Trends in Adolescent Prescription Drug (Rx) Abuse
Where Do Teenagers Get Prescription Drugs?
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Trends in Adolescent Prescription Drug Abuse
Painkillers are drugs commonly prescribed for pain and are only legally available by prescription. Painkiller abuse can be dangerous, even deadly, with too high a dose or when taken with other drugs, like alcohol.
Brand names include: Vicodin, Tylenol with Codeine, OxyContin, and Percocet.
Depressants, or downers, are prescribed to treat a variety of health conditions including anxiety and panic attacks, tension, severe stress reactions, and sleep disorders. Also referred to as sedatives and tranquilizers, depressants can slow normal brain function.
Brand names include: Klonopin, Nembutal, Soma, Ambien, Valium, and Xanax.
Stimulants, or uppers, are most commonly prescribed for attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), but they are also used to treat a variety of conditions such as asthma, respiratory problems, obesity, and sleep disorders such as narcolepsy. When taken in higher doses, these drugs can produce euphoric effects and counteract sluggish feelings.
Brand names include: Concerta, Dexedrine, and Ritalin.
Steroids are used to medically treat people with abnormally low testosterone levels or symptoms of body wasting, as is the case with cancer patients. Abuse of steroids is often related to physical appearance, such as a desire to build muscle or change body shape.