The Dangers of OTC and Prescription Drugs

In America, over-the-counter (OTC) medications and prescription drugs are becoming a big problem when it comes to the disease of addiction. Young people frequently experiment with OTC medications to see what the effects are, but these medications can be quite dangerous when they're abused. For people of all ages, prescription drugs are an issue on a variety of different levels because medications used to treat pain, anxiety and hyperactivity disorders can all become highly addictive. For most of those who become addicted, professional addiction treatment is their only chance at recovering.

OTC Medication Abuse Among Young People

We live in a world where it's become almost expected that young people will experiment with some type of substance. The issue is that most children between the ages of 12 and 17 are turning to these substances to deal with feelings and emotions they don't understand, and peer pressure is still a big issue. OTC medications like DXM act as a hallucinogenic, but they can be very dangerous and some young people have had their lives end far too early due to accidents that happen while on the medication.

Prescription Drugs and Addiction

Prescription drugs are the leading cause of fatal overdoses in the world, and they're also the primary gateway drug for illegal drugs like heroin. People either become addicted to prescription drugs because they're looking for a new high or they become dependent when they're prescribed the medications for different illnesses. It's much more difficult for people with a mental or physical illness to realize they need the help of an addiction treatment facility because they justify their abuse of the medication with their illness.

Finding Help at an Addiction Treatment Facility

There comes a point where addicts need a moment of clarity in which they understand that their abuse of medications has become a problem. This can happen when people hit some sort of rock bottom or an intervention occurs. When it comes to young people under the age of 18, some states allow parents to check their child into an addiction treatment facility without the child's consent, but the best results always happen when the person goes to addiction treatment voluntarily. Getting help for addiction can be difficult, but it's the first step to regaining control of the person's life. Through addiction rehab treatment, the addict is given a new design for living, and this is one that doesn't require drugs of any kind to feel well and enjoy life. Freedom From Addiction helps people all over the country find facilities that can help them recover from this seemingly hopeless state, and we'd love to do the same for you. Call us for more information.