Teens and Prescription Teens and Prescription Drug AbuseDrug Abuse

Catherine TreacyCatherine Treacy

Prescription Pain PillsPrescription Pain PillsOpiatesOpiates

- prescribed because of their - prescribed because of their analgesic (pain relieving) properties.analgesic (pain relieving) properties.

- if taken as prescribed, they can - if taken as prescribed, they can manage pain effectively.manage pain effectively.

Commonly abused pillsCommonly abused pills vicodin (hydrocodone) vicodin (hydrocodone) percocet (oxycodone)percocet (oxycodone) oxycontinoxycontin fentynlfentynl tramadoltramadol clonazepam (epilepsy/seizure)clonazepam (epilepsy/seizure) soboxonesoboxone methadonemethadone stratterastrattera ritalinritalin adderaladderal concertaconcerta

Tramadol

Slang terms for Pain PillsSlang terms for Pain Pills

OCOC Oxy 80’sOxy 80’s VicsVics Watson- 357Watson- 357 PercsPercs Mixed BagMixed Bag

Methods of useMethods of use

Ingesting pillIngesting pill SnortingSnorting Injecting (IV)Injecting (IV)

General Indicators of Opiate General Indicators of Opiate abuseabuse

Low, raspy voiceLow, raspy voice LethargyLethargy Low pulse rateLow pulse rate ““On the nod”On the nod” Itching, especially facial Itching, especially facial

itchingitching Lack of balance, Lack of balance,

coordinationcoordination Body tremorsBody tremors Feeling cold, clammy skinFeeling cold, clammy skin Lower pulse rate & blood Lower pulse rate & blood

pressurepressure SLOW internal clockSLOW internal clock

Symptom of opiate useSymptom of opiate use

Physical WithdrawalPhysical Withdrawal

Can start within few hours of last useCan start within few hours of last use Signs include:Signs include:

– RestlessnessRestlessness– Irritable moodIrritable mood– Muscle/ bone painMuscle/ bone pain– InsomniaInsomnia– Diarrhea/ vomitingDiarrhea/ vomiting– Cold flashes w/ goose bumpsCold flashes w/ goose bumps– Kicking movementsKicking movements– Severe cravingsSevere cravings(peak within 48/72 hours and usually last up to 1 (peak within 48/72 hours and usually last up to 1

wk)wk)

Teen PerceptionsTeen Perceptions

MythMyth- prescription drugs provide a - prescription drugs provide a medically safe highmedically safe high– ““responsible”, “controlled”, “safe” responsible”, “controlled”, “safe” (Friedman, 2006)(Friedman, 2006)

– Safer than street drugs, even if not prescribed Safer than street drugs, even if not prescribed specifically for them.specifically for them.

– 1 in 3 see nothing wrong with using pills once 1 in 3 see nothing wrong with using pills once in a whilein a while

– 3 in 10 don’t believe they are addictive 3 in 10 don’t believe they are addictive (PATS, 2006)(PATS, 2006)

AvailabilityAvailability

47% of teens who use prescription pills got 47% of teens who use prescription pills got them from a friend or relative them from a friend or relative (NSDUH, 2006)(NSDUH, 2006)

60% say it’s easy to get pills from parent’s 60% say it’s easy to get pills from parent’s medicine cabinets. 50% say it’s easy to medicine cabinets. 50% say it’s easy to get pills through other people’s get pills through other people’s prescriptions.prescriptions.

52% say they are “available everywhere” 52% say they are “available everywhere” (PATS, 2006)(PATS, 2006)

AvailabilityAvailability

56% say prescription pills are easier to get 56% say prescription pills are easier to get than illegal drugsthan illegal drugs (PATS, 2006)(PATS, 2006)

More teens have been offered pills than More teens have been offered pills than any other illicit drug, except marijuanaany other illicit drug, except marijuana

14 y.o. are 4 times more likely than 13 14 y.o. are 4 times more likely than 13 y.o. to be offered pills. y.o. to be offered pills. (CASA, 2006)(CASA, 2006)