PharmaWatch

Prescription drug addiction is a serious problem among the American population. Prescription drug abuse is one of the most prevalent forms of drug abuse in America, second only to marijuana abuse among people 12 and older. Since 1998, the proportion of people admitted for substance abuse treatment increased by fourfold, and 12,000 of the nearly 28,000 Americans who died from an unintentional drug poisoning used prescription pain relievers at the time of their death. But how does one prevent prescription drug addiction? There is no foolproof way to stop a loved one from becoming dependent upon prescription drugs, but there are some tips that might help stop someone from becoming irrevocably addicted to medication.

Many of the suggestions that are available are aimed at impressionable youth. In fact, children between 12 and 18 are among the most likely to become addicted to prescription medication; the medication can be pills that they found in their parents' medicine cabinet, or prescription drugs ordered online or acquired from friends. First and foremost, experts recommend speaking to your children about the dangers of prescription drug addiction. People often do not understand that prescription drugs used by a person for whom the drug was not prescribed, or in a manner or quantity beyond that which was recommended by a doctor, can be just as dangerous as illegal drugs. Don't wait until your child is 16 to have this important conversation; start talking to your child about drug abuse and the dangers of prescription drugs that are used inappropriately starting around the age of 12. This is when the average drug use starts for many children, do your best to nip it in the bud before it becomes a problem for your family.

Parents should also learn the signs of prescription drug dependence; mood swings, erratic conversation, constricted pupils, and loud snoring are all signs of drug abuse. Don't lull yourself into a false sense of security just because your child is a high achiever; many children who perform well in school are natural risk takers, and prone to taking chances and assuming that they will be unharmed. Also, be sure that you know your child's friends, and the parents of these friends. Do not ever assume that other parents have the same restrictions that you have in your household; some homes are more permissive or unsupervised, and some parents are abusing drugs or alcohol. Be wary before you allow your child to spend a lot of time in another person's home. If you fear that there are inappropriate activities going on at the house of one of your child's friends, do not be afraid to speak up. Don't let the fear that you might be wrong prevent you from expressing concern about your child's activities, or the activities of another child. Build trust within your family by sharing meals on a regular basis, and creating time for you and your child to talk on a regular basis. If your child doesn't feel that he or she can speak to you about any pressure they're getting from friends about drugs, it's possible the child could make the wrong choice. Dispose of any leftover prescription drugs immediately and don't leave them around to tempt curious teens.