Adolescent Prescription and Over-the-counter Drug Abuse: The Truth About Abusing Over-the-counter and Prescription Medications (YF1857, Aug. 2018)
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After marijuana and alcohol, prescription and over-the-counter (OTC) drugs are the most commonly abused substances by Americans 14 and older. 1,756 teens abuse a prescription drug for the first time every day.
Medicine Abuse Project, 2013
What is Prescription/OTC Drug Abuse?
- Taking a prescription/OTC drug not prescribed to you
- Taking it in a way other than prescribed (larger dose)
- Taking it for another purpose than prescribed (to “get high”)
- Mixing a prescription/OTC drug with other drugs (alcohol)
Myth: Taking an extra pill from my prescription or giving one to my friend is not harmful because a doctor prescribed it.
Fact: Taking drugs that are not prescribed or taking them in any way other than a doctor directs can be dangerous.
Using another person’s medication or sharing your medication is against the law. – N.D. Century Code 19-03. 1-23.
Myth: Prescription and OTC drugs are safer than illegal drugs.
Fact: Prescription and OTC drugs can be more addictive and dangerous than illegal drugs. Users are at risk for adverse health effects and overdose. Legal does not mean safe.
Why Do Youth Abuse?
- Feel good or “get high”
- Relieve or stop pain
- Help with school work
- Reduce appetite
- Experiment
- Relax/reduce stress
- Escape reality
- Fall asleep or stay awake
- Feel accepted by others
- Feed an addiction
Early substance abuse is associated with a greater likelihood of developing a substance use disorder later in life.
Most youth who abuse prescription drugs get them for free from a friend or relative, sometimes without the person’s knowledge.
Warning Signs of Abuse
- Missing medications
- Continually “losing” prescriptions
- Negative performance at school or work
- Changes in hobbies or interests
- Visits to internet sites with information on how to get and abuse prescription/OTC drugs to “get high”
- Disrupted sleeping/eating patterns
- Changes in friends
- Changes in appearance and hygiene
- Withdrawal from family and friends
- Excessive mood swings (irritability)
59.7%
Widely Available: In North Dakota, the number of controlled substance prescriptions dispensed increased 59.7 percent between 2008 (935,201) and 2015 (1,493,847).
Commonly Abused Prescription/OTC Drugs
Category |
Purpose |
Generic Names |
Commercial Names (common) |
Street/Slang Names |
Signs of Abuse |
Opioids |
Relieve pain |
codeine morphine methadone oxycodone HCL hydrocodone fentanyl other |
Tylenol with Codeine Roxanol, Duramorph Methadose, Dolophine OxyContin, Percocet, Tylox Vicodin, Norco, Lortab, Lorcet Actiq, Duragesic, Sublimaze Dilaudid, Demerol, Pana |
Captain Cody, Lean, Sizzurp M, Miss Emma, Monkey Amidone, Fizzies Oxy, Hillbilly Heroin, Percs Vike, Vics, Watson-387 Apache, China Girl, TNT Juice, Demmies, Biscuits |
Euphoria, drowsiness, sedation, weakness, dizziness, nausea, impaired coordination, confusion, dry mouth, itching, sweating, constipation, slowed breathing. Risk of death increases when combined with alcohol or other depressants. Oxycodone is |
Depressants |
Relieve anxiety or sleep issues |
barbiturates benzodiazepines sleep medications |
Amytal, Nembutal, Seconal Ativan, Valium, Xanax, Klonopin Ambien, Sonata, Lunesta |
Barbs, Reds, Phennies Candy, Downers, Tranks Roofies, Forget-me Pill, R2 |
Euphoria, excitement, fever, irritability Drowsiness, slurred speech, poor concentration, confusion, dizziness |
Stimulants |
Treat ADHD, narcolepsy, or obesity |
amphetamine methylphenidate phentermine other |
Adderall, Dexedrine Concerta, Ritalin AdipexP, Lonamine Belviq, Contrave, Saxenda |
Addys, Dexies, Uppers JIF, MPH, Vitamin R, Skippy Speed, Pep Pills, Zing, Diet Coke |
Feelings of exhilaration, increased energy, mental alertness, weight loss, nervousness, insomnia, irregular heartbeat, seizures, psychosis, anger, paranoia, irritability |
Anabolic |
Hormone therapy |
nandrolone oxandrolone |
Oxandrin Anadrol |
Juice, Gym Candy, Pumpers, Roids, Gear, Stackers |
Acne, fluid retention, aggression, mood swings, extreme irritability, delusions, stunted growth |
Over-the- |
Relieve cough/cold Relieve diarrhea |
dextromethorphan (DXM) loperamide hydrochloride |
Brand names include “DM” (Robitussin, Mucinex, etc.) Imodium |
Robotripping, Robo, Triple-C, Dex, Tussin, Purple Drank The Poor Man’s Methadone |
Euphoria, slurred speech, increased heart rate, dizziness, nausea, paranoia Euphoria, fainting, stomach pain, constipation, pupil dilation, kidney failure, heart attack |
2017 North Dakota High School Youth Risk Behavior Survey
Reported substance use one or more times in life:
Proper Disposal
Reducing Access Will Reduce Abuse
North Dakota is the only state offering two free programs to dispose of unwanted medications year-round: the Take Back program at participating law enforcement agencies and the MedSafe program at participating pharmacies. More than 11 tons of unused medications have been collected from the Take Back containers. Visit takeback.nd.gov to find a location near you. Do not flush prescription drugs down the toilet or drain unless the label instructs to do so. Proper disposal is important.
North Dakota Fast Facts
- More high school students have abused prescription and OTC medications (21.7 percent) than have used synthetic drugs, cocaine, ecstasy and heroin combined (14.6 percent).
- 4.3 percent of middle school students and 14.4 percent of high school students reported using prescription drugs without a doctor’s prescription (OxyContin, Percocet, Vicodin, Codeine, Adderall, Ritalin or Xanax).
- 1.8 percent of middle school students and 7.3 percent of high school students reported taking OTC drugs to “get high.”
- Nonmedical use of pain relievers is highest among 18- to 25-year-olds.
ND Prevention Resource & Media Center, 2017
Prevention Strategies for Caring Adults/Parents
o Take inventory of all prescriptions and secure them in a locked area.
o Talk to youth about the risks of abuse.
o Keep communication open.
o Monitor and supervise youth.
o Keep updated and informed on the latest prescription/OTC drug trends.
o Call 1-855-378-4373 (Partnership for Drug Free Kids) for confidential support for your family.
ND Prevention Resource & Media Center, 2017
Fentanyl-laced Prescriptions
Fentanyl is an extremely potent synthetic opioid 50 to 100 times stronger than heroin. Fentanyl is being found in counterfeit pills made to look like prescription pain relievers or sedatives. Those who use laced prescription drugs are at a much higher risk of overdose and death. Because of its high potency, fentanyl is deadly in very small doses; a lethal dose can be inhaled or absorbed accidentally through skin contact. Drugs obtained on the street, even if they look like a real prescription, may be fatal.
References
Medicine Abuse Project (2013)
North Dakota Attorney General (2018)
North Dakota Prevention Resource & Media Center (2017)
North Dakota Youth Risk Behavior Survey (2017)
National Institute on Drug Abuse (2018)