We are faced with a crisis, America’s opioid abuse crisis. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 44 people die everyday due to an opioid overdose, and this number continues to increase significantly. With opioid addiction fueling an epidemic, overdose is now the leading cause of accidental death in the U.S. Abusing an opioid drug commonly begins with a prescription drug.
When taking prescription opioids, such as painkillers, it is easy to fall into addiction. The drug relieves pain by interfering with receptors in the brain and ultimately cause a feeling of euphoria. Many become reliant on this feeling, and eventually feel like it is an essential part of their life. The effects of the drugs are dangerous because of their addictive nature, but there are several medical procedures that require painkillers.
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A doctor may prescribe them to a patient following surgery or a traumatic event until the patient is cured or their pain levels improve. The doctor follows all of the necessary steps to make sure that the point of responsibility is communicated and emphasized for any patient who is in need of prescription painkillers. It is an obligation upon them that they swear to in the Hippocratic Oath, it states to practice for the benefit of the patient and not to give a deadly drug to someone even when asked. Violating this oath, at the least, could result in their medical licence being revoked and them losing their right to practice medicine. Knowing the rights and responsibilities is part of the job, but, just as the doctor has responsibilities, the patient also has a set of responsibilities that should be practiced while they are under