One may well mull over the fact that any form of addiction is unhealthy, if not detrimental. An addiction is basically binding, and it strips one of the liberty to just be. The most dangerous of all addictions is that of illegal drugs and the currently rising trend of dependency and abuse of
. The statistics pertaining to abuse and addiction to prescription drugs has become alarming, and even more so, distressing if one takes into consideration that prescription drugs can be as harmful as illegal drugs when misused. The prevalence of prescription drug abuse is quite staggering, especially as such drugs are now easily accessible with the convenience of the internet.
More so, authorities find it exigent to track down operators illegally distributing such drugs. Addiction to prescription drugs has risen to be one of the major problems in the United States. There is generally a wide variety of purposes as to why prescription drugs are prescribed, and owing to this fact, there is a greater likelihood for such drugs to be misused. When one takes notice of the statistics pertaining to prescription drug abuse and addiction, they may find that the trend has indeed become disturbing and disheartening. As cited by the US Department of Health and Human Services, the age group most likely to be involved in addiction to
are that of individuals aging 60 years old and above.
As of 2000, it was reported that over 17% of individuals from such age group abuse prescription drugs with a large number doing so unwittingly. Another disturbing statistic is that prescription drug abuse has remarkably increased, and is in fact the fastest rising trend among those aging 12 to 25. Abuse of prescription drugs has astoundingly increased to five times since the mid 1980’s. A major factor said to be the instigator of such a prevailing dilemma is that a large number of young individuals consider prescription drugs as a safer alternative to illegal drugs. They remain oblivious and perhaps unaware of the fact that prescription drugs, when misused entails serious and detrimental health consequences.
In the age group of 12 to 25 years old, statistics have indicated that females are more likely to abuse prescription drugs than males. Prescription drug abuse and addiction generally involves the use of opioids such as Vicodin and Oxycontin. Between 1999 to 2000 however, in just a span of one year, abuse of CNS depressants rose to 50%. There has been an enormous increase in the illegal sale of prescription drugs in the recent years. Along with this vast increase of the availability of such drugs is the drastic increase in the number of addicts. More and more individuals now have easy access to
through the internet and what remains discouraging is that it is a difficult challenge for authorities to keep such operations under control owing to modern computer technology.
Reported statistics on prescription drug abuse and addiction remain overwhelming, but with more awareness and educational campaigns on the destructive consequences of such a habit, the more chances for the involved populace to avoid the misuse of such drugs or to seek help.
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