Prevalence of Prescription Drug Abuse in the U.S.

The road to recovery can be long and difficult, but the reward is more than worth the journey. Prescription drug abuse continues to be a problem in the United States, and more and more people are turning to professionals in order to recover from addiction and start on a new life path. Understanding drug abuse and its effects can help you see the problem and inform you about what can be done to help yourself and your loved ones.

Drug abuse accounts for around $72 billion in medical costs each year. An estimated two million people in the U.S. suffer from substance abuse from opioids, and it can be difficult to rein in that number, as doctors wrote 207 million prescriptions in 2013 alone.

The most common prescriptions abused are opioids like Vicodin or OxyContin, as well as stimulants for ADHD, and central nervous system depressants for anxiety. Talking with your doctor during your visit will help you learn more about the risks associated with drug abuse and what you can do to break the addiction cycle.