Prescription Drug Abuse

Prescription Drug Abuse seems to be an increasing trend spreading the world over. Incorrect use of the drugs is now becoming common with every age level and type of person.

Misuse of prescription medicines usually seems to start with legitimate use of a particular drug prescribed by a medical practitioner. The relief given may only be temporary so the patient may take more than the recommended dosage and become addicted to the drug rather than need it for relief. It is often a slow process and the person may not even be aware of their addiction. It is often up to friends or family members to alert their doctors of the extra ingestion of the drugs in order for them to recover.

Prescription Drug Abuse seems to be prevalent in cases of serious pain relief and amongst the older members of our communities. Chronic pain sufferers tend to self medicate say they need the drug to ease their pain. Some will go to a number of physicians to gain prescriptions to feed their habit, justifying this with stories of inability to function without the drugs.
Older people tend to either forget they have already taken their medications or take them multiple times leading to a less sinister motive but sometimes still leads to a serious problem for these people. Recent advances in packaging methods and delivery of the necessary amount of medications has helped many older people regain their dignity by still allowing them to live independently and feel safe they are taking their required dosages of medicines.

While anyone who is required to take almost any drug for a long period of time is at risk of becoming addicted they rarely cause harm to anyone other than themselves or their immediate surrounds. It is the usually the small criminal element who will exploit the system by farming doctors for prescriptions and then using those drugs to convert to a more potent drug that worry the wider community. They encourage crime and provide illicit drugs of doubtful safety to anyone taking them. This places a burden on the community as a whole by requiring extra money to be spent on police and medical facilities to help deal with the problems created by this drug abuse.

Prescription Drug Abuse is far from the aim of any doctor while treating a patient. Most doctors are diligent on the care of their patients however are sometime placed under extreme pressure to continue treatment even when they might think it is in the best interest of the patient. At other time there may be no alternative action available to them and alternatively the patient may lie to gain the effects of the drug even though they don’t require it. Whatever the cause Prescription Drug Abuse can lead to an addiction that is usually totally unnecessary, especially with all the harmful effects it may cause.

To guard against becoming addicted to your medications you should never change the dose of the drug without speaking to your doctor. You need to inform them about all side effects of the drug. Tell them about any varied moods, weight change, interest changes, and any general feeling of depression when the drug is not available to you.

Simple good advice is to stick to your doctor’s appointment and treatment schedule. Do not try to self medicate an ailment as this may lead you to Prescription Drug Abuse without you even being aware of it.