Dangerous Scenerios
Last year, over 25,000 people died from prescription drug overdoses.

Many drugs are dangerous on their own - and mixing more than one can have unexpectedly deadly consequences.

Using these 'molotov cocktail' combinations can sometime be unintentional. When the cocktail begins to affect someone's career and home life, getting help for treatment and job protection is important.
Overview
Prescription drug abuse is characterized by the using of any prescribed drug, regardless of who it was prescribed to, in any manner other than the way the doctor intended it be used.

The prescription pandemic affects teenagers and young adults at a much higher rate. 

Many accredit this spike to the increased availability from friends, family, and even drug dealers. Prescription drug abuse, also known as non-medical use, can not only lead to life altering addiction, but can destroy families, careers, and relationships. 

Abusers often try to justify their actions denoting, "It's legal for someone."  

While that may be true, mishandling these medications exceeds a bad decision, it's breaking the law. Whether it's taking Ritalin from a sister, offering OxyContin to a cousin, or lifting Lunesta from the medicine cabinet - it's wrong.
Statistics
  • An estimated 52 million people (20 percent of those aged 12 and older) have used prescription drugs for non-medical reasons at least once in their lifetimes.
  • A National Institute on Drug Abuse's (NIDA) Monitoring the Future (MTF) survey found that about 1 in 12 high school seniors reported past-year non-medical use Vicodin in 2010, and 1 in 20 reported abusing OxyContin.
  • Among those who reported past-year non-medical use of a prescription drug, nearly 14 percent met criteria for abuse of or dependence on it (according to the NIDA)
  • The #1 reasons teens abuse prescriptions is because they're 'easy to get' from parents.
Signs & Symptoms
Although the signs and symptoms of non-medical drug abuse may differ depending on the intended use of drug, whether it is pain, anxiety, or sleeplessness, a general change in mood or behavior is constant. 

Abusers tend to isolate themselves when they are struggling, and abnormal schedules may become more apparent.

Here are some identifiable symptoms of not only prescription drug abuse, but drug abuse as a whole:
  • Poor Memory
  • Slurred Speech
  • Coordination Problems
  • Dilated Pupils
  • Headaches / Dizziness
  • Depressed, Tired, Aggressive, Agitated, Paranoid, or Suicidal Behavior.
HCAMS Can Help
Know someone who is exhibiting symptoms and needs help? HCAMS can help on all levels - job security, emotional, professional and future.

HCAMS also offers no-cost training sessions on a variety of important topics:
  • Bullying And Hostile Work Environments
  • Stress In The Workplace
  • Building A Culture Of Teamwork
  • Representing A Member In A Behavioral Health Crisis
Call (888) 828-7826 to schedule a training session for your next general membership meeting! Now scheduling for fall!

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