The most recent National Survey on Drug Use and Health has indicated that, more than ever, Americans over the age of 12 are sliding into an overwhelming pattern of abuse, with those in their teens, 20s, and 30s representing the most problematic group.



An article posted on October 20th in the online newspaper American Chronicle notes that painkillers continue to be at the top of the list.  According to columnist Dr. Jim Kouri, who has been an on-air commentator for dozens of radio and television programs, Vicodin, Lortab, Lorcet, Percocet, Oxycontin, Percodan and Hydrocodone were the most often abused.  The overuse of Oxycontin carried the most alarming news, with abuses increasing by nearly fifty percent.

Tranquilizers, like Valium or Ativan, were the next most-highly abused category of prescription drugs with stimulants such as Ritalin and Adderall, often used for treating ADD or ADHD, following close behind.  Sleeping pills and other sedatives also appeared to be a significant concern.  Doctors are also worried about the millions who take potentially-addictive anti-depressants, anti-anxiety drugs, and anti-psychotics.

Kouri notes that an estimated 23 million Americans are dependent on prescription drugs. He also adds that internet drug sales and the ease in which Americans can buy drugs online has contributed to this serious situation, prompting the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency to crack down on the industry. 

Even more alarming, notes Kouri, is the fact that the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services notes that in the year 2003 (the last year for which facts have been compiled thus far), 20 million Americans who needed help with prescription drug abuse or other kinds of substance abuse did not receive that help.  Of those who did, many quit due to what they cited as lack of results.