Here’s a quiz…  For the first time ever, more people are doing what than trying marijuana for the first time?

What’s your guess??

The answer?  Misusing prescription pain relievers.  This is our topic for this week

Last year, 2.7 million people misused prescription pain relievers, compared with 2.1 million who said they started using marijuana.  And, unfortunately, while teenagers’ use of most drugs has decreased, their illegal use of narcotics like Vicodan and OxyContin has actually increased.  Shocking to me, 9.7% of highschool seniors said they abused Vicodan in 2006.

This, of course, has significance for people with pain disorders because many are prescribed pain relievers, especially narcotics.  We’ve discussed narcotics before, but let’s review mis-using.

Mis-use of medication doesn’t have to just mean as bad as selling or buying meds on a streetcorner in the bad part of town.  Look for these clues in yourself or your loved ones that may mean mis-use, using medication inappropriately:

• using medication for reasons besides pain control, e.g. when you’re depressed, anxious, or stressed
• really looking forward to that next dose
• using more than has been prescribed
• reaching right away for medication, rather than trying other coping skills first
• using medication to get a “buzz”
• using other people’s medication

Of course, signs of more severe mis-use, or abuse, can include that street corner, and also getting prescriptions for narcotics from several doctors, going to several pharmacies so no one pharmacy will get suspicious, daily misuse of your medication, and frequently getting high.

If you’re in trouble with your use of medication, speak to your doctor, so you can get the help you need.  If you’re starting down the path of misuse, turn around and find better ways to cope.  Your doctor and this site are here to help you do that!

(Study done by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.)

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