05/19/2013– Prescription Drug Overdoses Are The #1 Killer: How to Cope

Why are prescription drugs killing people? Aren’t they supposed to make people feel better, heal faster, and balance out? How did they become public enemy #1? I thought heroin, cocaine, and crack were the most dangerous drugs?

To determine what drug is dangerous, we must first decide what makes a drug dangerous. Is the danger actually in the drug, or in the belief that the drug is safe to use? We all know the dangers of heroin, cocaine, and crack. But what about prescription pills? Doctors dispense them. The FDA approved them. If they really are dangerous, then why are they still being used? Just one day’s worth in front of a television and listening to ads for drugs should answer that question. It’s not that drugs aren’t helpful for those in need. No, it’s the abuse of drugs and lack of proper analysis that makes them dangerous.

The pills that are prescribed are often highly addictive. When used for short term management of pain, they are controllable and safe. But some people think that if one works, two will still work better. Two becomes four, and as someone continues to use pills, their ability to manage the pain diminishes, requiring more pills to do the same job. This is how an addiction is born; and not with intent, but out of making one mistake after another. Properly monitored, perhaps the doctor saw what pills you were popping and weaned you off them. But you continue to use the pills. Each time you use them, they grab you harder and harder, until you’re grabbing them just the same. You don’t let anyone get in your way.

Many who abuse drugs go to the doctor and say the pills aren’t working, so the doctor writes a new prescription. The old pills at home, the new pills at home (growing into large quantities) is enough to keep going for weeks. Doctors must take responsibility when they are prescribing. It’s too easy to make one an addict, yet too hard to break the addiction.

One way to slow the problem is electronic prescribing. This means a doctor can prescribe without a written pad, avoiding the forgeries and thefts that so often occur. While not fool-proof, patients getting multiple prescriptions from different doctors can be easily flagged. This helps to cut down on abuse.

What can you do? When there are no underlying emotional issues for which the pills are prescribed and the addiction is purely physical, detoxing may be enough to end the addiction. In this case, sitting with your loved one may be sufficient to convince them to seek help. When underlying issues are present, a combination of detoxing, cognitive therapy, and support groups like AA may be required to properly address the issues. To awaken the addict’s awareness, an intervention may be required. Whether the addiction-sufferer seeks help or not, family members ought to attend their loved one’s recovery program (like Families Anonymous or Alanon).

Prescription pills don’t need to kill anyone. Taking responsibility for the drugs we possess and making sure they are used properly can curb the abuse. So long as they are on the market, the abuse won’t end. As family, friends, and parents—we must watch out for each as well.