Resources for Public
Prescription drug misuse is a problem. See yourself as part of the solution.
If you have ever shared your prescription medication with a co-worker, family member, classmate, or friend, you may be part of the prescription drug abuse problem.
ALAHOPE
Welcome to the Alabama Health Professionals' Opioid and Pain Management Education, known as ALAHOPE. ALAHOPE is a product of the Prescribers and Dispensers Committee of the Alabama Opioid Overdose and Addiction Council. This work has been a collaboration of the Jefferson County Department of Health, the Department of Health Services Administration at the University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Health Professions and the Alabama Board of Medical Examiners.
Free continuing education credit is available for ALAHOPE courses. Please see the individual course for additional information.
Raising Awareness of Opioid Addiction
FBI, DEA Release Documentary Aimed at Youth
Every day, the nation's law enforcement agencies at the local, state, and federal levels - including the FBI and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) - use investigative resources to target the supply side in the war against drugs.
But even with numerous law enforcement successes in this area, the demand for drugs continues. And one of the more worrisome trends is a growing epidemic of prescription opiate and heroin abuse, especially among young people.
In an effort to help educate students and young adults about the dangers of opioid addition, the FBI and DEA unveiled a documentary called Chasing the Dragon: The Life of an Opiate Addict. The 45-minute film, whose title refers to the never-ending pursuit of the original or ultimate high, features stark first-person accounts told by individuals who have abused opioids or whose children have abused opioids, with tragic consequences.
How big is the prescription drug abuse problem?
- In 2023, among people aged 12 or older, 3% (or 8.6 million people) misused prescription pain relievers in the past year.
- Among people aged 12 or older in 2023, who misused prescription pain relievers in the past year, 39.1% obtained the pain relievers the last time from a friend or relative in some way (i.e., being given them, buying them, or taking them without asking), and 47% obtained pain relievers the last time through prescriptions or stole pain relievers from a healthcare provider, typically getting the pain relievers through a prescription from one doctor (44.3%).
- CDC estimates 81,083 people died from an opioid overdose in 2023.
- Many teens believe that prescription drugs are much safer than illegal street drugs since they are prescribed by a physician.
- Because it is cheaper, heroin has become the drug of choice for many who have become addicted to opioid pain relievers.
Connect Alabama
Connect Alabama, a behavioral health services and treatment finder application, provides individuals instant access to education, information and services related to substance use, mental health, and prevention. The app is funded through a partnership of the Alabama Department of Public Health, Alabama Department of Mental Health, and is created and managed by VitAL of the University of Alabama School of Social Work.
"Connect Alabama is an important tool, offering fast and reliable service to someone looking for help. It may take an individual many years to simply reach out for help with mental health issues or a substance use disorder. We need as many avenues as possible for an individual to seek treatment and information, when they are ready to take the next step toward recovery," said ADMH Commissioner Kimberly Boswell.
A special feature of the acpp is functionality even if internet or data are not available. The application has built-in static information that is accessible anytime, without access to data or internet and will update as service and data become available for the user.
Help is Available!
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
Treatment Facility Locator
1-800-662-HELP
Council on Substance Abuse (COSA) - NCADD
Call 1-877-HELP (1-877-435-7425) or visit the COSA website
Recovery Organization of Support Specialists (R.O.S.S.) 24/7 Helpline - call 1-844-307-1760
U.S. Food and Drug Administration
Drug Disposal: What you should know!
Prescription Drug Misuse and Abuse
- Prescription drug misuse is taking a medication in a manner other than that prescribed or for a different condition than for which the medication was prescribed.
- Prescription drug abuse is the intentional and inappropriate use of prescription drugs for purposes other than that prescribed, or in a manner or in quantities other than directed.
- Abuse of prescription drugs stems from the ease of availability, the lack of stigma associated with street drugs, and the false belief they are safe to use.
- Download educational material on prescription drug misuse and abuse
What You Can Do to Prevent Drug Misuse and Abuse
- Never share prescription medication.
- Never accept prescription medication that is not prescribed by your doctor.
- When visiting the doctor, provide a complete medical history and a description of the reason for the visit to ensure that the doctor understands the complaint and can prescribe appropriate medication.
- Keep your doctor informed about all medications you are taking, including over-the-counter medications and dietary and herbal supplements.
- Take your medication(s) as prescribed. Follow the directions for use carefully.
- Read the information your pharmacist provides before starting to take medications to learn about the effects that the drug could have, especially during the first few days when your body is adapting to the medication.
- Ask your doctor or pharmacist about your medication, especially if you are unsure about its effects and to be aware of potential interactions with other drugs.
- Do not increase or decrease doses or abruptly stop taking a drug without first consulting a health care provider. Never use another person's prescription.
Common Signs of Drug Abuse
Physical Symptoms
- Bloodshot or glazed eyes
- Dilated or constricted pupils
Runny nose or sniffling- Tremors, slurred speech, or impaired coordination
- Sudden weight loss or weight gain
- Changes in appetite or sleep patterns
- Wearing inappropriate or dirty clothing and a lack of interest in personal grooming
Behavioral Symptoms
- Sudden mood swings, increased irritability, or angry outbursts
- Unexplained changes in attitude/personality
- Lethargy
- Depression
- Sudden changes in a social network
- Neglecting responsibilities at work, school, or home, including neglecting one's children
- Involvement in criminal activity
Take the CAGE Test
Assessing Prescription Drug Use Problems - Four Simple Questions
- Have you ever felt the need to Cut down on your use of prescription drugs?
- Have you ever felt Annoyed by
remarks your friends or loved ones made about your use of prescription drugs? - Have you ever felt Guilty or remorseful about your use of prescription drugs?
- Have you Ever used prescription drugs as a way to "get going" or to "calm down?"
Two or more affirmative answers may indicate probable drug addiction. Any single affirmative answer deserves further evaluation. Please discuss the results with your doctor or other
Adapted from Ewing, J.A. "Detecting Alcoholism: The CAGE Questionnaire." Journal of the American Medical Association 252 (14):1905-1907, 1984.
Did You Know?
- Older patients are more likely to be prescribed long-term and multiple prescriptions, which could lead to unintentional misuse.
- Youth who use other drugs are more likely to abuse prescription medications.
- Young teens are statistically more likely to abuse only prescription drugs.
- Studies suggest that women are more likely than men to be prescribed an abusable prescription drug, particularly narcotics and anti-anxiety drugs. Research has shown that women are at increased risk for non-medical use of narcotic drugs.
- Substance abuse and addiction cost billions in health care dollars each year. To that, add the costs of lost productivity, law enforcement, criminal case processing, incarceration, countless ruined lives, and premature death.
National Awareness Programs
- National Institute on Drug Abuse
- National Recovery Month (SAMHSA)
- The Partnership at DrugFree.org
- Information for Consumers (FDA)
Surgeon General
Applying CDC's Guideline for Prescribing Opioids
Page last updated: September 9, 2024
