Prescription Drug Abuse Analysis

Words: 1276
Pages: 6
Open Document
Prescription drugs have become extremely overused due to the pain killing aspects, along with a type of addictive rush when they are being abused. This rush has been something that people chase and will do anything to get. However, painkillers are not the only prescription drugs that are commonly abused. Antibiotics, which require prescription and can also result in harm to the body, are very commonly abused as well.The overuse of antibiotics has a direct connection with becoming resistant to them later down the road, rendering them useless for the body when one actually needs them. The over proliferation of prescription drugs has become a major problem with adults. Prescription drug use has increased immensely due to the positive and addictive …show more content…
According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), in 2014, the total number of Americans murdered that year, 15,809 , was less than how many Americans were killed by opioid painkillers, 19,000 (Ingraham). Also, according to the CDC, in 2014 opioids were a bigger killer than motor vehicle crashes (Harris). This alarming amount of deaths due to abuse from a drug which has been prescribed by doctors has caught the attention of many people and organizations, one of these being President Obama. Because of the growing prescription painkiller and heroin abuse epidemic, the Obama administration stated that it would bring the idea to congress to spend an additional $1.1 billion to combat the problem (Harris). This extra money is needed to provide better rehab facilities along with better strategies and tests for abuse regulation. For example, recently, patients who have been prescribed opioids have been required to submit urine samples monthly along with random check ups, the doctors are also required to count pills each visit (Goodnough). It is necessary to keep up with patients who are prescribed to these high dose painkillers in order to make sure they are kept addiction free and are safe from all of the possible deadly effects of these groups of medications. Many patients are unaware of this, however, and continue to abuse these drugs, maybe even unknowingly. For example, a group of medication, benzodiazepines, are highly deadly when combined with heroine, causing patients to stop breathing, have a heart attack and die (Kindy). People who are already addicted to heroine many times become addicted to other drugs such as this group of medication, and they do not realise that both of these drugs lower respiratory rates, resulting in death. according to a federal official, this ongoing issue is beginning to reach epidemic proportions, ballooning about 75
Show More

Related Documents: Prescription Drug Abuse Analysis

Case report Essay

am going to talk about in this case report is the Prescription Drug Monitoring Program (PDMP) in the United States. A brief history about the Prescription Drug Monitoring Program, through 1989, nine Prescription Drug Monitoring Program has been established. Two were located in state Attorneys General offices (California 1939 and Pennsylvania, 1972); two departments of Public Safety (Hawaii, 1943 and Texas, 1981) one in Department of Substance Abuse Services (Illinois, 1961); one in a Board of Pharmacy;…

Words 1551 - Pages 7

Essay on New Drug Epidemic on College Campus

English 162 October 4,2012 New Drug Epidemic on College Campuses Prescription drug abuse among college students is a growing trend on most campuses. Students are using these drugs inappropriately to not only “get high”, but to help with concentration when cramming for papers or tests, to self-medicate for anxiety or depression, and even to enhance their stamina when playing sports. Many people have stereotypes of what an alcoholic or addict is, and most people don't associate that image…

Words 1791 - Pages 8

Legal but Deadly Essay

Legal but Deadly Prescription for Disaster 1/11/2013 The non-medical use and abuse of prescription drugs is a serious public health problem in this country. Although most people take prescription medications responsibly, an estimated 52 million people have used prescription drugs for non-medical reasons at least once in their lifetimes. They are potentially deadly when taken in large doses or when combined with alcohol or other drugs. Take Gerald Levert, an R&B singer, who passed…

Words 1628 - Pages 7

Antibiotic Prescriptions

Because prescription drugs allow for a multitude of quick benefits, doctors are beginning to unnecessarily overprescribe medications to their pediatric patients. Of these prescription drugs, opioid pain killers, antibiotics, and psychiatric medications are most the most commonly overprescribed in child care. For example, opioid prescriptions have increased 300 percent in the past seventeen years (Boerner), over 50 million unnecessary antibiotic prescriptions are written each year (Murray), and 6…

Words 1553 - Pages 7

Causes of Drug Abuse Essay

Prescription Drug Abuse People are often prescribed medications without knowing and realizing the harmful and detrimental effects it can cause. In reality, when abused, they are very dangerous and can lead to addiction and kill more people than illicit drugs. Drug abuse has been around the world, dating back centuries. Drugs like cocaine, heroin, opium, and other highly addictive drugs have been used and abused my millions of people throughout history, but recently a new drug has emerged that is…

Words 2608 - Pages 11

Child Stimulant Use And Later Drug Abuse

No Link Seen Between Child Stimulant Use and Later Drug Abuse By ALAN SCHWARZ Published: May 29, 2013 * * An analysis published Wednesday by the American Medical Association said children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder who take stimulant medication do not have a lower risk over all for later substance abuse, contradicting the longstanding and influential message that such medicines tend to deter those with the disorder from abusing other substances. The paper…

Words 673 - Pages 3

Herbalism Versus Pharmacology Essay

manner. Many people have been healing themselves effectively for centuries using herbs. Though pharmaceutical drugs have been useful in covering up or disguising symptoms of illnesses fast they result in putting harsh chemicals in our bodies. The fact that many people decide to use harmful medicine rather than herbs is because of the speed and strength they work at. Many pharmaceutical drugs are unhealthy and harmful to the body; the integration of herbal and natural remedies would make us healthier…

Words 1560 - Pages 7

Debate: Heroin and daily Marijuana Users Essay examples

their laws against illegal drugs DEBATE 1. CBS NEWS The new study findings are from a government report outlining the extent of substance use and mental illness in the nation. The report is based on an analysis of data from the 2013 National Survey on Drug Use and Health. Almost 23 million Americans aged 12 and older need treatment for drug or alcohol use, but only 2.5 million received treatment at a specialty facility, according to the U.S. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services…

Words 626 - Pages 3

Adderall: Attention-deficit Hyperactivity Disorder and nowadays College Students Essay

nonmedical use of Adderall, a prescription stimulant designed to treat Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) This drug behavior occurs most frequently in Americans aged eighteen to twenty two years old, it is twice as common among those attending college, who use the drug as a study-aid to enhance alertness and concentration.” (2010, Karim Tazin). Adderall is a drug given to children who suffer from Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). This drug has different effects on children…

Words 1384 - Pages 6

Substance Abuse Among Nurses: A Case Study

Substance Abuse Among Nurses Substance abuse and drug diversion among nurses is a critical public health threat. The ANA postulates that as many as 8% of nurses are providing care to patients while impaired (Tanga, 2011). These are alarming statistics that warrant nurse leader and mangers to take immediate action to combat this issue. Nurses leaders and managers have a responsibility to ensure their patients are receiving safe, high-quality care in their organizations. Nurses who divert drugs or who…

Words 1298 - Pages 6