Pacific Hills Treatment Centers, Inc., a premier drug rehabilitation program offers timely advice for parents of opiate-dependent young people
Teens and Their Families Should Know About the Dangers of Prescription Painkillers

A recent study released by the Partnership for a Drug-Free America states that one in five American teenagers has abused a prescription painkiller. With the escalation of prescription drug abuse among youth, Pacific Hills Treatment Centers challenges parents to educate themselves as to the problem and the related harms associated with painkiller medications.

While the administering of opiates for the management of pain is common among medical professionals, many teens, addicted innocently then, turn to recreational use of the prescription painkillers. Pacific Hills instructs parents to be informed as to the consequences so that they can make more intelligent, informed decisions as to how to recognize and head off addiction problems.

Pacific Hills offers the following suggestions:

1. Confront Denial. Among youths and adults, non-medical use of prescription painkillers ranked second only to marijuana in illicit drug use according to the 2002 National Survey on Drug Use and Health.

2. Prescribed drugs are as harmful as street drugs. Painkillers such as Oxycodone are synthetic opiates, the family of drugs from which heroin is derived.

3. Drug usage always escalates. Children as young as 13-15 years old can easily graduate from abusing Oxycontin to abusing heroin.

4. Learn from the headlines. Take advantage of news incidents to talk to young people.

5. Look for changes in behavior and emotions. Signs to look for are social withdrawal, desensitized emotions (indifference or disinterest in things that previously brought them pleasure) and increased inactivity.


6. Look for change in hygiene. Glazed eyes may indicate an underlying problem.

7. Monitor prescriptions and usage closely. This includes all prescribed drugs in the home.


8. Trust Your Instincts. If you suspect that a family member is abusing prescription drugs, consult his or her doctor or seek the professional offered at drug rehab centers immediately.


About Pacific Hills Treatment Centers

Each month thousands of calls are made to the call center at Pacific Hills Treatment Centers where individuals and parents seek information regarding the use and abuse of prescribed drugs. Known for their expertise in dual diagnosis cases, Pacific Hills draws on the experience and credential of their medically trained staff in extending information, resource and hope for the suffering family member. Call today to get your loved one back. 1-800-662-2873


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