What is Prescription Drug Abuse?
Prescription drug abuse is characterized by the intentional use of medication without a prescription, use in a way other than prescribed or use for the feelings the medication causes. This problem is nothing new, but one that deserves renewed focus. Although in many instances, prescription drugs have many health benefits, they also pose multiple serious health risks if abused. Among teens, prescription and over-the-counter medications account for a vast majority of commonly abused drugs.
Risks of Oxycontin Abuse
- Addiction. Prescription opioids act on the same receptors as heroin and can be highly addictive. People who abuse them sometimes alter the route of administration (e.g., snorting or injecting) to intensify the effect; some even report moving from prescription opioids to heroin. NSDUH estimates about 1.9 million people in the U.S. meet abuse or dependence criteria for prescription opioids.
- Overdose. Abuse of opioids, alone or with alcohol or other drugs, can depress respiration and lead to death. Unintentional overdose deaths involving prescription opioids have quadrupled since 1999 and now outnumber those from heroin and cocaine combined.
- Heightened HIV risk. Injecting opioids increases the risk of HIV and other infectious diseases through use of unsterilized or shared equipment. Non-injection drug use can also increase these risks through drug-altered judgment and decision making.
Teen Oxycontin Rehab at Vista Academy
The experienced Treatment Team at Vista Academy consists of counselors, therapists, academic advisers, mentors, and psychiatrists. The focus of Vista Academy is to provide teens with knowledge about their addiction, show them how to live a happy healthy life, and teach them tools for relapse prevention.
Drug and alcohol addiction can be detrimental to the family as a whole. Vista Academy not only helps their students, but the family to heal as a whole. One in ten Americans are alcoholics or addicts, and it is possible to become sober at a young age, and remain sober without relapse.
Oxycontin Rehab includes individual therapy, group therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, random drug testing, experiential therapy, staff, peer, and family support as well as integration of the Vista Academy’s five core competencies. Oxycontin is dangerous and treatment is beneficial.