Prescription Drug Addiction - Are Doctors Responsible?

Doctors and patients are most responsible for the prescription drug addiction?

Each year in the United States, approximately seven million people use prescription drugs for non-medical purposes, and that number, nearly 10% is obtained and the use of these drugs illegally. In a 1998 study reported 1.6 million people with non-prescription medicine at least once. In 2006 7.0 million people or 2.8% of the U.S. population abusing one or more prescriptionMedications. Abuse of prescription drugs is a serious health problem in the U.S., leading heroin and cocaine as the cause of death by overdose in 2008.

The most commonly abused drugs are:

- Painkillers like OxyContin and Vicodin
- Tranquilizers or sedatives such as Valium and Xanax
- Stimulants like Ritalin.

Drug dependence is usually followed by an illness or injury, prescribed for the drug. The patient,Once addicted, there is the need of the drug long after the original disease has subsided, and can cause serious withdrawal pain and discomfort, if they suffer is not available. Perpetrators often cocktails of two or more medications, drugs or in combination with alcohol, sometimes with fatal consequences, as in the case of actor Heath Ledger.

Individuals dependent on prescription drugs, such as dependents of illegal substances, to go to any lengths to obtain them. If they do notthey receive from friends or relatives, or convince them to write to their doctor for a prescription, they will lie, shop around compliant doctors, you name it - even fake medical conditions, only for a correction.

Part of the problem of prescription drugs in the U.S. is our obsession with "quick" fixes for all and all issues, including medical problems. If we can not sleep, suffering from any kind of pain, depression, illness or other, we want an immediate chemical solution. It has been said in jest, that itsimple, a Valium tablet given by a stranger on the street these days than a cigarette. Among the younger set) (late teens and young adults, ready to go means that you ensure that your iPhone, iPod, car keys, credit cards, pills and "quick" fix of your choice.

Unfortunately, the doctors are among the most common providers of prescription drugs that are being misused. According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), 70% of Americans see their doctors toAt least once every two years. These doctors are in the best position to identify and curb dependence on prescription. Our fee-for-service health insurance encourages, but a kind of assembly-line medical care, would be the kind of analysis that a doctor to detect abnormalities that may indicate drug dependence or abuse, put the situation discourages. In addition, most doctors are to eliminate pain or other symptoms focused, and drugs are often prescribed and there is little follow-up ofPatients of drugs. In the case of people who get the symptoms to sell fake medicines, doctors often find it easier than fighting to prescribe.

Physicians must therefore assume a substantial part of the blame for the epidemic of prescription drug abuse in this country. As mentioned earlier, in 2006 2.8% of the population reported non-medical use of prescription drugs. Accounted for 5.2% or abuse of painkillers and sedatives 1.8%. While much of this is illegally obtained, has gained muchthrough prescriptions written by general practitioners. Ultimately, however, it is the person who take the lion's share of the responsibility for drugs must, whether it is of prescription drugs or illegal drugs. Doctors must do a better job of monitoring patients using drugs, but the individual is one who uses the pill to take for his or her own language and is the one that measures to resolve is the problem.

I work with people who have called into questionvarious dependencies, including but not limited to - drug abuse, alcohol and rage. I am a consultant certifies the chemical dependency and anger management facilitator. If you or a family member or someone you know is in trouble with substance abuse or anger, we can work together to determine what the best approach to take, on behalf of you and look for the person to help.