medication abuse

Examines the toll of opioid addiction in the U.S. on individuals, families, and communities through personal stories, including a couple who lost their son to prescription painkillers, and expert commentary.

Explain that abused painkillers such as Oxycodone, Vicodin and methadone are responsible for more deaths than cocaine and heroin combined; that the fatalities have surpassed car crashes as the leading cause of accidental deaths in the United States. Viewers learn the dynamics of painkiller addiction and abuse through the personal stories of teens who have been hooked on legal pain killers. These teens describe the downward spiral of addiction that can eventually lead to death by overdose. Former users, physicians and drug education experts communicate the hard facts to viewers including how difficult it is for users to cope with withdrawal symptoms such as depression, anxiety, shakiness and lack of energy.

"Used medically, prescription and over-the-counter drugs can relieve pain, ease symptoms of diseases, and treat disorders. When abused, these drugs can be dangerous and even deadly. This title explores how prescription and over-the-counter drugs affect the body, the laws surrounding these drugs, and their impact on society"--Provided by publisher.

Presents information on the issue of club and prescription drug abuse.

"Chronicles America's more than twenty-year struggle with opioid addiction, from the introduction of OxyContin in 1996, through the spread of addiction in distressed communities in Central Appalachia, to the current national crisis"--OCLC.

"Journalist Beth Macy brings us to the next frontier of the opioid crisis, telling the story of the everyday heroes fighting to stem the tide of drug overdose in communities that are too often left to fend for themselves, and of the activists and relatives of the dead who are still struggling for accountability in America's courts"--Provided by publisher.

Discusses how drug abuse has become a public health issue in the United States.

"Introduces young readers to the dangers of Adderall addiction and shows ways that users have found help. Learn about the physical and mental effects of Adderall abuse and its negative impact on lives"--OCLC.

"The misuse and abuse of prescription drugs has reached epidemic proportions in recent years, yet many individuals still believe, incorrectly, that their use is without risk. This book explores those risks as well as controversies surrounding this public health issue"--Provided by publisher.

Americans spend more than 460 billion dollars on prescription drugs annually, according to the Department of Health and Human Services. Not all of this medication is helping us. Unnecessary and improper use of medication is responsible for an extremely high number of hospital visits and deaths each year. In addition, the cost of many medications can be prohibitive. Are we taking too many drugs? Why are prescription drugs in the United States so expensive? Does the pharmaceutical industry work for our best interest? The perspectives in this volume delve into the many facets of the controversies pertaining to prescription drugs.