Essay On Prescription Drugs

Every year there are millions of people in the United States who abuse prescription drugs. According to the Internet site Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, in the United States, each day there are 44 people who die from an overdose of prescription painkillers (1). Over the past few years, ER visits and drug facilitation admissions have increased exceptionally from prescription drug abuse. These drugs are prescribed by a doctor for a patient and are purchased from a pharmacy. Pharmacists prescribe medications for patients with medical conditions and take serious consideration when determining the type of medicine to give. Prescription drugs have many benefits and when used properly by a patient can help in multiple ways. However, when …show more content…
There are many different types of prescription drugs. The most commonly abused types of prescription drugs are opioids, central nervous system (CNS) depressants, and stimulants. Opioids are pain reliever drugs such as hydrocodone and oxycodone. Opioids are often abused by people who constantly need relief to their pain. These drugs with high dosages relieve pain in an effective way make it easy to become addicted or dependent on the drug. CNS depressants, such as Xanax or Valium, are used for patients with anxiety or sleep disorders. Due to CNS depressants ability to help with anxiety or sleep disorders, often times they will make the user feel drowsy or calm as it decreases the brain's activity. Lastly, stimulants are drugs used to treat deficit disorders and also narcolepsy. Examples of stimulants are amphetamines, such as Adderall and Ritalin. Stimulants are often taken by students searching to improve in their academics. These drugs help them stay up later and boost their energy, allowing them to study for long periods of time without becoming tired. Each of these drugs can cause different side effects and can become majorly dangerous when taken along with other prescription