It begins with the pain, the doctor gives a prescription to help alleviate the excruciating pain. However, there is a danger in what begins with a legitimate health concern. The spotlight on this form of drug abuse seems to focus mainly on celebrities especially when they have succumbed to an overdose. It is discussed on various outlets of the media and in no time, they move on to the next topic of the day. Truth be told, prescription drugs affects everyone from the young to the old, the professional, the student, the preacher, etc. It takes it's toll on many lives. According to the Center for Disease Control, in 2010, 2 million people reported using prescription painkillers non-medically for the first time within the last year—nearly 5,500 a day. The top opiods abused are OxyContin, Percocet, Vicodin, Duragesic and Fentora. These painkillers can create a high as it decreases the pain. The need to escape the pain can begin a physical dependence leading to an addiction.
It's time to pay attention, pain killers should relieve pain - sadly, it also takes lives.
Information sources and participants: NYC Health, Jack Riley, Hazelden Foundation, Pain Management, Prescription Drugs, Addiction to Prescription Pills, Drug Abuse, David Reveles, Cheryl Edwards, David Cohen, health, wellness, Chuck Goudie, Dr Drew, CNN, Dr Sanjay Gupta
