Ways to Prevent Prescription Drug Abuse in Teens

Prescriptions drugs are generally prescribed to help people recover from any kind of injury or illness. But there are times when these prescription medications become a menace and cause more harm than good. This happens when an individual engages in non-medical use of such medications, which can eventually lead to an addiction.

Today, drug abuse is rampant in the United States, with most of the commonly abused drugs, such as painkillers, sedatives and antidepressants, being in high demand. But not many people realize that abusing such drugs can cause serious side effects. In case of teenagers, whose brain and body are still developing, any kind of addiction, be it to prescription drugs or illegal substances, can be harmful causing life-threatening repercussions.

Sadly, the rate of this among American teens is upsetting. According to the December 2016 Monitoring the Future (MTF) survey by the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), in 2015, the misuse of prescription opioids among high school students stood at 4.8 percent.

Parents need to be more alert when it comes to dealing with the teens hooked on drugs as it is easier for them to access such medications through legal sources. However, parents can adopt certain effective strategies to curb the menace and help their child to lead a sober life.

Here are some smart ways to keep prescription drug abuse at bay:



Keeping unused prescription medications safe: One might have some unused prescription medications lying here and there at home, which can be easily accessed by the youngsters at home who start misusing them. To prevent such a situation from arising, family members need to keep these medications out of children's reach, or even from pets.

Monitoring teen's clandestine activities: Keeping tabs on a child's whereabouts, interests and hobbies can make it easier to detect any unusual behavior. Moreover, preventing teens from getting involved in any illicit activity and diligently monitoring the activities that are done clandestinely can greatly reduce the chances of prescription drug abuse.

Treating medical conditions, if any: Underlying medical conditions, such as chronic pain, depression and anxiety, not only disrupt the teen's daily life but also increases the risk of prescription drug abuse. Helping the child in coping with pain, low self-esteem and other debilitating health issues is a great way to reduce the risk of prescription drug abuse and addiction.

Discussing the dangers of drug addiction with adolescents: It is important to let the teen know about the dangers and risks of using prescription drugs nonmedically. Helping them understand that all prescription drugs are not completely safe, even if they have been prescribed by a medical practitioner, can go a long way in preventing a crisis.

Setting a good example: Children usually notice their parents and follow them to a great extent. Hence, abusing drug in front of teens can encourage them to experiment with both prescription and non-prescription drugs. Thus, setting an example is possibly the best way to earn a child's respect and to keep them away from all bad habits.

Seeking professional help

Drug abuse is a much bigger issue than ever realized. Parents sometimes notice significant changes in their children but have a hard time believing that they have a prescription drug abuse problem.

In case you know someone who is showing any signs of prescription drug abuse, get in touch with the Colorado Prescription Abuse Helpline at 866-922-5915 to know about the best inpatient drug addiction treatment centers in United States.


 By Barbara Odozi


Article Source: Ways to Prevent Prescription Drug Abuse in Teens