide.
Most of these were among 15- and 16-year-olds.
An overdose on over-the-counter drugs can vary greatly, depending on what other drugs they are mixed with, and amount taken.
Some over-the-counter drugs can even cause death if used incorrectly.
References:
U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration and Above the Influence
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