What You Need to Know About Prescription Drug Addiction

Published December 2009

Countless Americans have struggled with prescription drug abuse and subsequent addiction. For some, prescription drug addiction begins with a legitimate prescription that becomes physically addictive due to the length and amount of dosage. For others, the euphoria that certain prescription drugs provide provides an escape from negative self-beliefs or buried emotional pain, causing an initial psychological dependency and an eventual full-blown physical addiction as use continues.

Facts About Prescription Drug Addiction

Often overlooked or minimized as a “softer” form of chemical dependency, prescription drug addiction can involve “doctor shopping,” street purchase, and even overdose as dependency increases. Here are just a few facts about prescription drug addiction that illustrate the scope of the epidemic.

Nearly 2.5 million Americans have used prescription drugs for purely recreational reasons
Over 50 million people in the U.S. alone have abused prescription drugs at least once.
46 percent of adults have used prescription drugs in the last month
Over 70 percent of physician, hospital and emergency room visits end in medication prescription
Seven percent of 8th graders and 10 percent of high school seniors use amphetamines without a prescription
According to a Columbia University research study, 84 percent of online pharmacies do not require prescriptions to order medication
The three most popular prescription drugs for recreational use are opioids, depressants, and stimulants
Painkillers are the most popular abused prescription drugs, with tranquilizers and stimulants closely behind
Teenagers between the ages of 12 to 17 are more likely to abuse prescription drugs
Those living in Western and Southeastern states tend to have a higher likelihood of becoming prescription drug dependent
Many prescription drugs are sold on the streets or given away to friends or family
Girls have a greater likelihood than boys of becoming addicted to prescription drugs
The most commonly abused prescription drugs among teenagers are OxyContin and Vicodin
Teenagers are more likely than college upperclassmen to develop a prescription drug addiction