Prescription drug abuse is a serious and growing problem among rural teens, who may be more likely to engage in this behavior due to a variety of factors. These include limited access to alternative forms of treatment, social isolation, and a lack of education about the dangers of prescription drug abuse.
One reason that rural teens may be more vulnerable to prescription drug abuse is the limited access to alternative forms of treatment. In rural areas, there may be fewer mental health resources and access to healthcare may be more difficult. This can make it harder for teens to receive the treatment they need for mental health conditions or chronic pain, leading them to turn to prescription drugs as a means of coping.
Social isolation can also contribute to prescription drug abuse among rural teens. In rural areas, there may be fewer opportunities for social interaction and support, leading to feelings of loneliness and isolation. This can make it more difficult for teens to cope with the challenges of growing up and may lead them to turn to prescription drugs as a means of self-medication.
Finally, a lack of education about the dangers of prescription drug abuse can also contribute to this problem among rural teens. In some cases, teens may not be aware of the potential consequences of taking prescription drugs without a prescription or in ways other than they were intended. This lack of knowledge can make it easier for them to justify their behavior and may lead to more widespread abuse.
To address the issue of prescription drug abuse among rural teens, it is important to address each of these contributing factors. This may include increasing access to mental health resources and alternative forms of treatment, promoting social connections and support, and providing education about the dangers of prescription drug abuse. By taking a comprehensive approach, it is possible to address this serious and growing problem and help rural teens stay healthy and safe.
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Nationally, the abuse of prescription pain relievers, as evidenced by treatment submissions, has gone up 430 percent in the last decade, according to a new report by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration in Washington, D. When teens appear to be high functioning in all other areas of life, parents or caregivers may not recognize the signs of opioid abuse. If you notice the signs of opioid addiction in your teen, seek help from an opioid addiction treatment program. Tennessee Teenagers in Tennessee are 18. There has been a lot of media coverage recently about drug abuse and overdoses in America. Kentucky Teenagers in Kentucky are 15. Other websites provide information about how to get high using certain prescription pills by themselves or in combinations.
Rx Drug Abuse More Frequent Among Rural Teens
In fact, prescription medicine abuse is common in all parts of our society. Maine Teenagers in Maine are 47. The drug trade usually brings to mind massive cities with huge networks of people buying and selling drugs. The truth is that prescription drugs can be highly addictive for some people. Vermont Teenagers in Vermont are 75. Meth seems to have found a niche in rural areas. These include overdose, addiction, seizures, stroke, and even death.
Rural teens more likely to abuse prescription drugs
Department of Health and Human Services, and ten other national organizations. Indeed, many teens are excited by the idea of taking an unknown drug and seeing what happens. The takeaway was that people with a family member with a prescription was at least The most common source of prescription meds, according to teens, were friends, family members, and their own prescriptions. Colorado Teenagers in Colorado are 37. They can also lead to loss of consciousness in some people. Many people forget to dispose of unused medications. It ranges from the inner city to suburbs and rural areas.
Rural Teens More Likely to Abuse Prescription Drugs
When too much is taken, it can lead to physical illness and a drop in respiration. Nearly a third said they used medications they found at home. Many teens who take prescription drugs for non-medical reasons combine them with other drugs or alcohol, greatly increasing their overdose risk. Some take more than the recommended dose of their own medicine. Our Do Teens Misuse Prescription Drugs? He had nothing but great things to say about the staff and counsellors. The survey included data for 17,872 teens ages 12 to 17; just over half lived in urban areas, and 17.
