Drug abuse is an age-old problem. It is quite ironic to think that the drugs used to cure diseases and prolong life are the same drugs that inflict life-threatening and ruining consequences on recreational users. To curb the the spread of prescription drug abuse around the world, governments have worked to control the ease by which these substances are available. Unfortunately, prescription drug abuse is still an epidemic. Here’s what you should know about it.
History
It was not until the 19th century when active compounds, such as morphine, cocaine, and laudanum, in drugs were first extracted. At the time, the substances were openly traded and used, due to an inability to regulate and enforce laws around it. Lacking research and knowledge, scientists and doctors were unaware of the addictive attributes of the substances, and prescribed them freely for all kinds of health conditions. As a result, the drugs were accessible from drugstores, traveling merchants, and even mail order.
Today
Prescription drug addiction is one of the fastest spreading drug-related conditions in both developed and underdeveloped nations. Almost any kind of drug can be misused to such an extent that it causes physical and psychological consequences. During the initial phase, marked when the patient starts taking legally prescribed drugs without actually needing it for health or other reasons, a shift towards procuring these substances illegally occurs. Patients may ask for prescription drugs either by bribing the doctor into disregarding his/her responsibilities or by misleading him/her regarding their symptoms. The most common and most addicting prescription drug used by patients is opiate painkillers.
Treatment
The kind of treatment necessary to rehabilitate a patient with prescription drug addiction varies, depending on the substance being abused. Sometimes, the addiction must be controlled slowly, under tight observation from a medical expert. Other times, the addiction must be cured with the aid of additional drugs, to regulate the side effects of minimizing consumption, such as sudden withdrawal.
What To Do
Since prescription drugs are still legal today, they can be easily accessed by the wrong people. Parents, police officers, medical teams, and government agencies are given roles to play in minimizing cases of prescription drug abuse. What you can do to help stop or at least minimize this incident is to follow proper disposal guidelines. Regardless of who you are in your community, you can help address the problem, starting in your own humble abode. By following the guidelines implemented by CDCP, you minimize the risk of accidental diversion or harm. For parents, it is vital to talk to your children about these topics and let them ask any questions they have.
Every year, millions of people suffer the effects of prescription drug abuse one way or the other. Being proactive against drug abuse and pushing through the influences of prescription drugs will help protect your family, as well as your community.
Carrie Ford writes about health, nutrition and more at http://www.