Preventing Prescription Drug Misuse: 5 Tips for Patients

Prescription drugs play a vital role in healthcare. They’re essential for treating many different medical conditions, managing chronic illness, and alleviating pain. While they’re often used to improve the quality of life for many patients, they can be misused as well, resulting in serious health risks such as addiction and overdose.

The misuse of prescription drugs has become a significant public health problem over the past couple of years. Statistics show that around 16.3 million Americans misuse their prescription drugs every year, with the majority of them being painkillers, sedatives, and tranquilizers. Unfortunately, many of these patients don’t misuse the drugs on purpose. Instead, they develop a physical dependence because the drugs help to alleviate symptoms while also activating the brain’s reward center.

As such, patients must learn how to prevent the misuse of prescription drugs before taking them.

1. Understand Your Medication

It’s crucial to understand why you’re taking certain prescription drugs before you begin use. Understanding the purpose of the medications, your dosage, and the frequency with which you should be taking them will help you avoid going down the path of dependence. A healthcare professional should share this basic information with you.

Reading your medication’s label is also important, as it gives you a better understanding of the drug and how it works. This will inform you of any potential side effects, which you can address with the help of a healthcare professional should the need arise. 

In short, knowing what you’re taking and why you’re taking it will significantly improve your safety and avoid potential misuse.

2. Follow the Instructions

Adhering to the prescribed dosage and schedule when taking your prescription drugs is essential. Deviating from the schedule could put you at risk of developing an addiction or even causing a severe reaction that amplifies the side effects.

In order to avoid these risks, follow the instructions strictly and listen to the healthcare professional who prescribed you those drugs. If needed, set up reminders on your phone so that you know exactly when to take your medication, and include notes to help you remember your exact dosage. 

When initially prescribed drugs, be open and honest with your doctor. They can help to answer any questions you may have and help build your confidence in using the drug correctly. 

3. Safely Store and Dispose of Medications

Proper storage and disposal of your medication will prevent any unauthorized access or accidental ingestion. This is particularly important if you have children or pets in the house, as making them harder to access will reduce the chances of any potential accidents.

There are several easy ways to keep medications out of reach. One is to store them in locked cupboards and drawers or anywhere else pets and children cannot access.

It is also important to dispose of any unused or expired medications safely. Don’t just throw them in the trash or flush them down the toilet; try to utilize drug take-back programs for safer disposal so that the medication doesn’t end up in the wrong hands or potentially harm the environment. When in doubt, follow the FDA guidelines for safe medication disposal.

4. Avoid Sharing Medications

Sharing prescription medication is both dangerous and illegal. Even if you know someone with similar symptoms to you, they should see a healthcare provider and request their own prescription drugs. While their symptoms might be similar, the underlying condition may be different. You also have to consider any potential side effects they might experience compared to you. Additionally, other people may require different dosages.

Sharing medication can lead to issues such as overdoses, adverse reactions, or even legal consequences. As such, don’t offer your medication to others, no matter the situation. If someone ever asks you to share your medication, politely decline and explain the risks involved. It may be helpful to prepare a response if someone asks you to share your medication with them so you do not give in to social pressure.

5. Be Honest With Healthcare Providers

Open and honest communication with your healthcare providers regarding prescription medication is crucial. Sometimes, people may withhold information about the side effects of their prescription medication or the reasons why they’re taking them in the first place. This may be because they’re concerned about being judged by their healthcare providers or feel embarrassed to discuss any issues.

However, hiding information can be dangerous. It can cause someone to receive an incorrect treatment or to be given inappropriate adjustments to their dosage, which could lead to ineffective or harmful outcomes. Hiding the extent of one’s medication use can also increase the risk of overdose.

Whether you’re concerned about side effects or adverse reactions caused by your medication, you must communicate early and transparently with specialists.

Reach Out for Support

Preventing drug misuse involves understanding your medication and why it is needed for treatment, reading instructions carefully, and following them exactly. You should also be careful not to share medication with others and aim to maintain a clear and transparent line of communication with your healthcare provider.

If you or someone you know is struggling with prescription drug misuse or addiction, we urge you to seek help. Jackson House Addiction Treatment & Recovery Center offers comprehensive support and treatment options to those in need. Visit our treatment page or contact us directly to get the help you need.