NIDA for Teens: The Science Behind Drug Abuse
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Rx Drug Abuse

Sara Bellum

Have you ever wondered about whether medications prescribed by a doctor could actually be dangerous? Or whether giving a friend a prescription pill you take for ADHD could be bad for them?

Sometimes, people assume that if your doctor prescribes you medications, then they are safe for anyone. Prescription drugs, like Ritalin or Adderall for ADHD, or Tylenol 3 or Percocet for pain, can be extremely effective when used as prescribed…by the people they were prescribed for.

But people who have not been seen by a doctor for these conditions are asking friends to share their drugs for a variety of reasons. For example, Adderall and Ritalin belong to a class of drugs called stimulants—that is, they stimulate your brain and make you feel more alert. Teens might think that's an advantage when taking a test at school. However, that kind of use is actually drug abuse, and can hurt you.

Check out the November issue of Glamour magazine for stories of women who have taken these drugs—both as prescribed and not—and see what they experienced as a result (NIDA's Director, Dr. Nora Volkow was interviewed as a subject expert). And check out the facts about prescription drug abuse on NIDA for Teens.

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Comments

i think this is a very good webpage because it tells you exactly what you shouldnt do

THIZ IZ LAME!!!!

no i think this is great becuase im doing a report on this...:) druglover you are lame!!!!!!!

The missuse and out right abuse of prescription drugs is an ever growing problem, most people are just blind to. on the other hand there are those select few who do need the drugs for pain and have to have them to function, and get addicted to them. Its a nasty cycle but its is what it is.

i think its alright but theres way bigger things to talk about

This is unrelated but; is Sara Bellum a real name? Because Parabellum is a pistol brand...
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it informs you,but at the same time ppl are going to do what they wanna do either way.

it is somuch

I actually think sometimes prescribed medications by the doctor can haarm you, because the doctor can give you the wrong medicine.Then giving medicine to a friend is kinda a bad idea but then its not.

I think drugs that are prescripted are no better thAN REGULAR illegal drugs. I mean they all have crazy side affects:). and they both get you high or dizzy.

In my opinion the person who is receiving the prescribed drugs should do research on the drug before they take it to make sure its not harmful to their body and will help them with their problem.

This article is so helpful about the prescribed drugs. Alot of patients that are prescribed Tylenol, Ritalin, and Percocet for pain. They are very effectful and can really hurt you. Alot of prescribed medication have alot of side effect such as: dizziness, weakness, rash, stomach pains, and etc. So this blog can really help alot of patients who just need any medication to get over pain.

this is actually true b/c the doctor prescribes the medicine for the person that has the condition. but it can be veryy harmful but at other times, it helps ppl with their issue they're having. idnt really agree on this b/c ihve taken ther ppl's meds & it actually help. but at the same time ihve common sence and idnt meds frm everybody.

i think drug are use as a way to make you feel wanted. belongingness is wanted by everyone

thankx
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I obtained fantastic data out of your blogging site
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Your blog has truly been an inspiration to lot of us readers. Thanks for this wonderful posts.
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how many died in 2011 from this type of drug

@laina Prescription drug abuse is a serious problem. A few scary stats according to the November 2011 issue of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s CDC Vitalsigns (http://www.cdc.gov/VitalSigns/PainkillerOverdoses):

· Prescription painkiller overdoses killed nearly 15,000 people in the US in 2008. This is more than 3 times the 4,000 people killed by these drugs in 1999.
· In 2010, about 12 million Americans (age 12 or older) reported nonmedical use of prescription painkillers in the past year.
· Nearly half a million emergency department visits in 2009 were due to people misusing or abusing prescription painkillers.

guess who, same here! hahaha:) and yes drug lover, you are very lame and should start living and caring about an actual LIFE

pain medication is huge. Many people are using it to get numb.... our coping mechanisms got weaker due to our environment and lack of need to look for enjoyment in life. [commercial name removed, per guidelines]

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