Gail Gilman, Family Life Consultant, M.Ed., C.F.C.S. and Professor
Emeritus, University of Minnesota
Prescription drugs help millions of people live longer and healthier lives.
If you do not take your medicines as directed, or if you take someone else’s
medications, the results can be deadly. Unfortunately, prescription drug
abuse is all too common in the United States.
Misuse of prescription medications affects people of all ages and races.
Medication abuse can affect ordinary people as well as celebrities. A
survey found that about 1 in 5 people ages 12 and up said they had taken a
prescription drug for nonmedical purposes at least once in their lifetimes.
People abuse prescription drugs for many reasons, including to get high,
lose weight or build muscle but this abuse carries a serious risk of
addiction. And it can lead to other health problems, including irregular
heartbeats, seizures, breathing problems, and personality changes. Car
accidents and physical injury are other concerns.
There is a myth that prescription drugs are safe because they come from a
drugstore, but when people take them outside of a doctor’s supervision, they
can be dangerous to our health. A dose that is perfectly safe for one
person who’s taken the drug for a long time may be potentially lethal for
another. And when you combine drugs with other substances, like alcohol,
you are taking a significant risk.
The three categories of drugs most commonly abused are stimulants,
depressants, and painkillers. Stimulants are often prescribed to treat
attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. Depressants are used to treat
anxiety, panic attacks, and sleep disorders. When taken exactly as
prescribed, prescription painkillers can effectively manage pain and rarely
cause addiction.
Studies continue to learn more about prescription drug abuse and who is at
risk for addiction and to develop better treatments for pain that might be
less addictive or less likely to be abused.
If you have prescription medications, take them exactly as directed. If you
have prescriptions for commonly abused drugs, maintain control of them so
they do not tempt visitors. Many people who are abusing prescription drugs
are not getting them directly from physicians. In many cases, the drugs are
obtained from family or friends who have prescriptions.
Make sure to use prescription medications the right way, just as the doctor
ordered.
Take Your Medications Properly
* Always follow prescribed directions. Read all the information
provided by the pharmacist.
* Never stop taking or change your medication doses without first
discussing it with your doctor.
* Be aware of potential interactions with other drugs. Tell your
healthcare professional about all the medications and dietary and herbal
supplements you are taking.
* Never use someone else’s prescription.
* Safeguard medications by keeping track of how much you have and
safely disposing of drugs you do not need.
Watch for more Family Living Focus information from Gail Gilman, Family Life
Consultant, M.Ed., C.F.C.S. and Professor Emeritus – University of Minnesota
in next week’s paper.