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Learn About Prescription Drug Misuse

Prescription drugs are meant to help us, but they can also harm us. When prescription drugs are misused, they can cause serious harm, even death, to those who misuse them. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, in 2017 an estimated 18 million people misused prescription drugs.

Despite their beneficial effects, many prescription drugs also have negative effects, and the effects of overdosing can be fatal. As prescription drug misuse has increased, so have prescription-drug-related emergency room visits and overdose deaths.

Key Facts about Prescription Drug Misuse

Opioids—Prescription Pain Relievers

Opioids are a type of prescription drug that attach to opioid receptors in the brain to block the brain from sending pain messagesto the rest of the body. There are many kinds of opioids, including, but not limited to, methadone, oxycodone, and hydrocodone.Ā Opioid pain relievers are the most commonly misused class of prescription drug followed by depressants and stimulants.

Anyone who uses prescription opioids can contract opioid use disorder. Other side effects include increased tolerance, dependence, sensitivity to pain, constipation, nausea and vomiting, sleepiness, dizziness, confusion, depression, low levels of testosterone, and itching or sweating.

Unfortunately, only one in four people who need treatment for opioid use disorder will get it, according to the American Psychiatric Association. Treating opioid use disorder can involve medication-assisted treatment, self-help programs, and cognitive behavioral therapy.

Prescription Drugs and You Public Health Awareness Campaign

Prescription Drugs and You is a public health awareness campaign by Prevention Action Alliance. The tagline, ā€œEveryone has a role in prevention,ā€ emphasizes our collective responsibility to safely use, secure, and dispose of prescription drugs. This campaign provides communities with the resources they need to raise awareness about the risks of prescription drug misuse as well as the behaviors needed to reduce those risks. It supports the protective factors in our communities and raises awareness about prescription drug safety.

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If you’re concerned about you or someone else, get help at findtreatment.gov.