PRESCRIPTION DRUG ABUSE

AMONG WOMENBy: Brittany Allen

SUMMARY Focus on prescription drug abuse within women located within the United StatesFeatures a personal story, statistics, side effects, and treatmentSerious issue that needs more attention

STATISTICS CDC has claimed prescription drug abuse among women an epidemicBetween 1999 and 2010 nearly 48,000 women were killed due to prescription painkiller overdoes42 women die each day from an overdoseIn 2010 over 940,000 women were seen in an E.R. for drug misuse or abuse“While men are more likely to die of a prescription painkiller overdose, the percentage increase in deaths since 1999 was greater among women.” (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2013)

STATISTICS

WHY IS PRESCRIPTION DRUG ABUSE SO COMMON?Availability of drugsLisa’s story, part 1

SIGNS OF ABUSING PRESCRIPTION DRUGSAccording to timberlineknolls.com they say the following are all behaviors associated with prescription drug abuse:1. Frequent requests for refills from physicians2. Losing prescriptions and requesting replacements

regularly3. Crushing or breaking pills4. Stealing or borrowing prescription medications from

family members/friends/co-workers

SIGNS OF ABUSING PRESCRIPTION DRUGS CONT.5. Consuming prescriptions much faster than indicated 6. Visiting multiple doctors for similar conditions7. Inconsistent answers about prescription usage8. Stealing or forging prescriptions 9. Ordering prescription medication over the internet

SOME WOMEN SAY PRESCRIPTION DRUGS MAKE THEM BETTER MOMSABC News Video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jO7c7nCHybk

SIDE EFFECTS

Vary based on each person and prescriptions drugs being abusedCan include different aspects of life such as one’s personality, social life, financial situation, and one’s overall mental health. 3 drugs most susceptible to abuse

STATEMENT ABOUT DRUG ABUSE BY TIMBERKNOLLS.COM “If prescription drugs are taken for emotional problems without the supervision of a medical professional, the only result of the drugs will be to mask or numb the upset feelings. Although a person may not experience her depression for a period of time or she may be temporarily able to stop obsessing about a certain problem, in most cases, the problem is just made worse as the person is not learning how to effectively cope with the particular feelings and issues at hand. The abuse of prescription drugs often results in negative effects on personal relationships, employment difficulties and job loss, financial difficulties, legal issues, and psychological problems.”

SIDE EFFECTS ON LISAMental SociallyPersonality Financially

TREATMENTResources and treatment availablehttp://findtreatment.samhsa.gov/

TREATMENT CONT. Different components needed to find successDetoxification, counseling, and sometimes the use of addiction medications (NIDA, 2011)Multiple courses of treatment Lisa and treatment

CONCLUSIONImportance of following doctor’s prescription perfectlyEducating yourselves and othersQuestions?

REFERENCES "New CDC Vital Signs: Prescription Painkiller Epidemic Among Women." Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 22 July 2013. Web. 21 Nov. 2013. <http://www.cdc.gov/media/dpk/2013/dpk-Prescription drug overdose.html>.

"Epidemic." Merriam-Webster. Merriam-Webster, n.d. Web. 21 Nov. 2013. <http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/epidemic>.

"Press Release." Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 02 July 2013. Web. 21 Nov. 2013. <http://www.cdc.gov/media/releases/2013/p0702-drug-overdose.html>.

"Prescription Drug Addiction Symptoms and Effects." Prescription Drug Addiction. N.p., n.d. Web. 21 Nov. 2013. <http://www.timberlineknolls.com/drug-addiction/prescription-drugs/signs-effects>.

"Prescription Drugs: Abuse and Addiction." Treating Prescription Drug Addiction. N.p., Oct. 2011. Web. 21 Nov. 2013. <http://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/research-reports/prescription-drugs/treating-prescription-drug-addiction>.

Golding, Lisa B. "My Story." Letter to Brittany Allen. Nov. 2013. MS. N.p.