Study finds that teens are more likely to abuse prescription medication than any other age group

A recent study by the University of Rochester shows that adolescents and young adults are most likely to abuse prescription drugs. However, researchers note that prescription rates for controlled medication have nearly doubled in the past 14 years.

The study found that individuals between the ages of 18 to 25 were prescribed a controlled substance one out of six visits to the doctor. Meanwhile, one out of nine doctor visits from teens yielded a prescription for medication that include painkillers and stimulants.

Researchers revealed that between 1994 and 2007 prescription rates for controlled medication almost doubled from 8.3 to 16.1 percent among young adults and from 6.4 to 11.2 percent in adolescents. These controlled medications were found to be prescribed for common conditions such as headaches and back pain.

Programs for troubled youth can help teens who suffer from prescription drug addiction by providing education on the negative effects of using medication recreationally and designing recreational activities to achieve behavioral success.

According to a 2008 survey by the National Institute of Drug Abuse, nearly 10 percent of student in grade 12 reported using prescription painkillers recreationally.