Many Teens Overdose on Meds Prescribed for ADHD, Anxiety

In 2019 benzodiazepines like xanax and stimulants according to the U.S.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Adderall accounts for more than 700 and 900 overdose deaths. Respectively, in the United States. “In recent years, there has been a lot of attention to the addiction risks associated with benzodiazepines and stimulants. Diverted or illegally obtained,” said senior researcher Dr. Mark Olfson. He is a Professor of Psychiatry, Medicine, and Law at Columbia University Irving Medical Center in New York. “The new study serves as a reminder that prescription benzodiazepines and stimulants. Also, pose an overdose risk for patients who are prescribed them,” Olfson said.

Unfortunately, many of death from overdose. He added that intentional suicides are occurring among adolescents and young adults. Who has been prescribed these drugs? Finding result? Physicians and parents should be careful when prescribing and forcing their children to take these drugs. “Before prescribing benzodiazepines or stimulants to young people. Clinicians should assess the patient’s risk of self-harm and consider other treatment options. For young people who are at significant risk,” Olfson advised.

“Parents also play an important role in preventing suicidal behavior in their teens and young children,

Especially if the young person is going through a stressful period,” he added. “This may include that parents should be attentive to changes in the behavior of a teenager. Listen to them, provide support, and not be intrusive, accept suicidal threats seriously, and help them. Find professional help if needed.” For the study, Olfson and colleagues collected data on privately insured young adults aged 15 to 24. Who was seen in emergency rooms due to benzodiazepine or stimulant overdoses from 2016 to 2018? The researchers then determined which of these patients had a prescription for these drugs.

The researchers found that 29% of benzodiazepine overdose deaths were among young people. Who was prescribed the drug by a doctor a month before the overdose? As were 25% of those who died from a stimulant overdose. The results showed that among those who overdosed on benzodiazepines. 42% received a prescription in the last six months. As did 39% of those who died from a stimulant overdose. The researchers also found that those who deliberately overdosed on benzodiazepines and stimulants were more likely to have recent prescriptions for those drugs than those whose overdose was accidental.

The findings were published online on March 2 in the journal Pediatrics.

Pat Osem is Vice President of Consumer Clinical Content Development at the Addiction Recovery Partnership in New York. She said: “This has been the deadliest year on record as over 100,000 overdose deaths have been recorded in our country, the highest ever. Teenagers and young people were not spared. per annum increased by almost 50% between 2019 and 2020, and the death rate from drug overdose is steadily rising.” Having mental health problems This is one of the key risk factors for overdose in young people, Aussim says.

“The feelings of loneliness, isolation,

And anxiety caused by the pandemic have probably left many feeling hopeless,” she added. “The use of alcohol and other drugs, as well as the misuse of prescription and over-the-counter drugs, can be a way to cope with an illness or self-medicate.”Physicians should inform parents and patients not only of what the drug is used for and instructions for taking it, but also of the potential for misuse and overdose, and the risks of combining it with other substances such as alcohol or opioids, Aussem advised. .

“Counseling in addition to medication can promote healthier thinking and behavior.

It is also very important to take the time to really understand how the patient is feeling during follow-up visits,” she said. In addition, the United States continues to be flooded with counterfeit pills like Xanax and Adderall, in addition to painkillers like Vicodin and Percocet, Aussem said. “The US Drug Enforcement Administration reports that two out of every five pills they seize contain a potentially lethal dose. fentanyl,” she said. “Health professionals can educate young people about the risks of getting pills from a friend or off the street instead of or in addition to a legitimate pharmacy,” Museum added.

More information

To learn more about mental health and drugs, visit the Addiction Eradication Partnership page.