Prescription drug abuse is fast becoming more of a problem than other types of drug abuse. This is due to many reasons such as availability, popularity amongst certain age groups, the ease of popping pills and, very often, the inadvertent development of prescription drug abuse from an initially legitimate use. These factors make prescription drug abuse problems unique and sometimes a little more difficult to determine and treat.

Prescription drugs are much more readily available to the general population than many other abused substances. The prescriptions are often obtained from the abuser’s doctor, on many occasions by faking illnesses solely to receive repeat prescriptions to serve their addiction. Pharmacies tend to see the same people coming in with the same prescriptions on a regular basis but it is very hard to question these people about their prescription without it resulting in isolating the abuser and making the situation worse. Abusers will often write their own prescriptions to avoid questions from their doctor.

There are certain age groups that are more likely to participate in prescription drug abuse than others. For example, trends and statistics indicate that prescription drug abuse amongst school children has become popular because they are easy to obtain and easily explained if they are found in possession of any prescription medication. Peer pressure is a very difficult factor for school children to overcome because it will often determine friendships amongst these groups. So to stay in with their group of friends, individuals will follow the leader and submit to taking prescription drugs as a recreational activity.

Prescription drugs are much easier to consume than many other types of drugs that are abused. Drugs such as heroin, cocaine, marijuana, LSD, Speed and steroids must be prepared in a certain way before they are consumed by the abuser. With prescription drug abuse, most of which come in the form of a pill, capsule or caplet, it is swallowed easily with no preparation required. There are some forms of prescription drugs that must be dissolved in water but even here, the drug can be passed off as headache medication if the abuser is caught. This particular factor can make it very difficult to identify a prescription drug abuse problem.

Another unique problem regarding prescription drug abuse is the fact that on many occasions, people from various backgrounds and age groups begin using prescription drugs for completely legitimate reasons, under the advice of their doctor or pharmacist. Sometimes this use can lead to dependence on the prescription drug and the patient will go to their doctor or pharmacist and ask for repeat prescriptions, thinking they still need them for whatever ailment they started treating in the first place. It is then down to the doctor or pharmacist to determine whether the patient is actually still in need of these drugs for their illness or if they have unintentionally become addicted to these drugs.

These factors mentioned above make identifying prescription drug abuse a difficult task. Availability of these drugs must not be a reason to start abusing them. Age groups that are particularly vulnerable to the influence of drug abuse trends must be educated so they realise the dangers of even one time use when it has not been recommended. Those people who do begin using prescription drugs for a legitimate reason must be made aware of how easily such use can quickly turn into abuse and addiction.