Misconceptions Of Prescription Drug Abuse

Recent studies show that teen drug and alcohol abuse is falling, while rates of prescription drug abuse  remain the same. This concerning trend could possibly be connected to myths in the community about the realities of prescription drug abuse.

These are five common misconceptions about prescription drug use:

1.) Doctors Avoid Prescribing Drugs that can Lead to Addiction

Patients should never blindly trust what their doctor has prescribed for them. Many people prescribed pain medication have the misconception that the endgame is to completely remove all pain. It is an unfortunate reality that this is not always possible. Pain management is the primary goal of pain medication regimens outlined by doctors. When patients up their dosage in an attempt to completely rid themselves of pain, they run the risk moving past dependency into addiction. Some patients have multiple doctors and can receive prescriptions that interact negatively.

 

2.) Prescription Drugs are Safer than Street Dealt Drugs

Studies show that a majority of teens believe prescriptions are safer than illicit drugs. Unlike street drugs, prescription drugs are regulated – but this does not mean that they are not just as powerful, if not even more powerful than some illegal drugs. Drugs like morphine can be even more debilitating and addictive than heroin – especially when abused.

 

3.) Teens and Drug Addicts Get Their Prescription Pills Off the Street

This is often not the case. Prescription drug addicts are more likely to find their fix in a nearby cabinet than they are to find it on the street. Students can easily get access to prescription stimulants from peers and don’t need to go any further than their circle of friends and acquaintances.

 

4.) Prescription Drugs are More Acceptable Than Illicit Substances

Misusing or taking someone else’s prescription drug is not only unacceptable and dangerous, but also illegal. Many people are unaware that sharing their prescribed drugs is a crime.

 

5.) Prescription Drug Addiction is Less Harmful Than Illicit Drug Addiction

Most prescription pill abusers alter the delivery method of the drug by snorting, chewing, or injecting it in order to get a faster, more intense effect. Many doctors are not trained in recognizing signs of drug abuse such as this in their patients and may not realize the progression of their addiction.

With prescription drug addiction rates remaining the same, it is clear that education about the realities of this issue is a top priority. Holding dangerous misconceptions like these can lead to misinformed decision making. Education is a vital part of any rehabilitation program, and can be integrated at every step of the process. At Florida Recovery Group, we offer several programs for recovering users, ranging from partial hospitalization to job placement.