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Essay On Prescription Drug Abuse

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In a rapid response society, prescription medication has become the ultimate quick fix, from stressed out students cramming for exams, to ambitious professionals looking for an edge, to recovering soldiers returning from battle.(source) Prescription drug abuse has become a force to be reckoned with, its effects rivaling that of other illegal drug use. In 2008, prescription drugs were involved in more than half of the reported overdose deaths in the United States. And in addition to rising death tolls, prescription drug abuse is influencing the healthcare system, insurance companies, and laws both current and future. In order to battle the prescription drug epidemic, the Drug Enforcement Agency is also cracking down nationwide on the distribution …show more content…

A PDMP, which is not regulated by the DEA, collects data regarding the prescriptions dispensed in a given state. Eleven additional states have also executed legislation to implement a PDMP. Moving forward, the challenge for policy and healthcare professionals seems to lie in balancing the monitoring of prescription drugs without infringing on patient privacy and not allowing restrictions to affect those who have legitimate need for medication. Recovery for a prescription drug abuser can be a long and arduous road. Not only will he or she have to endure physical withdrawal, they must confront mental and emotional dependency as well. Rehabilitation and treatment for prescription drug abusers often employs different methods and combinations of counseling and detoxification, performed under a physician’s observation. In cases for certain substances, particularly natural and synthetic opiates, medication (methadone and buprenorphine) can be used to combat addiction. Detoxification of an abused substance will often lead to withdrawals, which can be mentally exhausting and physically painful if not managed by a healthcare professional or treatment center. As the abuser’s system readjusts to the absence of medication, he or she may suffer disturbances in sleep, appetite, and mood or

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