Prescription Medicine Misuse: Could You Have a Problem?

Prescription Medicine Misuse: Could You Have a Problem? (00:02:37)
Video Transcript

[Older man] "I had no idea when I took those first pain pills that it would lead to so much trouble and so many regrets."

[Host] You probably had a good reason to start taking a prescription drug.

Maybe your doctor prescribed An opiate medicine for pain A depressant like a tranquilizer or sedative for anxiety or insomnia Or a stimulant medicine for attention deficit disorder.

Or, maybe you're using a medicine that wasn't prescribed for you.

[College girl] "Lots of kids were taking Adderall to study.

It was awesome--I could stay up all night.

And it was a prescription medicine, so I figured it was safe not like meth or cocaine."

[Host] You might think prescription medicines are safe.

And they usually are, if they're used correctly.

But there's a risk of getting hooked on these medicines.

And when they're misused, they can be deadly.

The fact is, prescription medicine overdoses kill more people each year than cocaine and heroin combined.

If there's a chance that you may be misusing prescription medicines, it's important to find out.

So, ask yourself a few questions Do you spend a lot of time thinking about your medicine getting the medicine and using it?

Has that taken the place of other things you used to enjoy?

[Man #1] "My supply never lasted long so I was always looking for another doctor, trying to get more pills.

That was the focus of my life."

[Host] Have you had problems with your family or friends or at work or school because of your use?

Do you keep using anyway?

[Teen girl] "My mom found the pills in my backpack, and we had a huge fight.

I told her I'd quit but I didn't.

I just hid them better."

[Host] Have you ever felt ill or had other symptoms when you tried to quit?

[Man #2] "I was so sick achy all over, runny nose, sick to my stomach.

It felt like a really bad case of the flu but I knew better."

[Host] Do you feel guilty or ashamed about your use?

[Woman] "I'm a doctor.

It was easy to get the drugs, but I knew it was wrong.

I was so afraid that somebody would find out but that didn't stop me."

[Host] Do you think you might have a problem?

If you do, then you've just taken an important first step.

Many people have overcome this problem, and most of them started by reaching out to others like caring friends or family or a support group.

You've taken the first step. What will your next step be?

This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Ignite Healthwise, LLC disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Terms of Use. How this information was developed to help you make better health decisions. Image is used for illustrative purposes only and any person depicted is a model.

This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Ignite Healthwise, LLC disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Terms of Use. How this information was developed to help you make better health decisions. Image is used for illustrative purposes only and any person depicted is a model.

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