Prescription abuse

September 17th, 2006 | Category: Drugs

Often the fear of these withdrawal symptoms, and the addiction itself will drive these users to obtain the medication any way they can, legally or illegally.

Another highly abused prescription medication in our region is benzodiazepines. These medications are frequently abused and highly addictive.

The body becomes dependent on the addictive painkillers and the user goes through severe withdrawal when deprived of them. These medications, often referred to as “nerve-pills,” or “benzos” are causing many to become hopelessly addicted.

Often, drug abusers will combine the opioids with the benzodiazepines to enhance their euphoria, but that combination has led to many accidental overdoses and death. Statistics may be true, but drug abuse still runs rampant through our region in the structure of prescription drug abuse. We do, however, believe that those who supply the prescription can manufacture an impact on availability.

Simple proactive steps such as pill counts, urine drug screens, and recognizing drug-seeking behavior may help identify those who abuse or misuse their medication. Requests for early refills, numerous reports of lost or stolen medication, and frequent emergency room visits asking for pain medication should all raise red flags.

Pharmacists could help identify problem patients by reporting “doctor-shopping,” and odd behaviors such as insisting on paying cash for a controlled medication when they have insurance.

We are aware that there is no way to stop the abuse of prescription medication altogether. Once abuse or misuse has been identified, next detoxification and substance abuse counseling can be offered.

— Alina Vrinceanu, MD; Roger Hamm, LPN

Southern Highlands Community Health Center, Princeton, WV

Benzodiazepines such as Valium, Xanax, Klonopin, and Ativan additionally cause withdrawal symptoms when abruptly stopped. The most prevalent withdrawal symptom from benzodiazepines is increased anxiety, reinforcing the patient’s belief that they cannot go without medication.

The purpose of that letter is to increase awareness of that type of substance abuse and to ask local physicians to be more diligent in screening patients for substance abuse behavior. Abuse of prescription pain medication and anti-anxiety agents have taken the place of the more traditionally abused chemicals.

Opioid-based pain relievers such as OxyContin, Dilaudid, Percocet, and Lortab, are easily obtained by simply visiting their family physician or the local emergency room.

Original post by P. Bench

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