Most Common Prescription Drugs Abused by Teenagers in the US

Prescription drug addiction is becoming a common problem among teenagers that needs to be addressed. In order to address this concern, it is essential for the parents and everyone else involved with the teenager to get enough information on the nature of prescription drug addiction. Everything else, including intervention, prescription drug testing and rehabilitating the affected teenager, flows from there.

One step towards gathering information on what prescription drug abuse is all about is by knowing the most common prescription drugs abused by teenagers, at least in the United States.

1. Narcotics. Narcotics, also known as painkillers, are prescribed by doctors to manage pain.

2. Sedatives. Sedatives are used mainly to treat sleeping disorders and anxiety.

3. Stimulants. Stimulants are usually prescribed to treat conditions like ADHD, asthma, sleep disorders and narcolepsy.

Given these three major classifications of prescription drugs, the following are the five most commonly abused prescription drugs by teenagers today.

1. Vicodin. Vicodin is an analgesic painkiller that contains paracetamol and hydrocodone and it is often prescribed to manage acute pain. Distribution of this drug is heavily regulated by the US government. The slang used by junkies who distribute it is “happy pills” or “vikes.”

2. Valium. Valium is one of the brand names by which the drug diazepam is known for. It is a sedative synonymous with the term “sleeping pill.” Doctors prescribe valium to patients with anxiety, sleeping disorders, muscle spasms and other conditions.

3. Xanax. Xanax is the drug commonly prescribed to patients with severe depression or anxiety disorders and panic attacks. Its generic name is alprazolam, but the street slang for it is “totem poles.”

4. Ritalin. Known on the streets as “kiddy cocaine” and “Vitamin R,” Ritalin is a brand name for methylphenidate. Methylphenidate is a stimulant and a common ingredient in drugs used to treat ADHD, daytime drowsiness and chronic fatigue syndrome.

5. Dexedrine. Dexedrine is one of the many brand names of drugs containing amphetamines. It is a stimulant that is meant to treat patients with chronic fatigue syndrome.

The drugs listed above can be bought only with the correct prescription. However, many teenagers get their hands on these prescription drugs by stealing the pills prescribed for their parents or their siblings, or given to them by their friends. If any member of the family is prescribed these drugs and the pills or tablets suddenly go missing, it is one sign of teenage prescription drug abuse.

Dealing with a teenager who is displaying signs of prescription drug abuse is very tricky. It often leads to emotional confrontations between the angry teenager and the anxious parents.

Nonetheless, it is important for the parents to remain calm when dealing with their teenager who is showing symptoms of prescription drug addiction. Parents should impress upon the teenager that they are intervening out of love and not out of any desire to meddle. It is also essential for parents who are dealing with teenage children facing prescription drug abuse to show their children that they are people worthy of trust.