happy + healthy addiction prevention
HEROIN ?!
Not My Kid
Did you know that heroin addiction often starts with the use of a legal , prescribed medication ?
Pain killers and heroin belong to the same class of drugs , opioids- and opioids of any kind can be dangerously addictive . Once an addictive prescription drug becomes too expensive or difficult to obtain , harder drugs can often seem like the only way to avoid painful withdrawal symptoms , resulting in a new , even more dangerous addiction .
We went to Sandor Cheka , Executive Director of Addiction Prevention Coalition in Birmingham , AL , for what you need to know about prescription drug addiction :
What is the connection between Rx medications and heroin use ?
According to Drexel University ’ s School of Public Health , four out of five young injection drug users used a prescription drug long before injecting heroin .
How are teens able to access these drugs ?
64 % of high schoolers get their prescriptions for misuse from a friend or family member . Because we have such a high prescription rate , we also have easy access and availability in Alabama . One individual once told us that he could walk into any home in his neighborhood and walk out with some medication to abuse , often times without the knowledge of the homeowner .
How prevalent is Rx drug abuse ?
Alabama students ages 12-17 are using prescription pain medications for nonmedical use at a rate of 14.8 % higher than the national average . This does not take into account drugs like Xanax , Klonopin , or study drugs like Adderall or Ritalin . We are seeing teens use drugs to both study and to get high .
What are some of the more commonly abused Rx drugs ?
Opiates ( Oxycontin , Lortab , Codeine cough syrup , Vicodin , Percocet , Roxicodone ), anxiety meds ( Xanax . Klonopin , Valium ), and study drugs which are in the amphetamine family ( Adderall , Ritalin ). Opiate-based medication are generally the most destructive long term , however any misuse of prescription medication can lead to an addiction .
“ If a prescription is given , we encourage parents to be in control of the medications at all times . The parents should dispense the medication based on doctor ’ s orders and not more frequently unless advised by the prescribing doctor to do so .”
What are the signs of addiction ?
For the parent , we encourage folks to know some of the telltale signs of use , like dilated or constricted pupils , loss of interest in hobbies , changes in grades , friends , activities , or cash flow , and missing pills . Often parents know there is something not quite right . We encourage families to act quickly and seek a local counselor . Often times it will not be an addiction issue , but an opportunity to address the root cause before a dependence develops . The counselor will also help navigate the next steps if any are needed .
J . Sándor Cheka , III , Executive Director of the Addiction Prevention Coalition , strives to find ways that the community can work together to address the growing need for substance abuse issues . The organization was recognized by the Department of Health and Human Services as a “ coalition to model .” Rev . Cheka holds a B . S . from Samford University and two Masters degrees from Mercer University in Business Administration and Divinity .
For additional information and resources , visit www . addictionpreventioncoalition . org and www . thefocusprogram . com .
The NEW face of
HEROIN
16 | Fall 2016 www . potentialmagazine . com