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Prevention * Education * Awareness |
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Community Drug and Alcohol Council, Inc. |
Prescription Drugs and Your Family |
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The abuse and incorrect use of prescription drugs has become a growing problem in our local area. Older members of our family are vulnerable since they are prescribed with more medications but youth and other family members are at risk as well. Some youth take prescription drugs on purpose to try to get high. Some may misuse prescriptions without meaning to. As we get older our bodies change the way we process medications. This increases the chance of experiencing a harmful drug interaction.
Most commonly abused types of drugs: Opioids Used to treat pain. Examples: morphine, codeine, oxycodone Long term use can cause addiction. A large single dose can cause severe respiratory depression and can lead to death. Central Nervous System Depressants Treats anxiety and sleep disorders. Examples: Mebaral, Xanax, Valium, Nembutal These drugs work by slowing down the brain’s activity. When someone stops taking them the brain could start to race out of control and could lead to seizures and other dangers. Stimulants Used to treat narcolepsy and ADHD. Examples: Adderall, Ritalin, Concerta Taking high doses may result in dangerously high body temperature and irregular heartbeat. Potential for cardiovascular failure or lethal seizures. What the Savvy Parent can do: · Talk with your family members about what medications they are taking · Offer to attend doctor visits of older family members · Talk with your family about not mixing prescription drugs with alcohol · Help family members to understand the directions to their medications · Be aware of potential interactions with other drugs · Talk with your children about the dangers of taking medications not prescribed to them · Keep track of prescription drugs in your home |
