by Larissa Sullivan

Created on: April 03, 2008

Prescription drugs have become an extremely popular way to get high for teens (and adults). An advertisement currently shown on T.V. explains that parents should keep their prescriptions locked up because they are a choice drug, and if you, as a parent, have them, they are cheap and accessible for your teen.

Granted I am not a parent, I am only 16-years-old. I know from personal experience though, that even if an adolescent doesn't have a desire to try drugs, if a prescription drug, such as Lortabs or Oxycontin, is accessible to them, they become more curious and are more apt to try them.

I can't impress you, the reader, with specific, up-to-date statistics, but again from personal experience I can say, for a fact, that addiction can start straight from home.

I have a great family and support system, but no matter who's there for me, my depression can unfortunately get the best of me. Within the last year I had two bouts with Lortab addiction. Within the last two years, I have had 3 total. Which has nothing to do with my mothers' parenting, she has always taught my brothers and I better, and has trusted us.

When I was a freshman I tried them the first time, quickly became addicted, but landed myself in a hospital psych ward for about a week. A week may not seem like long to someone who hasn't been there, but I can honestly say that I felt I aged years in that place..

This last year with having the drugs around (my mom has gone through various surgeries for breast cancer), the temptation came back, and for awhile I was able to hold off. I DID NOT want to take my mothers' only form of relief from her constant pain. Almost as if I had a devil sitting on one shoulder and an angel on the other, like you see in cartoons, I was constantly debating taking the Lortabs. I was also having a difficult time with everything going on, and my mind almost made my whole body hurt so I would take just one, then just two. Eventually I was up to taking 10 at a time, which can be deadly.

Fortunately I worked my way out of my addiction along with some serious help from my mom. She hid or locked up the Lortabs. I really don't know for sure where they are, and I'm glad.

This isn't to say that they can't get them otherwise. A couple phone calls, and for about 3 dollars a pill for Lortabs, about 20 dollars for one low dose pill of Oxycontin. Without money, your teen can't get these without stealing or receiving and allowance or something. Like most people, teens don't like to spend money they earned from work on things they don't absolutely need, and unless they are truly addicted, a teen likely won't spend their work money on drugs.

Also, for some caution, I don't know how popular this is around you, but some kids I know like to "Robo-Trip". In other words, they like to get high off Robitussin. Teens are looking for new cheap ways to get high. To keep your teen safe, talk to them often and make sure they know that they can talk to you about anything, and that you will try to be as understanding as possible.

As a teen I want to say to you parents:
We know times are a lot different and you may not understand everything that goes on with us, as you know we won't understand everything that goes on with you. Just try and talk to us, put down whatever you're reading, turn off the T.V., don't always yell at us to clean or grow up. Talk to us before you yell, we may be having a bad day.

And teens, do the same for your parents, your life will go much easier.

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