10 Facts About Prescription Pills

Drug abuse and addiction are on the rise in the US, and Southern California is not being spared any of the carnage. From alcoholism to heroin addiction, there are millions of lives being destroyed each year because those living with addiction often aren’t aware that help is so close and accessible. 

One of the biggest addiction challenges in the Orange County area in recent years has been prescription pill addiction. Here are some prescription pill addiction facts.

1. Prescription Drug Abuse Stems From Easy Access

Teens frequently report that finding prescription drugs is often easier than finding illicit street drugs. A third of them report they can easily obtain opioids. This can have devastating effects on their young brains.

1. Prescription Abuse Is Common On Campus

While there is drug use in high school, it’s still highly experimental for many students. In college, however, substance use can ramp up incredibly fast. Two-thirds of college students have easy access to prescription pills to abuse, and of those same students, one-third will develop a substance use problem while in college.

1. Many Pill Users Start Young

Millions of individuals addicted to pills started as young as 12, and the national average for a first-time user is just 13 years old. About 20% of American teens will admit to having used drugs before turning 14.

1. Prescription Pills Can Be Deadlier Than Street Drugs

With prescriptions becoming more popular and more easily available, deaths from prescription drugs have been climbing. Now they have actually surpassed illicit drugs, with prescription pills now claiming more lives each year than drugs like coke, meth, and heroin.

1. 1-in-20 Abuse Prescription Pills

About one out of every twenty people have used prescription pills for the high. Often the drugs are shared with or stolen from family members. 

1. Prescription Drug Abuse Causes Costly Damage

Drug abuse in general, but prescription drug abuse in particular leads to considerable damage to the health of those who become addicted. This leads to billions in care each year for those needing chronic care or emergency care relating to their ongoing addiction.

1. Prescription Drugs Easily Lead To Other Drugs

Studies of substance use by teenagers who were already using prescription drugs showed the disturbing conclusions that not only were such teens 2x as likely to use alcohol, they were 5x as likely to use marijuana, and even up to 20x as likely to use cocaine or heroin. Turning to substance use seems to have a strong connection to steady prescription use.

1. Men & Women Abuse Differently

While younger abusers often can’t articulate why they use it, it is much easier for adults to state their reasons for abuse. Men generally abuse to experience the high and for general recreational purposes, while women will more commonly abuse drugs to achieve a goal like weight loss or completing an activity.

1. Prescriptions Are Everywhere

Even though there have been landmark victories against opioid manufacturers recently, the efforts to reduce prescription pill abuse on the street will take years. Half of Americans take a prescription, and just under 20% of them are taking 3 or more prescribed medications. 

1. The Most Commonly Abused Drugs

The most commonly abused drugs in the nation, as well as in SoCal, include opioids, depressants like benzos or barbiturates, and stimulants like amphetamines or Ritalin.

Capo Canyon Can Help You Recover From Prescription Pill Abuse

If you or someone you care about are struggling with prescription addiction, you don’t need to suffer in silence, there is a leading treatment center right in Orange County. Reach out to Capo Canyon today to create a luxury treatment plan and start your recovery the right way.