Are Prescription Drugs Killing Your Parents?

When we think of problems with drug addiction, most of us think of illegal drugs like marijuana, cocaine, heroin, amphetamines, and so on. We also tend to associate drug abuse and addiction with young adults, not their parents. But the drug situation has changed – prescription drug addiction is now as common as with illegal drugs, and the person with the problem is just as likely to be the parent in the household as the child.

Unfortunately, kids who see prescription drugs in their parents’ medicine cabinets don’t often realize they could be looking at the evidence of drug addiction. They see pills given to their parents by the doctor and assume they’re safe.

They also assume that their doctor is not likely to prescribe drugs, nor are their parents likely to take them, unless they’re medically necessary.

Consequently, they don’t question their parents about what drugs they’re taking, how often, and why.

However, many medicine cabinets are filled with drugs like painkillers, sedatives, tranquilizers and amphetamines that, even though they were prescribed by a doctor, have dangerous side effects, can cause overdose, especially if combined, and are easily addictive.

Becoming physically dependent on these drugs, and even developing a full-blown prescription drug addiction, is fairly easy and is becoming more and more common.

People who suffer chronic pain from headaches or back problems, for example, can take painkillers for weeks, months or years. Those who suffer from chronic anxiety can do the same with sedatives, tranquilizers, and so on.

Under those circumstances, the chances of not becoming addicted are very slim.

Those who take these drugs for shorter term conditions can also become physically dependent and addicted. But, like chronic patients, they often don’t realize there’s a problem. When they try to stop taking the drugs they misinterpret their withdrawal symptoms as evidence that they still need the medication.

Someone who tries to stop taking Xanax for anxiety, for example, may experience anxiety when in withdrawal. They can also have panic attacks, tremors, heart palpitations, dizziness, fearfulness and a variety of uncomfortable physical problems. They may also start crying, shivering with fear, and have other unexplained emotions.

In fact, withdrawal from Xanax can make them feel like they’re going crazy. And it can last for months.

Since these symptoms are not often recognized as withdrawal, and since taking another pill makes them go away, the person will often just continue on the drug.

They’ve clearly developed a physical dependence, and may have also developed a psychological addiction. And, yes, prescription drug addiction carries all the same risks as addiction to illegal drugs, and can be even more dangerous.

Unfortunately, parents who are questioned by their kids about the drugs they’re taking often don’t respond honestly. They play down the situation in an effort to not alarm their children, or because they’re embarrassed. They also may already have tried to stop taking the drugs and, having experienced that agony, don’t want to admit there’s a problem since they may be forced to try to quit once again and go through the same physical and emotional pain.

Nevertheless, it’s important enough for kids to persist in finding out what’s really going on and, if it looks like there is an addiction problem, find help through an addiction treatment center.

Getting off drugs on your own is virtually impossible – no matter what your age. Only through the help and loving insistence of a friend or family member do most addicts manage to get into recovery. Do your parents a favor and keep an eye on them to make sure they’re safe.