Teen Prescription Drug Abuse Years ago, the common image of a teenage drug addict was a teenager trying to escape reality by using illegal substances like cocaine, heroin or marijuana. Today, there is a big gap between this perception and the reality of who is at risk of abusing drugs. A teenage drug addict may need to look no further than his or her parents' pharmacy to "score." Prescription drug abuse among adolescents is on the rise. Additionally, adolescents turn to prescription medications to meet needs other than to feel good or escape the pressures of adulthood. Teenagers may be just as likely to rely on drugs with "quick" side effects, like Ritalin, to help them study longer, as they are to use prescription painkillers to disconnect from reality. The pressures on teenagers are increasing, from doing well in sports to getting good grades to get into a good university (Pressure on Teens Today, 2008, The Anti-Drug). Additionally, because prescription medications are prescribed by doctors, they are less likely to be considered harmful to adolescent health. Lack of awareness of the problem on the part of adolescents, parents, and society in general, overmedication in the United States, and the increased stress and pressures placed on adolescents in the modern world have all conspired to create the growing problem. prescription medications. abuse by adolescents. “According to drug abuse prevention experts, this behavior is significantly different from using drugs like marijuana or cocaine…The goal of many young adults is not to get high but to feel better - less depressed, less stressed, more focused, better rested. It's just that the easiest way to get there often seems to be to take medications for which they don't have a prescription" (Harmon 2005, p.1) According to partners...... middle of the article..... Post about .ership fried eggs. (2008). Partnership for a Drug-Free America. Retrieved November 5, 2008 from http://www.drugfree.org/Portal/About/NewsReleases/Fried_Egg_MessagePerformance-enhancingdrogues and your adolescent athlete. (2008). The Mayo Clinic. Accessed November 5, 2008, from http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/performance-enhancing-drugs/SM00045Prescription Drug Abuse: A Serious Problem. (2008). Partnership for a Drug-Free America. Accessed November 5, 2008, from http://www.drugfree.org/portal/drugissue/features/prescription_medicine_misuse#Pressures on Today's Adolescents. (2008). anti-drugs. Accessed November 5, 2008, from http://www.theantidrug.com/advice/pressions-on-teens.asp Your brain's response to drugs. (2008). Adolescent growth. Retrieved November 5, 2008 from http://www.teengrowth.com/index.cfm?action=info_article&ID_article=1372&category=Danger&catdesc=Danger&subdesc=Drugs