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Prescription Drugs for Pain Management: Pros and Cons
One of the most controversial developments in medical science in recent years has been the development of new prescription drugs to treat pain in the opioid family of drugs. These drugs, such as OxyContin, have been linked to increasing rates of prescription drug abuse and addiction and many physicians are advocating greater scrutiny of how they are used and prescribed within the medical profession. However, opponents of greater regulation fear that this may make the lives of individuals suffering chronic pain even more difficult. According to the American College of Preventive Medicine (ACPM): "Ethics drive physicians to prescribe, but fear of sanctions may affect physician prescribing behaviors, which might compromise quality of care." The decision to prescribe potentially addictive drugs such as opioid painkillers must be decided upon specific criteria, including the degree to which the patient's life is being compromised by pain, the potential for addiction, and the availability of alternative remedies.
The cost-benefit analysis regarding pain treatment is a difficult decision for a healthcare provider to make. On one hand, proper pain management is an important component of medical treatment and care. On the other hand, the National Center...
population only rose 13%," and the health status of the general population cannot be explained by this noticeable spike. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), there is also notable state-by-state variation in prescription rates. The Alabama has three times the amount of opioid prescriptions than that of the lowest-prescribing state of Hawaii. These also cannot be explained by regional disease rates and indicates that factors other than the health needs of the population are affecting prescription rates.
Opiate painkillers are highly addictive. Their chemical makeup is not dissimilar to that of heroin and there is a high correlation, according to a 2014 JAMA Psychiatry, between opioid abuse and eventual heroin use. It should be noted that JAMA did not advocate the total cessation of the use of these prescription painkillers, given that their short-term use may be necessary and effective for some patients (Lopez). However, for many patients, especially those that are not coping with debilitating pain, the risks of using the painkillers outweigh the potential benefits. More than…
Works Cited
Lopez, German. "The debate over prescription painkillers, explained." Vox. 16 May 2015.
Web. 2 Jul 2015.
"Opioid painkiller prescribing varies widely among states." CDC. 2014. Web. 2 Jul 2015.
"Use, Abuse, Misuse & Disposal of Prescription Pain Medication Clinical Reference." ACPM.
Usually, both physical and psychological components need to be addressed. Byrd (2001) explains, the function of brain cells (neurons) is affected when a drug is used repeatedly over a long period of time. Each neuron produces and releases chemicals called neurotransmitters. These neurotransmitters can impact the function of the nerve cell, making it produce and release hormones. "The neurotransmitters that have been associated with addiction include serotonin, dopamine, norepinephrine,
An addiction can be considered a physical and psychological incapability to avoid the consumption of drugs, chemicals, substances, or even taking part in an activity even when doing so causes both physical and psychological harm (Nutt, 2018). The Addiction term is not only applicable when it comes to cocaine and heroin use. Any person who cannot function normally without taking some specific chemical or drug is considered to be substance
It is however important to note that the effectiveness of such a prevention plan is largely dependent on how well it is implemented. In my view, the successful implementation of the plan could see the country freed from the menace of prescription drug abuse. Apart from OxyContin, which is essentially a narcotic painkiller, the other prescription drugs which are commonly abused according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse
Abusing illegal drugs can give rise to crime and violence, even if they are used in an allegedly positive way to 'open up' and 'free' the mind. Even overusing antibiotics, and insisting upon taking them even though one's disease is likely caused by a virus can cause a rise of antibiotic-resistant bacteria and can impact general human health. However, refusing to take certain medical treatments, such as refusing to
Prescription Drug Abuse: Narcotics In today's society, the debate as to whether or not prescription narcotics are necessary in certain situations is one that is fueled mainly be the tendency for patients to overuse after being prescribed these medications. In many situations, patients present with pain that is treated by their respective physicians with prescriptions drugs that fall into the category of narcotics and opiates in order for the cited pain
Drug Abuse in Long Island, New York With more than seven and a half million residents, Long Island, New York is a major center of commerce and education, but like many other densely populated large urban centers, this city also has a significant drug abuse problem. To determine the facts about the problem, this paper reviews the relevant literature to provide epidemiological evidence concerning the incidence of drug abuse in Long