Pain Medication Addiction Essay Example

a type of medication that targets the central nervous system and is used to treat psychiatric conditions. These medications fall under three categories of prescription drug abuse: opiates, depressants, and stimulants. The prevalence of prescription drug abuse in the United States is a concerning issue affecting a significant portion of its population.

The Pain Killer Addict Information (2008) states that addiction or chemical dependency may occur in individuals. Opiates, which induce sleep and alleviate pain, are a commonly known drug type derived from opium. Depressants, categorized as agents that diminish bodily function or instinctive desires like appetite (Merriam-Webster, 2008), are another form of substance abuse. Opiates belong to a distinctive medication group with a variety of subtypes.

According to WebMD (2008), there is a significant risk of addiction and overdose associated with certain opioids, including Percocet, Oxycontin, Vicodin, and Lortab. Pain Killer Addict Information (2008) warns that abusers often crush these pills to inject or snort them which can cause respiratory depression and even death. Additionally, combining opioids with other substances like alcohol can worsen respiratory distress. Since depressants are highly addictive and withdrawal from them can be dangerous, individuals who stop taking these drugs without medical guidance may experience severe withdrawal symptoms that require proper management by a healthcare professional.

Overdosing on these medications can result in serious respiratory issues and potentially fatal consequences, particularly when combined with alcohol or other drugs. Oxycontin, a variant of Vicodin available in various shapes and sizes, is frequently misused as a pain reliever. It bears close resemblance to morphine and should be used cautiously and only as needed for optimal efficacy - it must be taken regularly and ingested whole.

According

to WebMD (2008), if tablets are chewed, crushed or broken, a potentially life-threatening amount of medication may be released into the body. Pain Killer (2005) states that these pills, which contain oxycodone, release medication slowly over a 12-hour period and must be taken whole. This means the drug is safe for patients for 12 hours, preventing pain. Oxycontin is used by two million Americans to function during the day and sleep at night (Pain killer, 2005). An increase in use has been observed between 1999 and 2001, where usage rates have quadrupled (Pain killer, 2005).

Observing the color and size variations of Oxycontin pain pills is possible. In the past, parents would lock their liquor cabinets to deter teenagers from trying the contents. Nowadays, young people's widespread illegal prescription stimulant and tranquilizer use may require a locked medicine cabinet; up to one in ten engage in such behavior. Also, misusing prescription pain medication affects up to one in six teenagers (Popping Pills, 2006). Stimulants activate the central nervous system and are known as "uppers" due to accelerating both mental and physical processes.

Stimulants are divided into two groups: legal and illegal. Legal stimulants include caffeine commonly found in beverages, as well as nicotine present in tobacco products. Methylphenidate is a prescribed stimulant that boosts physical activity and alertness. Illegal stimulants encompass cocaine, methamphetamine, and crack. Drugs with high demand such as Ritalin and Adderall possess stimulating qualities which are frequently misused.

According to reports by Popping Pills (2006) and Substance Abuse, Addiction & Women (2006), a federal advisory panel has recommended the placement of clear warning labels on attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder medications. It is crucial for parents to

emphasize the avoidance of prescription drugs when discussing drug abuse with their children since teenage girls aged 12-17 are increasingly using these drugs, with approximately 10.1 percent of girls and 8.6 percent of boys reported as users.

The Substance Abuse, Addiction & Women (2006) publication states that the misuse of prescription drugs among women has increased by 212% between 1992 and 2003, making it a rapidly growing form of substance abuse. Misuse of various prescription drugs is more common among Caucasian women compared to men and women from other ethnicities. Women are more likely than men to engage in inappropriate usage of prescription medication with a probability of 43%. About 15 million teenage girls and adult women engage in the misuse of illegal drugs and prescribed medication.

There are concerns related to stopping addicting medications, as the individual must be fully committed to avoid relapse. Withdrawal symptoms such as discomfort, depression, vomiting, diarrhea, shaking, and moodiness can make the process challenging. Overcoming pain medication addiction is a lifelong struggle, and individuals may fear having to resume medication use due to surgery or injury.

If an individual experiences pain pill addiction withdrawal, it is crucial to be transparent and forthcoming with their medical provider regarding their pain pill history to receive appropriate treatment without the risk of re-occurring addiction. Non-narcotic prescription medications can provide relief and avoid dependency (Pain Pill Addiction Withdrawal, 2007). A support community is available for individuals seeking treatment for dependency. There are various indicators that one can observe to identify the need for help.

According to Pain-pill addiction: What's the risk? (2008), it is common for individuals to request prescriptions from multiple doctors or fake

an injury to obtain more pain medication. Furthermore, taking pain medication to cope with anxiety or stress is also prevalent. Other medications and alcohol use are also common indicators of addiction. To deal with addiction, another medication called Soboxone is commonly used, as discussed in New drug treats the new face of addiction.

According to a 2008 article titled "New drug treats the new face of addiction," individuals can take a daily pill from home. However, doctor follow-ups are necessary to prevent medication abuse. (008)

According to an article from 2008, Methadone is a treatment option for addiction that requires daily visits to a clinic. It is necessary for the patient to consume the substance in front of someone else to prevent abuse outside of the facility.

Individuals who require assistance can consult their family doctor to explore available solutions and potential outcomes. It is crucial for patients to be transparent and candid with their doctors about their issues. The medical professional will assess the situation, and suggest appropriate approaches. There are counseling programs that offer a listening ear for personal concerns and struggles. These counselors can often empathize, as they too, may have experienced addiction firsthand. Alternatively, patients can consider being admitted into an in-patient rehabilitation center.

A treatment center offers medical care and counseling for individuals struggling with addiction. Patients can also connect with others in similar situations. It should be noted that the use of medication during treatment does not imply a desire to become addicted, and help is readily available by phone if necessary.

If someone displays noticeable alterations in their conduct, it is vital to take swift action and seek support. Procrastination may lead to

the establishment of addiction; therefore, if you are unsure whether your loved one needs assistance, do not delay. Remember that obtaining help is constantly available, despite the challenging process of rehabilitation. After overcoming a dependency on powerful medication, it is still possible to live a fulfilling life.

The Drug and Alcohol Resource Center's page on Pain Killer Addiction Information has been provided without a specified date.The citation for an article about painkiller addiction by M. Enis from February 27, 2006 can be found at http://www.addict-help.com/pain-killer-addiction.asp, as of June 6, 2008.The information sourced from the EBSCOHOST Research Database (Gordon, 2006) discusses substance abuse, addiction, and women in the National Women's Health Report (28(6), 0741-9147), while an article from Supermarket News (54(9), 00395803) is also referenced. Both sources were retrieved on June 7, 2008. The original text is enclosed in

tags.The EBSCOHOST Research Database contains information on pain pill addiction withdrawal, as provided by Lindemann (2007) in an article retrieved on May 18, 2007. The source of this information can be accessed at http://ezinearticles and was last viewed on June 6, 2008.

The Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary defines a sedative as a substance capable of causing addiction withdrawal (http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sedative). Conversely, a stimulant is another type of substance with varying effects.

The 2008 version of the Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary is available at http://www.merriam-webster, which was accessed on July 3, 2008. The data can be found in a HTML paragraph tag.The Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary offers definitions for stimulants and tranquilizers, two substances that have varying effects on the body. For details about tranquilizers, users can refer to http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tranquilizer. These resources are available on the internet. Furthermore, USA Today can be consulted as

a source of drug and pharmaceutical information.The Health and Behavior article from 2006 can be accessed from http://www.usatoday.com/news/health/2006-01-23-bupe-treatment_x. The retrieval date for this information was June 6, 2008.On June 19, 2008, the Drugs and Treatments page on WebMD was visited at http://www.webmd.com/drugs/index-drugs.aspx. The article "Pain Killer" authored by Wickelgren, I was released on April 8, 2005.The ProQuest Database provides access to Current Science, Volume 90, Issue 14, which can be retrieved on June 7, 2008. This information is enclosed in a HTML paragraph tag.