Prescription drug misuse is frighteningly common in the United States. In a study that spanned thirty-two years, researchers examined data from 26,000 plus persons living in the United States. Incredibly, nearly half of all US adults report prescription drug misuse (PDM). Moreover, as people age, the misuse and abuse of prescription drugs is increasingly more common. In addition, the misuse of prescription drugs greatly increases a person’s risk for substance use disorders and the resulting negative consequences.

Researchers from the University of Michigan School of Nursing Center for the Study of Drugs, Alcohol, Smoking and Health (DASH) Center did a follow-up to the Monitoring the Future (MTF) annual study. Using the MTF data, the research team focuses on identifying trajectories of prescription opioid, stimulant, sedative, and tranquilizer misuse in adulthood. Their findings reveal a pressing need for improved screening systems while increasing awareness of prescription drug misuse tendencies in adulthood.

The Treatment of Prescription Drug Misuse

As providers of substance use disorder treatment services, Tarzana Treatment Centers (TTC) finds the study findings on target. In the twenty-first century, more patients are looking for recovery services to address prescription drug misuse. Often, the decision to misuse prescription drugs opens the door to further drug abuse. In a sense, prescription drugs are a gateway to substance use disorders when those drugs are misused. Thus, many begin a dark journey with prescription drug misuse, leading to addiction and tremendous loss.

For example, in the study, researchers write, “PDM involving prescription opioids, stimulants, and sedatives or tranquilizers is most prevalent during young adulthood. In the past 2 decades, PDM has increased among adults, and there have been historic highs in PDM-related emergency department visits, overdoses, and deaths. Indeed, there were more than 96,000 past-year drug overdose US deaths.”

Given such statistics, people clearly need help. First, TTC believes in reaching out to communities through prevention efforts. By raising awareness and educating the public about the dangers, it is possible to reduce the misuse of prescription drugs. Moreover, when PDM worsens, becoming a substance use disorder, SUD treatment services are a necessity. If there is a problem, then professional help is a smart option.

Prescription Drug Misuse and the Danger of Drug Overdoses

As the researchers point out, the misuse of prescription drugs, particularly opioids, sedatives, and tranquilizers, leads to overdoses. As a provider of Medications for Addiction Treatment, TTC knows the dangers of these powerful drugs. Indeed, overdose rates are skyrocketing around the country. In the study, the investigators write, “The findings of the present study indicate that some US adults do not report their most frequent misuse until later in life, which reinforces the importance of educating about and screening for PDM and SUD from adolescence through middle adulthood.”

Such dangers cannot be ignored. With a combination of SUD prevention and treatment, there is hope. Through such efforts, the tide can be turned, and prescription drug abuse can be effectively addressed, To learn more about how TTC can help you and your family, please contact us today.