Essay On Prescription Painkillers

understand how these factors may affect them or that prescription drugs do more than cause a high, help them stay awake, help them relax, or relieve pain. Abuse can include taking a friend's or relative's prescription to get high, to treat pain, or because you think it will help with studying. The classes of prescription drugs most commonly abused are: opioid pain relievers, such as Vicodin or Oxycontin; stimulants for treating Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), such as Adderall, Concerta, or Ritalin; and central nervous system (CNS) depressants for relieving anxiety, such as Valium or Xanax. The most commonly abused OTC drugs are cough and cold remedies containing dextromethorphan. It is sometimes abused to

In the United States, 40 people die across each day due to overdosing on narcotic prescription medicine. One of the most commonly abused prescriptions is opioids painkillers such as Vicodin and codeine. Another medicine to treat anxiety and sleep aids such as Valiums and Xanax. Other abused prescriptions are stimulants to treat Attention Deficit Hyper Disorder (ADHD) like Adderall and Ritalin. When the overdose first became a problem, 60 percent of NC prescription overdose victims were dying before the arrival of emergency medical

The world of opioids can be divided into two categories: (1) illicit opioids and (2) prescription opioids. Illicit opioids include substances like heroin that people abuse to reach a euphoric and relaxed state. In contrast, prescription opioids are commonly used by doctors in a medical setting to treat pain. Some of these powerful painkillers include codeine, oxycodone, hydrocodone, morphine, and methadone. While these prescription medications provide pain relief for patients who are recovering from surgery or injuries, they also pose serious risks when they are misused. Among these risks are addiction, overdose, and death.

This study also discusses about Gender-specific aspects which should be taken into consideration to identify those group of people which are at highest risk specifically for abusing of prescription opioid. the best way to control this issue is Prevention and applying intervention efforts which will be the best cure Research shows that women represent a large and growing population of prescription opioid abusers (Cicero et al., 2008; SAMHSA, 2006 ;  Tetrault et al., 2008). Unlike for heroin, an equal or greater proportion of women appear to abuse prescription opioids (Kelly et al., 2008 ;  Simoni-Wastila et al., 2004). In some studies it shows the correlation etween abusing of the prescription medication and abusing of alcohol and the other type of drugs.

The amount of individuals who die annually from accidental overdose is extremely unnerving. One of the biggest issues the world is facing in the 21st century is prescription opioid and illegal drug abuse. Unfortunately, this lethal dilemma is not publicized in the media as much as other things such as celebrity drama, cancer prevention, or the newest fitness craze. The notorious opioid epidemic is in full swing and has effected individuals from all religions, cultures, and genders. Although it may seem like a collective issue, adolescents are in the most danger.

Study shows that around 25% of adult patients experience severe and moderate pain that leads them to request medication such as opioid. Health Care Professionals (HCPs) sometimes has difficulty to offer other options in treating pain. HCPs had to assess patients and can only rely on the information provided by patients such as its side effects. If opioid is commonly prescribed for uncontrolled pain, how can HCPs assure it is use in a timely manner, or only as prn, and even to avoid misuse or abuse?

Prescription drug abuse has been around since doctors started prescribing medication, but widespread prescription drug abuse and addiction has only surfaced in the last 20 years or so. Unfortunately because these drugs are continued to be abuse widely, there are concerns for physicians who are legitimately prescribing these medications to patients who truly need them. However there are doctors who recklessly prescribe these drugs to unknowing patients who form addictions to them. Prescription medications commonly abused include opioids often prescribed to treat pain, central nervous system depressants used to treat anxiety, and stimulants used for the treatment of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) as well as some sleeping disorders.

Does one know about the prescription drug abuse epidemic our country is currently facing? Prescription drug abuse doesn’t discriminate, as it affects people of all ages, races, genders, and socioeconomic status. So what is causing this Prescription Drug Abuse Epidemic? A prescription drug also known as a pharmaceutical drug is used to diagnose, cure, treat, or prevent disease. Prescription Drug Abuse is known for being commonly recognized in developing nations, due to regulations and availability of the drugs. An article in the December 2008 issue of the International Journal of Drug Policy, "Drugs and Development: The Global Impact of Drug Use and

You see on characters on TV shows and movies, and even real life, that struggle with addictions. Most of the time when you hear the term “drug addict” you automatically think of street drugs, such as marijuana, cocaine, or LSD. Not too often do you hear a storyline of someone addicted to painkillers, but the reality of that type of abuse if very real. It has been said that an estimated 2.4 million Americans abused prescription painkillers in a year. This addiction has to have a starting point. A patient could go to the doctor because of a toothache. The doctor then may write a prescription for a simple prescription painkiller. That medication may have a side effect of a relaxing feeling, therefore when the patient experienced this they decided they wanted to have that feeling more. Eventually they will

Prescription drugs have been proven to be much worse than marijuana. The fuss people make over the legalization of marijuana does not make sense when one thinks about the effects that overdosed or misused prescription drugs has had. Overdosed prescription drugs kill around 47,055 people a year, and overdosed prescription drugs have no death record. The health effects of overdosed prescriptions are much worse when compared to overdosed prescription drugs. Also, the dangers of prescription drugs are portrayed as often and as correct as the dangers of marijuana.

Alcohol plays a big part in prescription drugs because the person who is taking them may not get the "high" they want to achieve a better high then the last time. Some may decide to add alcohol in the mix. Alcohol is a legal drug within its self because the more the consumer drinks, their driving ability is impaired, it is hard to walk/talk, it can make the person sad or angry. The relationship between prescription painkillers and alcohol goes hand and hand because they both give you the same effect and can even lead to death.

There are three types of prescription drugs that are commonly abused including Opioids, Central Nervous System Depressants and Stimulants. An opioid is a medication used to treat pain, including oxycodone, hydrocodone and meperidine (“Prescription Drug Abuse,”n.d.) Opioids attach to opioid receptors in the brain and spinal cord preventing the brain from receiving messages which cause pain (“Prescription Drug Abuse,”n.d.) Unlike opioids, central nervous system depressants are used to treat anxiety, tension, panic attacks and sleep disorders (“Prescription Drug Abuse,”n.d.) Central nervous system depressants decrease brain activity by increasing the activity of a certain neurotransmitter which results in a calming effect (“Prescription Drug Abuse,”n.d.) Common examples of central nervous system depressants include pentobarbital sodium, diazepam, and alprazolam (“Prescription Drug Abuse,”n.d.) Stimulants, the third commonly abused type of prescription drugs are used to treat narcolepsy and ADHD by increasing brain activity (“Prescription

Pain is one of the common symptoms that have numerous causes. The experience, severity and tolerance of pain vary from one person to other. Non- pharmacological and pharmacological management helps to control the pain. Non- pharmacological management may not be entirely efficient; therefore, people seek pharmacological treatment for effective pain management. Various medications are provided to the individual experiencing pain to relieve discomfort. The use of narcotics for treatment of pain has been increasing remarkably. According to Spine-health (2015), the uses of narcotics have risen sharply and have increased the role of addiction (para. 3). Nurses do fall in the trap of addiction for various reasons such as job stress, job work area or poor health conditions. Dufrene (2008) wrote, “Addiction is a chronic, inacurable, but treatable brain disease” (Understanding Addiction, para. 1). This paper explores the human health experience of a wonderful nurse who shared her hardship with all her heart. For confidentiality purpose, the individual will be referred to as Mrs. White. This paper scrutinizes what factors shaped Mrs. White’s overall health experience. Further, this paper focuses on abstract concepts that have stood out for me in relation to Mrs. Wright’s narrative such as coping, support and hope. This paper also includes my reflection and interpretation of the meaning of Mrs. Wright’s experience both personally and professionally.

Group activities included learning the side effects and symptoms of missed use of prescription medications, and discussing alternative ways to cope with physical/mental pain, and sleep disturbance without the use of AOD and prescription medications. Ms. Kline moderately participated. She described a history of using heroin to cope with stress and overwhelming feelings, but stated “I never missed use prescription drugs”. She indicated that she uses over the counter medications for stomachache or headache. Good treatment progress. Ms. Kline successfully completed IOP treatment as of today.

“We awake to the kick of caffeine, soothe our nerves with tobacco, ease our tension headaches with aspirin, wind down the day with alcohol, and swallow an antihistamine to help us sleep – all perfectly legal, respectable, and even expected” (Kuntz, 2001, p. 195). Nowadays it seems that everyone is looking for the magic pill to fix all of his woes. Is it any wonder that 67.2% of physician’s office visits in the United States involve either ordering new prescription drugs or adjusting current prescriptions? (U.S. Center, 2012, table 23). This hunt for the easy fix has led to a society in which the majority of the United States population is using drugs for either medical or recreational use. Drugs are defined