Most Common Prescription Drugs Abused by Teenagers in the US

Prescription drug addiction is becoming a common problem among teenagers that needs to be addressed. In order to address this concern, it is essential for the parents and everyone else involved with the teenager to get enough information on the nature of prescription drug addiction. Everything else, including intervention, prescription drug testing and rehabilitating the affected teenager, flows from there.

One step towards gathering information on what prescription drug abuse is all about is by knowing the most common prescription drugs abused by teenagers, at least in the United States.

1. Narcotics. Narcotics, also known as painkillers, are prescribed by doctors to manage pain.

2. Sedatives. Sedatives are used mainly to treat sleeping disorders and anxiety.

3. Stimulants. Stimulants are usually prescribed to treat conditions like ADHD, asthma, sleep disorders and narcolepsy.

Given these three major classifications of prescription drugs, the following are the five most commonly abused prescription drugs by teenagers today.

1. Vicodin. Vicodin is an analgesic painkiller that contains paracetamol and hydrocodone and it is often prescribed to manage acute pain. Distribution of this drug is heavily regulated by the US government. The slang used by junkies who distribute it is "happy pills" or "vikes."

2. Valium. Valium is one of the brand names by which the drug diazepam is known for. It is a sedative synonymous with the term "sleeping pill." Doctors prescribe valium to patients with anxiety, sleeping disorders, muscle spasms and other conditions.

3. Xanax. Xanax is the drug commonly prescribed to patients with severe depression or anxiety disorders and panic attacks. Its generic name is alprazolam, but the street slang for it is "totem poles."

4. Ritalin. Known on the streets as "kiddy cocaine" and "Vitamin R," Ritalin is a brand name for methylphenidate. Methylphenidate is a stimulant and a common ingredient in drugs used to treat ADHD, daytime drowsiness and chronic fatigue syndrome.

5. Dexedrine. Dexedrine is one of the many brand names of drugs containing amphetamines. It is a stimulant that is meant to treat patients with chronic fatigue syndrome.

The drugs listed above can be bought only with the correct prescription. However, many teenagers get their hands on these prescription drugs by stealing the pills prescribed for their parents or their siblings, or given to them by their friends. If any member of the family is prescribed these drugs and the pills or tablets suddenly go missing, it is one sign of teenage prescription drug abuse.

Dealing with a teenager who is displaying signs of prescription drug abuse is very tricky. It often leads to emotional confrontations between the angry teenager and the anxious parents.

Nonetheless, it is important for the parents to remain calm when dealing with their teenager who is showing symptoms of prescription drug addiction. Parents should impress upon the teenager that they are intervening out of love and not out of any desire to meddle. It is also essential for parents who are dealing with teenage children facing prescription drug abuse to show their children that they are people worthy of trust.

About the Author

Lena Butler, the author of Home Testing Kits a longer version of this article is located at Caffeine Testing: How Much Caffeine is in My Drink?, and resources from other home health and wellness testing articles are used such as Instant Caffeine Test Strips.

The Rare Sleeping Disorder Of Narcolepsy

Narcolepsy, a relatively rare sleep disorder, causes people to fall asleep when they do not want to. This is caused by a neurological disorder. The brain sends signals to the body that are sleep inducing; however, they are sent at inappropriate and unpredictable times. Often it happens when a person is involved in a quiet activity, such as watching a movie or during a meeting. Sometimes a person with this sleep disorder falls asleep while driving, which is obviously extremely dangerous. Others fall asleep while they are eating or talking. The overwhelming need to sleep can come at any hour of the day during any activity.

People suffering with narcolepsy often do not realize how sleepy they are, nor how often they fall asleep. It is often a family member, friend or coworker that convinces them that they need to seek medical help for their sleep disorder.

Narcolepsy has five main symptoms. These are excessive daytime sleepiness, insomnia and fragmented sleep, sleep paralysis, cataplexy and hypnagogic hallucinations. Some people with this sleep disorder experience only one symptom but others can experience all five.

Excessive daytime sleepiness is generally the first symptom to appear. Everyone with narcolepsy has this symptom. The feeling of needing to sleep is so strong that sufferers are unable to fend it off, regardless of how hard they try. These sleep attacks, as they are usually called, can happen several times and last for five to ten minutes.

Insomnia and fragmented sleep are a very common symptom of this sleep disorder. People with narcolepsey often have a very difficult time falling asleep at night, even though they fall asleep easily throughout the day. When they do fall asleep at night they wake up often and do not follow a typical REM / non REM sleep pattern.

Sleep paralysis occurs in about half of the people that suffer from this sleep disorder. For several minutes before falling to sleep or waking up, the person with this symptom cannot talk or move.

The loss of muscle function while awake is cataplexy. These episodes are usually very short in length. Over half of the people with narcolepsy experience this symptom of this sleep disorder. They are caused by a part of REM not functioning correctly. Often, episodes are brought on by anger, laughter or any other strong emotion. Sometimes knees buckle, necks and jaws become weak or the person may fall to the ground. Even though the person looks like they are asleep and cannot talk, they are fully awake and aware of what is happening.

A hypnagogic hallucination is experiencing very vivid and often frightening sounds, images or physical sensations. These occur from dreams just before the person is falling asleep or waking up. It is very difficult for a person with this sleep disorder to distinguish between the dream and reality. These hallucinations often have very dangerous themes and are extremely frightening. Often they are accompanied by sleep paralysis.

There are also several lesser symptoms of narcolepsy. These include blurred vision, migraine headaches, memory or concentration problems and automatic behavior. An apostate of automatic behavior can last for several minutes. During that time a person with this sleep disorder will perform a routine task. The task is often done incorrectly, such as placing a turkey in the dishwasher or writing past the end of a page.

Narcolepsy can be diagnosed and treated with various drugs. If left untreated this sleep disorder can ruin a person's life.

About the Author

Learn about ways to increase fertility, antiviral herbs and other information at the Health And Nutrition Tips site.

What is REM Sleep Disorder?

When we sleep, we go through distinct sleep stages, during which our brain and body activities differ. Each sleep stage is important for a healthy, restful night's sleep.

During the stage known as Rapid Eye Movement (REM) sleep, our bodies are paralysed, but our brains are highly active, processing and sorting information and experiences we gathered throughout the day. It's during REM sleep that we dream. We cycle through REM sleep around four-five times per night.

For some reason, the people who suffer from REM disorder don't remain paralysed during REM sleep, allowing them to "act out" their dreams as though they were awake. They may talk, yell, punch, run around, pick up objects, kick, throw themselves out of bed, and any manner of activities required in their dream.

Scientists are still studying the causes of REM Sleep Disorder. In around 50% of cases, the cause of the sleep disorder is withdrawal from alcohol of sedative drugs. But in other cases, the cause is unknown, although studies show it usually affects older people who often develop Parkinson's disease after the onset of REM Sleep Disorder.

Although the outbursts are usually directed at imaginary "dream" antagonists, a person with REM Sleep Disorder might unwittingly cause damage to themselves or others. Measures can be taken to undermine the risk: a bedroom on the ground floor, a padded bed head, placing cushions around the bed and removing dangerous objects from the bedroom.

The sometimes-violent motions of an REM Sleep Disorder patient can be frightening for anyone sharing their bedroom. If your partner or roommate expresses concern about your nightly behaviours, you should see a doctor immediately. You may need to undergo a neurological examination or a polysomnographic video examination at a sleep study centre.

Even though REM Sleep Disorder can seem quite scary, it is treatable. If you're worried about abnormal sleep patterns, see you doctor immediately.

For more information about sleeping problems and sleeping disorders you can visit the Sleep and Insomnia Guide

About the Author

The Sleep and Insomnia Guide is a collaboration of authors who are constantly looking out for the latest information to do with insomnia and sleeping disorders. Whilst not experts on the matter they have each been affected by sleep disorders themselves or someone they know has. The Insomnia and Sleep Guide is kept up to date with regular articles as well as submitted for others to share and use.