Prescription Drug Abuse in the US

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Prescription Drug Abuse in the US
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Prescription Drug Abuse

• When people say "drug abuse," most people think
  of illegal street drugs like cocaine,
  methamphetamine, and heroin.
• But these kinds of drugs are only a part of the
  whole picture.
• Millions of Americans, some of whom have never
  bought an illegal street drug in their life, have
  abused or are currently abusing prescription
  drugs.

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What is Prescription Drug Abuse?
Prescription drug abuse is the use of regulated
narcotics in ways other than prescribed by one's
doctor. This includes  

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• Taking medication not prescribed to you
• Taking more than the recommended dosage
• Using medication for something other than its
  intended purpose
• Taking medication in a method other than
  prescribed (injecting, snorting, etc.)

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Prescription Drug Addiction

• Abusing drugs, even those that have legally been
  prescribed, often leads to addiction.
  Prescription drug abuse is the fastest growing
  type of drug abuse in the US. In 2008 alone,
  there were 15,000 overdose deaths from
  prescription drugs, more than the number of
  deaths caused by cocaine and heroin combined.1
•  

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Health Effects of

• Even if someone abusing prescription drugs
  doesn't overdose, they can still suffer from one
  or more ill effects on their health.
• Depending on the type of drugs they are abusing
  and the frequency of use, prescription drug
  abusers can suffer from
• Hallucinations
• Irregular heartbeat
• High blood pressure
• Hostile/paranoid behavior
• Impaired motor function
• Permanent brain and neurological damage
• And more

Prescription Drugs
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The Cost of Prescription Drug Abuse

• In addition to overdoses and other health
  problems, prescription drug abuse costs the US
  economy and insurance companies billions of
  dollars every year in fraud, prevention efforts,
  and enforcement actions.  
• Each individual abuser costs insurers
  10,000-15,000 per year.
• In 2006, the estimated cost of lost productivity
  from prescription drug abuse was 42 billion.
• That same year, associated criminal justice costs
  were 8.2 billion.
• These expenses result in higher taxes and
  insurance premiums for every American, even those
  who don't abuse prescription drugs.1

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Types of Prescription Drugs

• There are many different types of prescription
  drugs, which can have different effects on the
  user. The most common categories are
• Painkillers
• Vicodin, OxyContin, and other opioids
• Stimulants
• Adderall, Ritalin, and other ADHD drugs
• Anti-anxiety drugs
• Valium, Xanax, etc.
• Cough syrup/cold remedies
• These can often be bought over the counter, and
  include the addictive ingredient dextromethorphan
  (DXM or DM).

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Overcoming Prescription Drug Abuse

• If you or a loved one is currently abusing
  prescription drugs, it's not too late to recover.
  With the help of Yellowstone Recovery or another
  affordable drug treatment center, you can leave
  prescription drug abuse behind and learn how to
  live a life free of chemical dependency.
•  

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Treatment Center Options

• When you check into one of Yellowstone Recovery's
  Orange County treatment centers, our staff will
  help you through the multi-step process of
  overcoming prescription drugs  
• Detox (10 Days) Medically assisted withdrawal
  from prescription drug use 24-hour observation
  and introduction to a 12-step program.
• Primary Care Residential Treatment (30 Days) A
  combination of 12-step meetings, group and
  individual therapy, and separation from friends
  and family in order to identify the key issues
  that are affecting their recovery.
• Residential Treatment Extended Care (90 Days)
  Patients continue to live in our Orange County
  facility, but are gradually allowed more freedom
  to visit with family, look for a part-time job,
  and re-establish their outside life.
• Outpatient Treatment After patients leave our
  facility, their treatment continues with regular
  group and individual therapy sessions, as well as
  continued 12-step meetings.
• The road to recovery starts with a confidential
  phone call with one of our advisors. If you or a
  loved one needs our help, contact us as soon as
  possible so that we can begin the journey back to
  health together.

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• Yellowstone Recovery has treatment facilities
  placed throughout Costa Mesa and Newport Beach,
  CA. We treat patients of both genders, regardless
  of age, and provide them with the care and
  knowledge they need to overcome addiction. Learn
  more at http//www.yellowstonerecovery.com
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