The idea of a pain clinic is to provide the necessary treatment to individuals suffering with chronic pain. The problem is that they also create an opportunity for the foundation for addiction. A recent WBIR article focused on this growing problem.
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The typical image of a drug user is typically not the retirement set. Though most people picture young adults as the general image for a person abusing drugs, there is a growing problem among adults aged 50 or older, with many older adults abusing pharmaceutical drugs.
Each state is considering its own measures to stop illegal prescription drug abuse. In Tennessee, however, significantly increased usage of a national prescription database tool means it may not be as easy as it used to be to get prescription drugs – especially hydrocodone.
It is easy to understand why so many people are turning to online drug companies in today’s busy world. With our time-starved lifestyles, it is easy to find companies happy to accommodate – even without the availability of a prescription. It is also easy to be anonymous; there are no doctors or nurses to answer to. Finally, online medications are easy to obtain. If you have a credit card and access to the Internet, you are sure to find thousands of sites willing and able to provide you with your heart’s desire.
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A new and tragic twist to the problem of prescription drug abuse is affecting the lives and health of what could be considered the youngest victims – babies who are born already addicted to opiate drugs, or prescription pain killers. According to recent research, the level of newborn babies born with prescription drug abuse addiction problems is 40 times greater than the 1980’s level. Experts believe babies born with prescription drug addictions will not only battle withdrawal, but may be more likely to also face abuse or neglect.
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Drug addiction has gotten a makeover during the past decade. It now looks like the teen who raids the medicine cabinet at home before school. It looks like the mother of two who is popping pain medications before community functions. In some cases, it even looks like the medical professional who checks into rehab after months of abusing prescription drugs.
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Even knowledgeable and seasoned doctors and nurses can abuse prescription drugs and become addicted. One sedative drug, propofol, seems to carry an especially high rate of abuse in the medical community.
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Addiction to prescription pain medications continues to come into the light, especially as more and more celebrities confess their problem. Prescription drugs are considered a possible factor in the death of Michael Jackson, and have become part of news stories surrounding actress Jamie Lee Curtis, who wrote in a published blog that she became hooked on morphine after completing cosmetic surgery.
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Children involved in the foster system have already experienced neglect or some type of abuse, but recent research suggests they may also receive high numbers of prescription medications. A 2010 report published by Medco Health Solutions indicates close to half (42 percent) of all kids in the foster system are being prescribed drugs to alter or modify their moods; many have prescriptions for three or more medications. Findings suggest providers take a closer look at how prescriptions are administered to children in the foster system, especially in terms of focusing on the child’s individual needs for emotional recovery.
Read more about Foster Children May Receive Three Times Higher Levels of Prescription Medications
Never underestimate the power of Google. The Internet giant recently filed suit against some of its most profitable AdWords customers. The suit, filed in US District Court in Northern California, names one defendant and promises to name up to fifty more once the suit progresses. Google alleges that the defendants run illegal online pharmacies and use malware to advertise counterfeit drugs to users of the Google search engine.