Prescription Drug Abuse: STIMULANTS

Prescription drug abuse by teens and young adults is a serious problem in the United States:
*1 in 5 teens have abused a prescription (Rx).
*1 in 5 report abusing prescription stimulants and tranquilizers.
*1 in 10 has abused cough medication.

http://www.drugfree.org/drugissue/features/prescription_medicine_misuse

How do prescription drugs work?

Prescription drug stimulants increase:
Alertness
Attention
Energy
Blood pressure
Heart rate
Blood glucose
Constrict blood vessel

Some uses for stimulants are:
o Asthma and other respiratory problems
o Obesity
o Neurological disorders
o A variety of other ailments

However, when abuse and addiction of stimulants became popular in teens and young adults, doctors and hospitals began to prescribe stimulants for only a few health conditions such as:
Ø Narcolepsy
Ø ADHA (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder)
Ø Depression that has not responded to other treatments

The two treatments of addiction to prescription stimulants are:
Amphetamine( Dexedrine and Adderall)
Methylphenidate (Ritalin and Concerta)
These two treatments work in the brain and are based on behavioral therapies.

Prescription drug stimulant symptoms are:
Fatigue
Depression
Disturbance of sleep patterns

These symptoms can lead to feelings of hostility or paranoia. Therefore, it is very dangerous for someone to take a high dose of a stimulant. Taking high doses can lead to:
· High body temperature
· An irregular heartbeat
· Cardiovascular failure or lethal seizures

Stimulants are not to be mix with other drugs, especially antidepressants or over-the-counter cold medicines containing decongestants. Mixing these drugs can lead to irregular heart rhythms. So teens, young adults or parents be very careful with prescription drugs stimulants.

http://www.nida.nih.gov/reseachreports/prescription/prescription7.html
http://www.fda.gov/features/2001/501_drug.html
http://www.prescription-drug-abuse.org