Prescription drug abuse

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Preparing for your appointment

By Mayo Clinic staff

Your family doctor may be able to help you overcome a prescription drug abuse problem. However, if you have an addiction your family doctor may refer you to an addiction specialist or to a facility that specializes in helping people withdraw from drugs.

What you can do

  • Make a list of all the medications you're taking, including the amount of medicine in each dose and how often you take each one
  • Write down any symptoms you may be experiencing
  • Write down key personal information, including any major stresses or recent life changes

Questions to ask your doctor may include:

  • What are my treatment options?
  • Should I see a specialist?
  • How can we manage my other health conditions during treatment?

What to expect from your doctor
Your doctor will perform a physical exam and may ask some of the following questions:

  • How long have you had this problem?
  • What, if anything, prompted it?
  • How severe are your symptoms?
  • Do you have a past history of drug abuse or addiction?
  • Has anyone in your family had a history of drug abuse or addiction?
References
  1. Parran TV. Prescription drug abuse. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed May 11, 2010.
  2. NIDA InfoFacts: Prescription and over-the-counter medications. National Institute on Drug Abuse. http://www.drugabuse.gov/infofacts/PainMed.html. Accessed May 11, 2010.
  3. Prescription drugs facts and figures. Office of National Drug Control Policy. http://www.whitehousedrugpolicy.gov/drugfact/prescrptn_drgs/rx_ff.html. Accessed May 17, 2010.
  4. Prescription drug abuse chart. Office of National Drug Control Policy. http://www.drugabuse.gov/DrugPages/PrescripDrugsChart.html. Accessed May 11, 2010.
  5. Preventing and recognizing prescription drug abuse. National Institute on Drug Abuse. http://www.drugabuse.gov/researchreports/prescription/prescription6.html. Accessed May 11, 2010.
  6. McCabe SE, et al. Motives for nonmedical use of prescription opioids among high school seniors in the United States. Archives of Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine. 2009;163:739.
  7. Prescription drug abuse. Nemours. http://kidshealth.org/teen/drug_alcohol/drugs/prescription_drug_abuse.html. Accessed May 17, 2010.
  8. Youth risk behavior surveillance - United States, 2009. Center for Disease Control and Prevention. http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/pdf/ss/ss5905.pdf. Accessed June 8, 2010.
  9. Proper disposal of prescription drugs. Office of National Drug Control Policy. http://www.whitehousedrugpolicy.gov/publications/pdf/prescrip_disposal.pdf. Accessed May 11, 2010.
DS01079 June 25, 2010

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