Addiction to Prescription Medication
The Addiction to Prescription Drugs
Sharon O 'Dell
COM156
November 30, 2012
Lugene Rosen
The Addiction to Prescription Drugs
The “war on drugs” has been raging for years, but now it has a new adversary. It can be found in almost every home, sitting on a counter, or tucked away in a medicine cabinet. It can help a student focus better, help a person ease chronic pain, or help a person cope with daily stress or anxiety. This new adversary is prescription medication. With this being said, is America’s growing addiction to prescription medications reaching an epidemic status? The statistics will show that prescription medications are in high demand, the addiction to and demand for prescription drugs is causing a growth on the black market, and life is so hectic that a high school student or everyday housewife feels they need a medication to keep up with daily events. So yes, the addiction to prescription medication is reaching epidemic status, causing a growth in the black market, and affecting the lives of millions of people.
First, the addiction to and demand for prescription medications is growing every day, because people are in pain; whether it is a hip replacement, back pain, or a toothache. Another reason is because people want to escape the realities of life; such as, divorce, losing a job, help with depression, or to simply elevate boredom. According to Volkow (2010), “The three broad categories of psychotropic prescription drugs with liability include opioid analgesics, stimulants, and central nervous system (CNS) depressants”. The most addictive of these medications are opioid analgesics, which would be OxyContin and Morphine. Opioid analgesics are prescription medications used to treat individuals with moderate to severe pain. The second most abused prescription medication would be stimulants, which are medications such as Ritalin and Adderall, and are used to treat individuals with attention deficit disorder and narcolepsy. The last
Sharon O 'Dell
COM156
November 30, 2012
Lugene Rosen
The Addiction to Prescription Drugs
The “war on drugs” has been raging for years, but now it has a new adversary. It can be found in almost every home, sitting on a counter, or tucked away in a medicine cabinet. It can help a student focus better, help a person ease chronic pain, or help a person cope with daily stress or anxiety. This new adversary is prescription medication. With this being said, is America’s growing addiction to prescription medications reaching an epidemic status? The statistics will show that prescription medications are in high demand, the addiction to and demand for prescription drugs is causing a growth on the black market, and life is so hectic that a high school student or everyday housewife feels they need a medication to keep up with daily events. So yes, the addiction to prescription medication is reaching epidemic status, causing a growth in the black market, and affecting the lives of millions of people.
First, the addiction to and demand for prescription medications is growing every day, because people are in pain; whether it is a hip replacement, back pain, or a toothache. Another reason is because people want to escape the realities of life; such as, divorce, losing a job, help with depression, or to simply elevate boredom. According to Volkow (2010), “The three broad categories of psychotropic prescription drugs with liability include opioid analgesics, stimulants, and central nervous system (CNS) depressants”. The most addictive of these medications are opioid analgesics, which would be OxyContin and Morphine. Opioid analgesics are prescription medications used to treat individuals with moderate to severe pain. The second most abused prescription medication would be stimulants, which are medications such as Ritalin and Adderall, and are used to treat individuals with attention deficit disorder and narcolepsy. The last
References: Drug cost look up. (2012). Retrieved from http://cashcard.lc.healthtrans.com/Pages/DrugSearch.aspx?host=www.rxwellcard.com Kalb, C. (2001). Playing with pain killers. Newsweek, 137(15), 44-48. Retrieved from http://ehis.ebscohost.eds Morris, G. (2011). Ten Most abused Prescription Drugs. Retrieved from http://www.livestrong.com Ossoff, R. H., & Thomason, C. D. (2011). Beyond Pain Management: Doctor Shopping. Journal of Health Care Compliance , 13(2), 57-76. Retrieved from http://ehis.ebscohost.com/eds Volkow, N. D. (2010). Testimony to Congress. Retrieved from http://www.drugabuse.gov