Prescription medications are common, with most families having at least one in their house for specific medical needs. This might include medications for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), pain relief, anxiety or sleep troubles, amongst many other medical conditions.
When taken as prescribed for the specific medical condition intended for, these drugs are generally safe. But unfortunately, hospitals and medical offices see thousands of young patients yearly who have taken controlled prescription medications incorrectly — sometimes with deadly results.
AAP policy explained
A clinical report from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), “Nonmedical Use of Controlled Medications by Adolescents and Young Adults,” points to the risks of nonmedical use of prescription medications among tweens, teens and young adults. Here‘s what parents need to know about the risks, along with steps they can take to protect their kids.
Commonly Misused Prescription Medications
Incorrect use of prescription medications can start at any age, but is more often seen in young people from middle school through young adulthood. The medications usually involved are:
- Stimulants, including ADHD medicines prescribed to help with energy and focus
- Sedatives, including prescriptions for anxiety or sleep
- Pain relievers, especially opioids
Prescription medications may have strong, harmful ingredients when they’re not taken exactly as directed. Young people may assume or be told by a peer that they are safe. Or even worse, they may be given a perfect copycat drug- right down to the pharmacy bottle and printed label- that is laced with something more dangerous, like fentanyl.
Signs of Prescription Drug Misuse to Look Out For
The best way to protect your child is to know what risks they may take with prescription medications. Here are some major concerns from health experts:
- Taking someone else’s prescription medication. For example, your child may be tempted to try pain medication prescribed for a family member or friend who recently had surgery or a serious injury.
- Sharing their own prescription with others. Your child might give or offer a dose of ADHD or anxiety medications to a friend thinking it might help with their school performance or text anxiety.
- Taking more medication than prescribed. Kids might change the medications directions if they think it will help them perform better, lose weight or sleep better.
- Using prescription drugs for the feelings they might give, not the intended medical treatment. This could mean taking prescriptions hoping to have fun, relax, get a sudden burst of energy or take a break from painful thoughts.
How would my child get caught up in this pattern?
It can be shocking and even unbelievable that your child would even think about abusing prescription medications. But they are young, and have limited life experiences to teach them the dangers. Their brain will continue growing and developing until they are at least 24 years old, so their reasoning skills are not yet fully functional.
It also helps to be mindful of the challenges your child may face such as:
- Peer pressure to fit in with friends and classmates
- Expectations to perform well in school, sports, or other extracurriculars
- Fear and anxiety overtaking their minds all day which leads to
- Trouble falling and staying asleep
- Undiagnosed or untreated medical conditions
Imagine an athlete who gets hurt, but hides it to avoid being benched or kicked off the team. Or even a student struggling with their school work who is too embarrassed to admit that they need help. For these young people, it may seem that abusing prescription medications is the only solution.
10 Tips to Protect Your Child from Prescription Abuse
1. Be open to non-judgmental conversation.
Make sure they know that you love them and are concerned for them. Don’t start the conversation with anger or judgment. “I want to talk to you because I love you, and I want to understand what you’re going through.”
2. Let them talk without interrupting.
Listen to what they have to say first. Make your child feel safe telling you anything that is on their mind. Most children just want to feel seen and heard. Ask if they’ve ever seen others or gotten involved themselves in prescription medication sharing or abuse. (See “How to talk about ADHD medication sharing,” below.)
3. Be honest, and tell them the facts.
Emphasize that prescriptions are meant ONLY for the person the doctor is treating and only for the condition they are prescribed to treat. It’s never safe to assume that one person’s medication is okay for someone else or that using a medication in a way that it is not intended is safe or helpful in any way. Many prescription meds are controlled substances, so let them know that it is illegal to share them.
4. Keep prescriptions in a safe, secure place.
All medications, prescription AND over-the-counter, should be stored in a safe place. Don’t put them in easily accessible places such as bedroom drawers, low or open kitchen shelves and counters. Always keep controlled medications in a locked cabinet. Choose a secure place then keep the key or combination in a secure spot.
5. Supervise your child’s medications.
If your child takes prescription medications, carefully follow the doctor’s directions for use. With younger children, such as middle schoolers, it’s best to give them the medicine yourself and watch as they swallow it. Talk to your school’s nurse about safe dispensing and storage at school.
As your child moves toward high school and adult life, teach them to handle their own medications responsibly. Gradually let them take responsibility for it, long before they leave home, so you can support them through any challenges.
6. Ask your pediatrician about naloxone.
If you, your child, or someone else in your household takes prescription opioids, naloxone should be in your first aid kit. In 2019, there were nearly 700 prescription opioid overdose deaths in people ages 15 to 24 years in the U.S. Naloxone is a rescue drug that can reverse the effects of an opioid drug and prevent overdose deaths. Many doctors suggest keeping it on hand for emergency use, whether or not there are opioids in your home.
7. Properly dispose of all unused medicines.
Ask your child’s provider for local safe places to drop off old, expired, or leftover medications. Many neighborhood drugstores and hospitals offer safe disposal of medications. In some cases, you can flush medications down the toilet or mix them with food waste (like coffee grounds) and toss them in the trash. It’s an extra step, but keeping your family safe is worth it. Learn more about disposal of prescription meds here.
8. Be a good example.
If you use prescriptions medications, model safe and responsible use. Your child is more likely to make healthy choices if they see those around them making them too.
9. Make regular medical checkups a priority.
Many controlled substances require regular checkups. Your child’s provider can help you recognize signs of potential drug misuse. Attending these checkups can help you work together to keep your child safe.
10. If you see signs of misuse, get immediate help.
If you are concerned that your child may be misusing prescription medications, don’t wait to talk to them. Contact your pediatrician or family doctor right away. This will likely lead to difficult conversations, arguments, or resentment with your child. Remember that taking these steps will help your child and may even save their life. And remind your child that you love them, you are there for them, and that you are concerned about their health.
How to talk about ADHD medication sharing
ADHD is often treated with prescription stimulant medications. Unfortunately, they’re also the most commonly abused. If your child is prescribed a stimulant for ADHD, talk with them about the serious risks that come with sharing their medications. As the conversation unfolds, remind them you care about their health and safety. Consider mentioning:
- Sharing your meds can hurt someone. When young people take medications that were not prescribed to them, or take higher or more frequent doses of them, it can result in very bad reactions such as a dangerously fast heartbeat, a sudden panic attack, even suicidal thoughts or actions. These can lead to serious, life-altering injuries or even death.
- It’s illegal. Nearly all ADHD medicines are controlled substances, meaning that federal law prohibits distributing these drugs to anyone but the one prescribed them. Talk to your child about the lifelong impact of having an arrest on their record—and remind them it’s never worth it.
- Your own health comes first. Help your child accept their ADHD diagnosis and educate them on the medication they’re taking and how it helps them. They’re much less likely to give it away if they’re aware of it’s impact and importance to their own health.
- You can say no. Many young people say it’s hardest to refuse when a close friend begs for “just one pill.” Being prepared for this situation makes it less stressful. Give example replies like: “Sorry, I need every dose to manage my symptoms,” or “If something bad happened to you, I’d never forgive myself,”.
If you see signs of prescription medication misuse—for example, running out of doses before scheduled refills, repeatedly “losing” meds, or more obvious symptoms than usual—talk with your child immediately and don’t hesitate to contact your child’s pediatrician for resources and support.