Prescription Drug Abuse

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Prescription drug abuse is not a new problem within our society. Prescription drug abuse has in fact been an ongoing problem that is currently spinning out of control. There are many people within our society that are currently dealing with prescription drug addiction. Prescription drug abuse is the intentional use of a medication without a prescription; in a way other than as prescribed; or for the experience or feeling it causes (The Science of Drug Abuse & Addiction, 2014). Prescription drugs are developed to assist with various medical problems, and when prescribed by a medical professional are helpful for patients. The using prescriptions for those other than intended for may cause a number of serious issues
Prescription opiates are commonly known as painkillers. Opiates are derived from opium or synthetic versions of it and used to assist with pain relief (National Association of Boards of Pharmacy, 2014). The most common opiates include Vicodin (hydrocodone), Percocet, OxyContin, Oxycodone, Fentanyl, and Codeine (Coalition against Drug Abuse, 2014). Opiates are known to work by binding to the receptors in the brain to decrease the perception of pain (Coalition against Drug Abuse, 2014). There are many side effects associated with using prescription opiates and they can include drowsiness, shakiness, queasiness or vomiting, constipation, physical dependence, tolerance, and respiratory depression (The Science of Drug Abuse & Addiction, 2014).
Opioids usually come in the form of a pill. Those who abuse opioids often take a medication that was not prescribed to them, they often consume in larger doses than are normally prescribed and/or they consume them along with alcohol and other drugs. Some addicts crush the pill...

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... to step in and help the drug offenders instead of placing them on probation and placing them back into the same environment. Things always seem to get worse before they get better, and hopefully we are going to see the uphill climb soon.

Works Cited

Coalition against Drug Abuse. (2014, January 16). Coalition against Drug Abuse. Retrieved from Drug Abuse: http://drugabuse.com/library/symptoms-and-signs-of-drug-abuse/
National Association of Boards of Pharmacy. (2014, March 12). NABP National Association of Boards of Pharmacy. Retrieved from NABP National Association of Boards of Pharmacy: https://www.nabp.net/news/prescribers-can-play-important-role-in-reducing-painkiller-overdose-cdc-reports
The Science of Drug Abuse & Addiction. (2014, March 26). National Institute on Drug Abuse. Retrieved from NIH - National Institute on Drug Abuse: http://www.drugabuse.gov/

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