Detecting Prescription Drug Abuse

A good sense of smell goes a long way in determining if your teen is using alcohol or smoking marijuana, but it probably won’t help if prescription drugs are involved.Mary Bono Mack got my attention when she was on the talk-show circuit last week talking about her son’s drug addiction, noting that the lack of telltale odors made it more difficult to tell that he was using. There is a long list of well known families who have suffered with drug abuse and addiction, but this doesn’t only happen in famous families….it happens next door. Do you know that more teens abuse prescription drugs than any other drug except marijuana? How can parents tell if kids are abusing prescription drugs?

An excellent resource, PARENTS:theAntiDrug.com website shares some signs and symptoms that your teen might be abusing prescription and/or over-the-counter (OTC) drugs. They include:

constricted pupils,

slurred speech,

or flushed skin.

Parents should be alert to the following:

personality changes,

mood swings,

irritability,

excessive energy,

sleepiness

avoiding sleep,

sweating,

loss of appetite,

forgetfulness,

clumsiness.

Their website offers an innovative interactive house tour, impactful video messages, resources and conversation tips for parents. In addition, they have asked me to share this Q & A with you:

Q&A with Karen Reed, spokesperson for the American Pharmacists Association

Q: I hear about kids taking various pills – uppers, downers, painkillers, etc., that have been prescribed for their parents. What can those drugs do to teens who have not been prescribed those medications?

A: It is always difficult to predict what type of reaction teens will have to medication not prescribed for them, especially when we don’t know the dose they will abuse — and if it will be taken with other drugs or alcohol. Uppers can cause hostility, paranoia, or seizures. These drugs can affect motor skills, impair judgment, and affect the heart. Downers and painkillers can decrease concentration, impair judgment, and slow motor skills. Taking downers and painkillers in excess can also cause sedation and seizures. Imagine a teen driver under the influence of these drugs driving a motor vehicle — this combination could prove deadly as well.

Q: We keep cold, cough, and other over-the-counter medications in the house. What is the best way to monitor those medications?

A: Over-the-counter medications are safe and effective for some people when used properly under a medical professional’s guidance. However, the ingredients, when abused, can be taken to get high. Therefore keep them in limited quantities and monitor their use as you would a prescription drug. Never use them to help your teen or yourself sleep. Children (regardless of their age) mimic adult behavior. Be a good role model and never abuse OTC products yourself.

Q: My child has prescribed medications she takes regularly. How do I ensure those pills are not abused?

A: Keep track of the number of pills that should be on hand. Keep track of refills, lost pills, and request for refills. Paying close attention to use will help prevent abuse.

Q: My son tells me his friends take pills that aren’t theirs and sometimes take them when they’re drinking alcohol. What is the resulting effect and what can I tell him to scare him away from experimenting?

A: No one, adults or teens, should take medication with alcohol. Teens who are taking medication that is not prescribed for them are probably also taking excessive doses. And mixing that medication with alcohol could prove deadly for teenagers. The effect of the medication could be intensified, causing the teen to stop breathing or have a seizure that could be fatal. If this practice is combined with driving, others could be injured as well. The combination of medication and alcohol could lead to poor judgment that could cause serious injuries or worse. Teenagers often feel invincible. The combination of drugs and alcohol may intensify this belief.

Q: What are some of the signs I can look for if I suspect my teen has been abusing prescription drugs?

A: It is easy for parents to miss prescription drug abuse because mood changes, temper outbursts, changes in sleeping habits and interests are typical teenage behaviors. You can smell alcohol and tobacco and marijuana — you can’t smell pills. Watch for changes in grooming, habits, and interests. Watch for negative changes in school work, school attendance, and declining grades. Watch for increased secrecy, changes in friends, and increased needs for money. Monitor your own prescription drugs and encourage friends and family to do the same.

Karen L. Reed, the American Pharmacists Association’s national spokesperson for American Pharmacists Month.