This is a screen reader for the simulation Prescription Drug Misuse, which is a simulation where you learn strategies for handling a request for your prescription medication. You’ll learn the basics about prescriptions and different medication types, and the risks of misuse. You’ll also hear about ways to help a friend out who is misusing prescription medications, and alternative strategies to deal with issues that are a part of real life.
Pic 0: A title card appears which reads “Prescription Stimulant Misuse” before transitioning to a screen with a young man in front of a blue background.
WES: Hi, I’m Wes. I’m a third year bio major. I guess something interesting about me? Oh, when I was 12, I switched my after school sport from soccer to archery. I don’t hunt animals or anything, it just helps me clear my mind and focus.
But what you really need to know about me is “I’m That Guy” who loves helping people out. Spend all Saturday moving my buddy’s furniture up three flights of stairs? I'm so there! I guess it just feels good to know I helped someone.
But I’ve had to draw a line sometimes, like when a friend asked me to have one or two of my pills that I take for A.D.H.D. Honestly, it wasn’t a huge favor, but I was caught off guard and I made up an excuse.
He offered to give me a few bucks, and even reassured me that he’d tried it before and knew it worked for him. I thought, “If he’s so sure it works for him, why doesn’t he have his own prescription?”
But this wasn’t the first time I was asked to share a prescription. Ok, so a few years back, I broke a rib in a car accident. The doctor prescribed some painkillers, and she didn’t give me that many pills at once, she said they could be dangerous if misused.
Still, I didn’t take them all and had a few left over. I didn’t even think to ask my doctor what to do with the leftovers, but my friends asked about it and had some ideas.
Pic 1: The text “Prescriptions” appears under Wes, with the ‘O’ in the word replaced by a pill.
WES: There was so much I didn’t know back then about how prescriptions worked. Like, why it seems like my A.D.H.D pills help me, but not everyone. Or why the doctor only wanted me to take those pain pills for a few days. So, I decided to do some research.
Take a moment to reflect on your own experiences with medications.
People have different experiences with medication. Here’s some of the basics I found out about prescription medications, if it helps.
Pic 2: The screen transitions to one titled “Prescriptions” with an image of two different kinds of pills, with the following information:
Pic 3: This slide is titled “Read the labels.”
WES: Usually a doctor or your prescriber will tell you what you need to know before giving you a prescription. But it’s a lot. How much to take and when, whether to take it with water, milk, food or on an empty stomach, whether you can drink alcohol while on the medicine, or drive. I'm not going to remember all that and maybe the doctor didn’t even say everything. If I keep my pills in the original bottle, with the label, I can always check that info.
Pic 4: This slide contains an example label, pointing out where different information can be found on the label.
The contact information number can be found at the top right of the label.
Patient name and address is on left side. Underneath are the directions and the drug/description. Beneath this is the quantity and expiration date.
Beneath this, at the bottom, is the refill information and the warnings.
Pic 5: This slide is titled “Talk to Your Prescriber.”
WES: I ask questions about the prescription before I start taking it. Just because my doctor is recommending it doesn’t mean there aren’t also risks. I want to know what they are and make that decision for myself.
Sometimes a prescription doesn’t work exactly the way it should. If I notice any new side effects, or that it doesn't seem to be working, I’ll call my prescriber or my pharmacy with questions.
If I were planning to drink, smoke, or take any other substances, I would ask what that would mean with my prescription. Health care providers are concerned for my health and safety, not judging me or getting me in trouble.
Pic 6: This slide is titled “Keep Meds in a Private Spot.”
WES: What I take for my health is my business. I don’t need my roommates, friends, little sister, or random people searching my bathroom to see what I have. I've got a locked drawer in my desk, which is best for safety and to prevent theft. But if I couldn’t get a locked box, I could also keep a prescription bottle hidden in my sock drawer, in a closet, or anywhere I might expect some privacy.
Pic 7: This slide is titled “Get Rid of Old Pills.”
WES: Usually, a prescription is meant to be finished. Others, like my painkillers, I’m only supposed to take what I need and get rid of the rest. Leaving them around could be dangerous for someone who wasn’t prescribed them. And I don’t know what you might’ve heard, but throwing them away or flushing them down the toilet can be bad for the environment or animals.
I take mine back to the pharmacy where I got them, or any drug store will do. Or, sometimes there are special bins on campus meant for throwing away old medication. Check out the resources page to see if your campus has any, and other safe spots to dispose of prescriptions (Citation: Khan, 2017).
Pic 8: The screen returns to Wes in front of the blank background.
WES: I don’t know what you might be prescribed, now or in the future, so let’s talk about some common prescriptions.
Pic 9: The word “Stimulants” with an image of two pills appears next to Wes. After a second, the word “Prescription” appears with a list of example medications: “Adderall, Concerta, Ritalin, Focalin, Dexedrine, Vyvanse, and others.”
WES: And let’s start with stimulants, because I’m prescribed one for A.D.H.D. Stimulants can be prescribed for other reasons too.
Pic 10: The previous text disappears, and the new text reads “Non Prescription: Caffeine, Nicotine, Cocaine, and Meth.”
WES: Some stimulants aren’t prescribed, either cause you can buy them in the store, or cause they’re illegal and don’t serve any medical purpose.
Pic 11: The title behind Wes turns to “Depressants.” “Prescription” appears with the examples “Valium, Xanax, Halcyon, Ativa, Klonopin, Librium, Phenobarbitol.” “Non Prescription” also appears, with the examples “Alcohol, Rohypnol (“roofie”), Tranquilizer”
WES: Then there’s depressants, which someone might be prescribed for anxiety, for example. They also include sedatives and other things for stuff like sleep problems or panic attacks.