According to the DEA “opioid painkillers now cause more drug overdose deaths than cocaine and heroin combined.” If that doesn’t get your attention how about this from the DEA “nearly 7 million Americans are abusing prescription drugs*—more than the number who are abusing cocaine, heroin, hallucinogens, Ecstasy, and inhalants, combined.” Yes both of the previous statistics end with the word COMBINED! Prescription drug addiction and abuse has become a hot topic in recent years. According to the DEA there has been an 80% increase in prescription drug abuse since 2000. These statistics are astounding. Prescription drug addiction and abuse is a subject that needs to be addressed by the public as well as the medical community. The general public needs to know the consequences of abuse, and parents need to know how easy it is for their CHILDREN to acquire these drugs WITHOUT a prescription. Parents also need to know that abusing prescriptions is just as dangerous as abusing illegal drugs. On the other hand nurses need to understand how to recognize and deal with a patient that is abusing. Nurses also need to know how education can help stop this trend!
http://www.usdoj.gov/dea/concern/prescription_drug_fact_sheet.html
Video:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ClOvWFk3T4Y
Picture:http://www.michaelshouse.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2008/07/prescription-drugs-300x200.jpg
that's crazy, I didn't realize sleeping pills were so dangerous!
ReplyDeleteWow! those are some shocking statistics! I think generally when people hear 'drug abuse' they immediately think illegal drugs, the truth is a drug is a drug, prescription or illegal they can be just as dangerous.
ReplyDeleteCrazy things you dont always think about. Great info!
ReplyDeletewe, as nurses, also need to understand clearly not only addiction but also dependence and tolerance because they can be confused very easily.
ReplyDeleteSome of the people that I think must be very careful are Geriatric patients because they are the ones that mainly take many medications each day and can cause complications associated with herbal remedies or other drugs.
ReplyDeleteinteresting read, thanks!
ReplyDeleteStay in school kids! Don't do drugs!
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ReplyDeleteIt has gotten out of control. Oxycontin & other powerful pain killers have become recreational drugs for many, and are too powerful for the average thrillseeker to manage safely.
ReplyDeleteTraceabilty and accountability needs to be dramatically increased for thes sorts of drugs. Death from overdose needs to result in criminal prosecution for the people who contributed to the dead person getting the drugs.
Saddest part is this doesn't surprise me in the slightest. In fact I'd be shocked if any illegal drug came even close.
ReplyDeleteI have only taken 2 types of pills in my life, and both only a couple times. I have seen the type of things prescription drugs can do. May fix one thing, but will give you a problem with something else, which you may need another pill for. Eventually, you get used to it and if you try to stop, your body will be thrown for a loop just like being addicted to anything else.
Yet they have the nerve to bad mouth weed, which has never killed anyone and only after very prolonged use, may cause slight memory problems and lung issues, but the lung issues come from the smoke not the weed itself. Digesting it in food takes care of the lung issue.
Definately inciteful, as an EMT-B, you are exposed to the fact the paramedic are human too as they at one point dealt with a high rate of this...
ReplyDeleteI feel that doctors should be much more thoughtful in their prescriptions. It seems that there is a mindset in America, that a prescription cures everything; and many times this is not the case. These kids and abusers are getting them somewhere...
ReplyDeleteA very informative article. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteNice one!
ReplyDeleteThanks
One popular drug for HS students in Ft Worth that's really blowing up is xanex. Turns 'em in to zombies. Sad really.
ReplyDeleteI've seen firsthand normal people trick'out & start taking schlong, just for their pill habit(s). Very over-powering, for those suffering from addiction to compromise their self worth by hoe'ing out for meds.
ReplyDeletegood info
ReplyDeleteVery interesting, thank you very much.
ReplyDeletewow, this is interesting :D
ReplyDeleteInteresting read. Educated me on sleeping pills. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteinteresting read, cheers for the information
ReplyDeletegreat information. liked the videos you posted, too. thanks . . .
ReplyDeleteInteresting and informative. However, I would suggest referring to the rules of punctuation.
ReplyDeleteThis is great informationt to have! I wasn't aware that it was such a problem. GREAT ARTICLE SEASON! -C
ReplyDeleteVery Interesting!!!!
ReplyDeletePrescription drug addiction such as the Psychological- and/or Chemical Dependence on pharmaceuticals has become an increasingly escalating problem among people within all classes of society. According to statistics that were recently published on the internet, we may conclude that prescription drug addiction is increasingly exceeding other known addictions such as the consumption of alcoholic beverages, and the frequent abuse of illegal class I controlled substances.
ReplyDeleteIt is difficult to work with the unbearable pain that gives you a migraine, but even more with low back pain, it is unfortunate that you have to do demanding physical disabilities, but at the moment is when we ask for government help to understand our problems and disadvantages in health care.
ReplyDeleteThe analgesics for the pain must be very carefully consumed, although many take them of form mistaken only to hallucinate and not for need of pain, these medicines are commercialized frequently on the black market be already, Hydrocodone, vicodin, lortab that they are most asked and they even sell them as delight, for it elegant that this is very dangerous for the youth.
ReplyDeletePrescription drugs as Vicodin, Lortab, hydrocodone, should be prescribed in an appropriate and urgency of chronic pain because they are medicines are controlled by what the say ...
ReplyDeleteI have friends who after taking prescription drugs have altered behavior and impulsivity, it appears that painkillers such as Vicodin, hydrocodone, percocet, oxycodone, they affect the nervous system and as I have been out in findrxonline says these medicines have side effects and should be prescribed with a prescription.
ReplyDeleteInteresting post..Thanks for sharing this useful information with us all.
ReplyDeleteRegards,
Boniva
I think youth empowerment programs will also do considerably well to prevent Drug Abuse.
ReplyDeleteInformative post :)
ReplyDeleteDePuy hip recall lawyers can help you out. They are the ones who will make sure that your rights are always protected. Seek their valuable help right away.
ReplyDeleteAll around The United States, Recreational Drugs are , yet they are traded illicitly and some of the very commonly ones that are high in use are marijuana or cocaine. Also, there are more of them that are recurrently exploited for recreational use, even though they are illegal traded substances which are quite harmful for ones health.
ReplyDeleteAlthough a lot of them have been made strictly illegal to possess and exercise, several of them turn out to be in reality prescription drugs and they are indeed being maltreated and misused by patients themselves. But one point must be noted down and kept in mind that prescription drugs can be ill-treated and are prohibited for utilization by people other than those to whom they have been prescribed for.
There are several prescribed drugs that can kill you silently when over-consumed. The effects are more dangerous than illegal drugs. Get off illegal drugs and also with these types of pills and stuff.
ReplyDeleteIllegal drugs are still poison. But legal drugs are more popular now mostly for the push and promotion of media and they are poison as well. I am staying away from all prescription drugs and legal drugs
ReplyDeletethanks for this info. I actually did not know that and will check on this.
ReplyDeleteRitalin Addiction.
Prescription drugs are very easy to acquire. That is why parents should be sure to watch out for their kids. Always talk to them so they would be open about their curiosities.
ReplyDeleteYes, its a serious matter and really needs to be taken care on. Prescription drug is used to distinguish it from over-the-counter drugs medical products which can be received without the prescription and now they are playing with the society.
ReplyDeleteMedication in America is a topic in discussion as various places they are making illegal drugs as prescribed!!
Immense piece of writing! I am also impressed with your figures which you have mentioned in your article. Thanks for sharing with us.
ReplyDeleteThe statistics provided by is really up to date. Now-a days youngster are more addicted of rx drugs especialy cocaine and heroin. They took these drugs to increase their concentration, which is not right.
ReplyDeleteThis is very important topic. Addiction of prescription drug is very dangerous. Public and medical community must aware of its bad effects. Need to know that teenagers and adults how to get prescription drug without a prescription. And need to know how to protect their children from these drugs...
ReplyDeleteThis blog has been great resource for information about drugs..
ReplyDeleteThese drugs can cause reactions that interfere with driving, such as sedation, car accidents are possible.So please avoid using drugs while driving.
ReplyDeleteCrisis Intervention
I have been looking for a chemical dependency. Is there a suggestion? Thanks for the help.
ReplyDeleteMust not be addicted for any drug and doctor should take care of this before prescribing any medicine.
ReplyDeleteGoodness! those are some stunning insights! I think for the most part when individuals listen 'medication misuse' they quickly think unlawful medications, the fact of the matter is a medication is a medication, solution or illicit they can be generally as risky. prescription drug abuse prevention
ReplyDeleteThere are roughly 50 million individuals in SA today and around 15% of them are experiencing medication habit. One of the disturbing circumstances with regards to medication fixation is that some are likewise manhandling physician endorsed drugs.prescription drug abuse prevention
ReplyDelete