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Our Expert on Adolescents
Q: I've heard teens are taking prescription drugs illegally. Is this true?Ask Our Experts about Teens and Prescription Drug Abuse
About Our ExpertsSarah Stevens, M.D., is an adolescent medicine specialist at Lehigh Valley Health Network. In her field she addresses adolescent health and development issues, including physical, social and emotional issues. She provides health care to males and females from age 12-25, including chronic fatigue syndrome and fibromyalgia in adolescents, chronic headaches or abdominal pain, health care for athletes, acne and headaches. Her advice for parents is to listen to their teens and talk with them regularly. 
Ken Mead directs the Adolescent Transitions program at Lehigh Valley Health Network. His program utilizes individual and group therapy to focus on issues like problem solving, anger management, communication, esteem-building and stress relief. He says the best anti-drug is to know your teens and their friends and to pay very close attention to what they do on a daily basis.
Q: I've heard teens are taking prescription drugs illegally. Is this true?A: Yes, and it's a nationwide concern. Many teens are taking prescription drugs to get high. Prescription drug abuse knows no socioeconomic boundaries. There are teens, both boys and girls, misusing prescription medications in urban and rural areas. However, the misuse of prescription drugs is not nearly as widespread as the use of alcohol, tobacco and marijuana. Q: What kinds of drugs are teens taking?A: They are taking stimulants, antidepressants/anti-anxiety medications and pain killers. The most frequently misused drugs are opiate-based painkillers. Teens misuse medications such as Vicodin, Percocet, Oxycodone and OxyContin. The common stimulants are attention-deficit drugs like Ritalin and Adderall. Some teens are misusing anti-anxiety/antidepressant drugs such as Xanax and Ativan; however, this problem isn't as prevalent. Q. Why are teens taking these drugs?A: There are many reasons why teens may use these drugs. Teens may be experimenting, rebelling against parents, trying to fit in with a peer group. They may be experiencing difficulties with poor self-esteem, depression, anxiety, attention-deficit disorder, learning disabilities or other underlying problems that they do not know how to deal with in a more healthy way. Teens may like the way that some of these drugs make them feel. For instance, stimulants may act like the street drug speed, creating a rush of energy. Teen girls often use them for weight loss. Antidepressant/anti-anxiety medications and painkillers create a relaxed sensation, and teens use them to "mellow out." Some teens experiment with prescription medications, while others self-medicate and may struggle with self-esteem issues, depression, anxiety or other underlying psychiatric disorders. Q: At what age are teens abusing prescription drugs?A: Experimentation with drugs (prescription, street, tobacco, alcohol, etc.) often begins in middle school. Q: How are teens getting prescription drugs?A: Prescription drugs are very easy for teens to get. They are found in their own homes, in their grandparents' homes, in their friends' homes. They are available from their friends, on the street and on the Internet. Teens aren't just taking prescription meds; they're using over-the-counter drugs too - which are readily purchased at grocery and drug stores. Q: What are the dangers of using prescription drugs that weren't prescribed for the teen?A: There is a perception that prescription drugs are safer than street drugs because they are prescribed by a doctor. When prescription drugs are misused they can be dangerous. A single large dose of painkillers, anti-anxiety medications or antidepressants can lead to death. Stimulant abuse can cause heart failure or fatal seizures. These drugs can impair judgment and motor skills, which can lead to injury, such as if the teen drives after using the substance. The risk becomes even greater when prescription drugs in any dose - large or small - are combined with other drugs or with alcohol. Q: What are the symptoms of prescription drug abuse?A: Changes in behavior, weight loss or gain, changes in interest in usual activities, declining grades, different friends, and increased or decreased sleep can all be indicators of drug use. Q: What can I do to make sure my teen doesn't start abusing prescription drugs?A: You should be talking to your teen about the topic, just like you would talk to them about drinking. You should know your kids' friends and their parents. You should keep prescription medications in a secure (locked) or hidden place, get rid of medications that you don't need and if you are suspicious you should count pills to see if any are missing. Q: I think my teen may be abusing prescription drugs. Where do I turn for help?A: First talk to your teen about your concern. Then you can contact the Lehigh Valley Drug and Alcohol Intake Unit at 610-432-2228. To find out more, call 610-402-CARE. This page last updated 10/14/08 10:15 PM
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