Prescription substances are abused almost as commonly as street drugs nowadays, and further, the epidemic of pharmaceutical drug abuse itself is America’s fastest growing addiction problem. Pills are apparently regulated and monitored by doctors who follow strict guidelines in the United States—right? Yet, doctors-turned drug dealers have now made the issue of physician drug use common from state to state.
Medical Professionals Are Susceptible To Addiction
Powerful painkillers like Percocet and Hydrocodone are addictive to everyone—teens, adults and medically trained professionals alike. The theory that addiction does not discriminate applies especially to such prescriptions that people, mostly unwittingly, become addicted to by the thousands each year.
Sadly, many professionals working in expert medical fields have higher rates of addiction instances than individuals outside the medical community. This is thought to be largely due to the easy accessibility of drugs that doctors and nurses have. Further, many fear that because doctors and nurses have both easy access to prescription pads and knowledge of prescription fulfillment procedures, they are more able to “outsmart the system,” making physician drug use not uncommon. In fact, medical professionals abuse drugs like Adderall, Xanax, Valium and painkillers quite commonly.
Addiction Affects Rational Thinking
Any street, synthetic or prescription drug addict will tell you that their habitual use of substances dominates all activities, thought processes and daily life. For this reason, parental neglect, criminality, violence and prostitution surround the subject of addiction like flies—most instances of these tragic behaviors can be traced back to substance abuse in the United States.
In this same vein, medical professionals can become dependent on the very prescriptions they give to patients. A doctor might begin using painkillers “off the record” for headaches or back pain from working long hours, and soon an unhealthy rationalization of habitual use sets in.
From the outside looking in, it is quite easy to spot a substance dependency issue. If you have a friend or loved one struggling with addiction or alcoholism, you might know this first-hand. As an addict, however, it is not always easy to see you have a problem for which you need help.
Addicts justify their actions in a number of ways. For example, “I only do it sometimes,” or, “I can live without it,” are common statements you might hear from an addicted person. Drugs and alcohol cloud rational thinking and prevent a person from seeing clearly the damage he or she is doing to themselves and those around him or her.
How Do I Know If I’m Addicted To My Prescription
First and foremost, if you are worried that you are addicted to your prescription—you should talk to your healthcare provider right away.
Prior to taking anything your doctor recommends, do your homework. Get on the Internet, read books and seek a second or even third opinion. Find out what the drug really is and what all the side effects and adverse effects are—both short-term and long-term.
Take the recommended dosage and follow the directions exactly if you are legally prescribed the drug. Do not take a prescription that has not been given to you. Do not accept a pill from a friend or family member.
Most importantly remember that if you start relying on the medication or experience any physical withdrawal symptoms seek immediate help. The longer an addiction goes without treatment the worse it becomes.
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Source: http://denver.cbslocal.com/2012/08/31/physician-drug-use-not-uncommon/