subject: Pharmaceutical Drug Abuse In America [print this page] Many healthcare professionals view prescription drug addiction in the United States as an epidemic because of the alarming and rapidly growing number of cases each year. One of modern medicines most controversial trends is for doctors to frequently prescribe powerful pharmaceuticals such as antidepressants, sedatives, and sleeping pills, and there are currently over two hundred prescription drugs being abused. Although some patients become addicted by simply following their doctors instructions, most addicts develop their habit through illicit use. Overall, a better understanding of this problem is essential to create a framework for its prevention and treatment.
Because prescription drugs are federally controlled substances, any usage that doesnt comply with a doctors written instructions constitutes a felony. For instance, many pharmaceuticals contain opiates and benzodiazepines; compounds which people often snort, smoke, or inject. Even if someone has a legal prescription for these drugs to be administered orally, they are committing a felony by using them in these ways. Likewise, anyone who takes a drug that was legally obtained from a pharmacy but intended for someone elses consumption is breaking the law. As with any other felony, being convicted of prescription drug abuse can strip a user of their right to vote, obtain a passport, and hold public office. It can also involve the seizure of their property, prison time, and even an inability to find a stable job.
Because of the powerful compounds they contain, prescription drugs can induce feelings of euphoria and numbness similar to those sought from illegal drugs such as heroin. They also carry the same risks of rapid habit-forming. A user can quickly develop a tolerance, requiring increasingly more of a drug to feel the same effect. This tolerance becomes abuse and dependency, and before long, the user develops a full-blown addiction.
Too many people wrongly assume that pharmaceuticals are safer to abuse than illegal drugs because medical professionals prescribe them. The truth of the matter is that these drugs can be just as powerful, habit-forming, and potentially fatal as substances like heroin or methamphetamines. In fact, there were nearly five-hundred thousand emergency room visits related to prescription drug abuse in 2004 alone. There were many commonalities between these emergencies and those related to illegal drug use, including detoxification requests and physiological complications such as seizures, heart problems, and breathing trouble.
Another reason why so many health professionals consider prescription drug use an epidemic is its prevalence among all demographics. From teens to elderly people, there is no age group free from the problem of non-medical pharmaceutical use, and the easy availability of prescription drugs may be to blame.
Most drug abuse prevention resources go towards law enforcement, but people are still making efforts to educate schoolchildren and college students about the dangers of pharmaceutical abuse. There are also programs aimed at educating healthcare professional about the proper handling of these powerful drugs. For instance, a Department of Justice program teaches pharmacy staff about their liability in cases involving illegally-obtained drugs. This is because addicts often attempt to trick pharmacists by using physicians prescription pads and altering legitimate prescriptions. Despite all of these preventative measures, the rate of addiction continues to climb.
Prescription drug abuse carries grave consequences and is not to be taken lightly. If you or a loved one is struggling with these substances, call the toll-free number at the top of your screen for a confidential consultation. Our counselors are available twenty-four hours per day to help; dont miss out on the opportunity to turn your life around.
