Prescription drug abuse is a growing problem, especially among the elderly and teenagers. A lot of people have experienced illness or have had accidents that require drastic pain management at some point in their lives. In addition, an increasing number of people have experienced such severe states of anxiety or panic attacks that they have opted for medication treatment. Any of us can be in this position and therefore vulnerable.
Teenagers, even when not requiring medication treatment, have figured out that they can acquire whatever high or mellow state they desire by rummaging in their parents' bathroom cabinet. Once the supply runs out or fear of discovery takes over, the next possibility of acquisition is the internet. A 2004 study (quoted in a National Institute of Drug Abuse newsletter--web link below) found that 9.3 percent of 12th-graders reported using Vicodin and 5.0 percent OxyContin, making these painkillers the most commonly abused prescription drugs among adolescents. Because of the easy availability of these drugs through the World Wide Web, the problem has been on the rise and continues to be so.
The elderly are in danger of becoming dependent on these addictive drugs because they suffer in general from more chronic ailments requiring continued use of pain medication. Often the patient, his or her family and physician decide that the side effects of an addiction to these drugs are worth the relief that it brings the patient from pain and suffering. There is no question that this is a valid choice.
However, for people who likely still have a substantial life span ahead of them it can be tough to wean themselves from the drugs. Once the brain has gotten used to the artificial interruption of certain chemical reactions, the pull for the medication sets in. Right on the heel of the pull for medication follows increasing shame because the person knows that a part of them has given up and given in to an addictive cycle. They have lost control.
For those people who are unable--because of lack of skills--to use the internet another option to get more drugs is to have affiliations with several medical offices. Unfortunately, many physicians are either so overloaded with work or have not been educated enough about the potential for abuse or dependency on various drugs that they do not monitor the patient enough. A survey by the National Institute on Drug Abuse at Columbia University indicated that approximately 50% of primary care physicians have difficulty speaking with their patients about substance abuse (FDA Consumer Magazine, Sept.- Oct., 2001--quoted from
http://www.prescription-drug-abuse.org).
If you have the suspicion that a loved one may be abusing prescription drugs, inform yourself (see list of web links below) and start takings care of yourself. The fear of losing someone to an addiction is too much for most people and the support of others who are going through or have gone through a similar experience is invaluable. Al-Anon, even though for family and friends of alcoholics, would welcome you and so would Nar-Anon, for family and friends of drug addicts. The main thing is that you find people with whom you feel comfortable talking about what is going on for you. Individual counseling can be invaluable on this difficult path as well, especially at the beginning.
If you are the one who has gotten hooked on prescription drugs and don't know what to do, please give me a call and together we can explore your options. Couples counseling can help clarify concerns and options.
Gudrun Zomerland, MFT at 707-575-8468 or 415-446-5532.
Useful for helping professionals since these sites list various medications and substances by categories:
