Prescription pain medications: just because a doctor prescribes them doesn't mean they are safe to abuse.

• Position: HEADS UP: REAL NEWS ABOUT DRUGS AND YOUR BODY

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You know that abusing drugs like cocaine and heroin can lead to addiction and other serious health consequences. But did you know that abusing prescription painkillers--taking someone else's prescription, or even taking your own in ways other than as prescribed--can be just as dangerous?

The fact is, it can. But with nearly 1 in 10 high school seniors reporting nonmedical use of Vicodin [R] in the past year, some teens haven't gotten the message. (1) Why are these teens risking their health and maybe even their lives? They may think prescription drugs are safer to abuse than illegal "street" drugs-after all, the thinking goes, doctors prescribe them, so they must be safe. But that's not the whole story. Read on to find out the facts.

What Are Prescription Painkillers?

Prescription painkillers are strong pain relievers that include the opioid class of drugs, including hydrocodone (e.g., Vicodin [R]) and oxycodone (e.g., OxyContin [R]). Opioids work by mimicking the body's natural pain-relieving chemicals, but they are more powerful and longer lasting.

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When the body senses pain following an injury or surgery, specialized nerve cells relay "pain" messages to the spinal cord and brain. In response to these messages, natural pain-relieving chemicals-endorphins and enkephalins--are released and attach themselves to the body's opioid receptors, where they have several functions. In the spinal cord, they decrease pain-related signals being transmitted to the brain. In the brain, they act in a number of areas, including those that interpret pain-related information and are involved in emotional responses. This reduces the sensation of pain and any associated feelings of suffering. Although our natural opioid system can relieve certain types of pain, it's not equipped to handle severe and prolonged pain. That's when opioid medications can be helpful.

Why Do Opioids Require a Prescription?

Opioids require a prescription because they are powerful medications. Although they are used safely each year by millions of Americans who are in pain, if not taken properly, opioids can result in severe health complications, or even death.

Before writing a prescription for opioids, your doctor must evaluate several factors, including your level of pain (or expected pain after surgery), weight, other medical conditions, any other medications you are taking, and your current or past drug-use history. The doctor will then...