Q: What is a pharm party?

A pharm party (or in drug slang terms , a pill party or skittles party) is a party where people, usually teenagers, come together to mix their prescription drugs in a bowl and take them at random to get high. While this idea was popularized in the media, no strong evidence has indicated that pharm parties actually happen. However, prescription drug abuse is a real concern, particularly among young adults.

Question 1

Where can I dispose of prescription drugs?

Heather Ware · Accepted Answer

Getting rid of unused prescription drugs is a great way to keep yourself and your family safe. To dispose of prescription drugs, you can attend a National Prescription Drug Take Back Day event, or you can simply visit the Drug Enforcement Administration's website. All you have to do is plug in your location, and they'll provide you with a place to safely dispose of your unwanted prescription medications!

Question 2

Is prescription drug abuse a problem in America?

Heather Ware · Accepted Answer

In a word: yes. Whether it's stimulants, opioids, or sedatives, prescription drug abuse has become a big problem in America. While anyone can develop a prescription drug addiction, adolescents and older adults are both at higher risk. For younger individuals, they may not realize the dangers of drug abuse, and they could have access to unused prescription medications at home.

And for older adults, the risk comes from access to many prescription medications due to health conditions, and in some cases a prescription drug addiction may begin with something as simple as a consistent dosing mistake.

Question 3

Why is prescription drug abuse so dangerous?

Heather Ware · Accepted Answer

Prescription drug abuse is often thought to be safe, but that's far from the truth. In reality, there are many dangers of prescription drug abuse. Some of the biggest ones are:

Overdose: As physical tolerance increases, it becomes easier and easier to justify taking more pills. The higher your tolerance, the greater risk that you'll take too many and experience an overdose, which can be fatal.
New Drugs: While most people insist that they will "only" abuse prescription medications, this is rarely true. It can be hard to find prescription drugs in the long term, so many people transition to readily available substitutes, like heroin and fentanyl.
Withdrawals: When your tolerance gets high enough, going any length of time without drugs can make you seriously ill. These are called withdrawals, and the symptoms range from horribly uncomfortable to deadly. For most people, withdrawals are what keep them abusing drugs long after the "fun" of getting high has gone away.

Question 4

What prescription drugs are most commonly abused?

Heather Ware · Accepted Answer

The most commonly abused prescription drugs varies from place to place. However, generally speaking, the top 10 most abused prescription drugs are:

OxyContin
Xanax
Vicodin
Suboxone
Adderall
Valium
Percocet
Ambien
Fentanyl
Klonopin

Question 5

What is a pharm party?

Heather Ware · Accepted Answer

A pharm party (or in drug slang terms, a pill party or skittles party) is a party where people, usually teenagers, come together to mix their prescription drugs in a bowl and take them at random to get high. While this idea was popularized in the media, no strong evidence has indicated that pharm parties actually happen. However, prescription drug abuse is a real concern, particularly among young adults.

Question 6

Does overdosing hurt?

Heather Ware · Accepted Answer

Generally, the symptoms of overdosing can range from deeply uncomfortable and distressing to painful. Many of the symptoms of overdosing, like intense headaches and vomiting, can be painful. Moreover, if you overdose and have to have your stomach pumped, that process is painful for some people. If you are considering overdosing as a means for suicide, you should immediately call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-8255. Your life has value and is worth protecting, and there are people who care who are ready to speak with you and offer help. Please go here for more information on overdosing

Question 7

What does an overdose do to your body?

Heather Ware · Accepted Answer

The exact mechanism of an overdose depends on the substance being abused, but generally an overdose overwhelms your body with too much of the drug. During a cocaine overdose, for example, you may experience raises in heart rate, blood pressure, body temperature, and your breathing. In general, an overdose takes whatever is enjoyable about a high and increases it so much that it becomes distressing and, in some cases, life-threatening.

Question 8

What causes an overdose?

Heather Ware · Accepted Answer

An overdose, as the name suggests, is when your body receives too much of a drug. While the specifics can vary depending on the substance, the idea is that too much of the drug stops key functions in your brain and/or body, which can endanger your health and may lead to death. For example, during an opioid overdose, opioid receptors in your brain may be so overwhelmed that they stop functioning, which can lead to troubled breathing and, eventually, death.

Question 9

What are the symptoms of overdose?

Heather Ware · Accepted Answer

Symptoms of overdose can vary depending on the substance. However, the most common symptoms of overdose are:

Erratic behavior and abrupt mood swings
Loss of consciousness
Nausea and vomiting
Loss of sensation and movement in limbs
Hallucinations and/or delusions
Trouble breathing
An overly fast or slow heartbeat
Seizures

Are Pharm Parties Real? Prescription Drug Abuse Facts

Florida Drug Overdose Deaths on the Rise: 2019 vs 2020

Black Tar Heroin: Withdrawals, Effects, and Recovery

What Is Fentanyl? Prescription Drug Abuse Facts
Fentanyl is a type of highly addictive opioid prescription drug that is similar to morphine

Suboxone and Medication-Assisted Treatment: Your Questions, Answered

Chronic Pain and Rehab: How to Manage Addiction and Health

Finding the Best Heroin Rehab Near Me

What Are the Most Effective Treatments for Opioid Addiction?

Opiates and The Brain: The Chemistry of Dependence

Get Help Now!

New Admissions Hotline

Accredited by the Joint Commission