Pain Pill Abuse in the United States - Report Example

Pain Pill Abuse in the United s - Pain Pill Abuse in the United s Introduction: Over the past few years, the complex problems of chronic pain and substance abuse have been steadily growing both in scope and severity which has inevitably increased the number of individuals suffering from substance abuse disorder. Over the past few decades, millions of Americans have succumbed to the drug war and millions of individuals still continue to perish as a result of drug abuse, its smuggling and related crimes. The epidemic of prescription pill abuse and addiction has been plaguing the American society for the past few decades claiming countless lives during its course. Unfortunately, with the passage of time, the drug virus has gained strength and tightened its clutches around our society. (Relieving pain in America, 2011). Our nation seems to be losing the war against drug abuse despite having the best medical facilities in the world, an unparalleled education system and state of the art research laboratories. The growing concerns over the rise of opioid abuse, overdoses and abuse related deaths over the past two decades have made it quite difficult for patients in dire need of opioid analgesics to gain access to pain relievers. Ironically, it has been observed that despite strict control over the provision of opioid analgesics it is somehow easier for the addicts to get access to opioids as compared to nursing homes and medical facilities. Prescription Pain Pills: The plant Papaver somniferum, the opium poppy, has been the source of various medications since the last 3,500 years. Poppy plants were cultivated for their sedative, analgesic, and anti-diarrheal properties in the Greco-Roman era. Today, two groups of medications are available which are derived from Papaver somniferum; Opiates and Opioids. The naturally occurring compounds derived from the active alkaloids of opium poppy are known as Opiates, whereas, the synthetic or semi synthetic compounds are referred to as Opioids. The Opiates include morphine, codeine and thebaine. On the other hand, the Opioids consist of synthetic and semi synthetic compounds such as methadone, pentazocine and oxycodone. Pain pills are prescribed for the management of pain and suffering associated with terminal illness. The active ingredient in pharmaceutical pain medication is either an opiate or an opioid which after metabolism yields a compound which is chemically identical to the opiate present in Heroin. (Johnson 2011). Etiology: Opiate dependence has no clearly defined etiology. The risk of opiate dependence is governed by multiple factors such as genetics, psychiatric co morbidity, social and environmental exposures. In accordance with Twin studies, genetic risk for opiate dependence accounts for about 45-50% of the risk for opiate dependence. Moreover, drug exposure also plays a central role in the development of addiction among adolescents. (Johnson 2011). Epidemiology: In the United States, the primary abused opiate throughout the twenty first century was Heroin. Epidemics of opiate dependence broke out soon after World War I, World War II and the Vietnam Conflict. The dependence was particularly severe among victims of sexual abuse, psychiatric disorders and combat trauma. According to the report of the National Survey on Drug Use and Health published in 2006, the number of individuals who have used Heroin at least once in their lifetime is 3.79 million whereas, the number of individuals addicted to prescription pain pills are 250,000. (Johnson 2011). Abuse of Opioid Analgesics: Traditionally, the United States Drug Authorities perceived that opioid analgesics abuses occupied a relatively small portion of the nation’s drug addiction problem. However, recent statistics have revealed contrasting results. A period of abuse was initially triggered when susceptible individuals discovered the potent euphoric effect of the injection containing Talwin and amphetamines. The abuse of the injection was significantly eliminated when the FDA ordered reformulation of the medications in the form of tablets. The reformulated medications produced an effect that was antagonist to euphoria when the tablets were crushed and injected intravenously. The introduction of OxyContin® in1996 triggered a severe pain pill abuse epidemic in the United States. In accordance with the report of the National Survey on Drug Use and health, the number of non medical users of pain relievers approximately ranged from 700,000 to 1,000,000. However, soon after the introduction of OxyContin® the number of non medical users of pain relievers tripled in a five year period and reached an excruciating number of 2,500,000. (Johnson 2011). Non-Traditional Drug Addicts: For FDA, The diversion of opioid analgesics has become a national public health problem because of its easier access to the addicts as compared to the health facilities where it is genuinely required. Recent statistics pertaining to pain pill abusers are disturbing. It has been revealed that 2.2 million new users took up pain pill abuse in the year 2007 alone. Even more concerning factor is the age of the addicts which is estimated to be 21 on the average. This implies that the most productive age group of the society is being corrupted by this evil addiction. The typical stereotyped “drug addicts” are not the only ones addicted to pain pills but 1 in 12 high school seniors admit that they indulge in non medical usage of opioid analgesic Vicodin. Furthermore, the report of “Monitoring the Future” 2010 study revealed that at least 1 in 20 high school seniors is a non medical user of OxyContin. (OXYCONTIN) Such statistical facts signifies that pain pill addiction is no longer limited to the stereotyped “drug addicts” but has also impregnated the higher class. The access to opioid analgesics is quite easy for drug addicts and almost half of the non medical users obtain them from “a friend or relative for free”. In turn, 1 out of 4 friends or relative obtained the pain pills from a single doctor which reflects the fact that health care facilities are not handling the diversion of opioids properly. Lastly, more than 18 percent of the individuals obtained pain pills from their own doctor which reflects the failure of the health care institution. (Relieving pain in America, 2011). Pain Pill Addicts among Athletes: Athletes constitute a group of individuals who are particularly very susceptible to pain pill addiction because they are prescribed pain relievers such as oxycodone, vicodin, and other opiates to accelerate their recovery from injuries. However, as soon as the recovery process starts to reach an end, the drug addiction worsens. The problem worsens when athletes do not try to wean themselves off the prescription pills and become physically and psychologically dependent upon them to the extent that they cannot perform their daily activities without the usual dose of opioid analgesic. (Athletes & Injury Rehabilitation, 2012). Drug Addicts in the ER: In order to gain access to pain pills, most addicts rush to check in the Emergency Rooms of hospitals. In efforts to obtain new supplies, the addict usually claims that they have either lost their pain or it has been accidently ingested by their pets. Most doctors working in the Emergency Rooms departments revealed that the incidence of prescription pain abuse has increased considerably over the years. A number of drug addicts exclusive of the category of typical “drug addicts” obtain their supply of pain pills from doctors that have been accused of operating alleged “pill mills”. At these “pill mills” influential individuals can easily obtain prescription pills without undergoing a thorough examination. In accordance with the statistics provided by the federal Drug Enforcement Agency, the consumption of pain pills has accelerated between the years 1999 and 2009. The statistics reveal that in West Virginia alone, per capita consumption of oxycodone has increased by 294 percent and the consumption of morphine has shown an increase of 199 percent. (Knezevich). A large number of individuals become drug addicts after being prescribed pain relievers to alleviate post operative pain. Drug dependence among such individuals worsens with the progression of each day until they become addicted to the extent that it becomes absolutely necessary for them to steal or purchase the drugs illegally. Such pain pill addicts do not belong to the category of typical “drug addicts”. (Pennington). Conclusion: The prescription pain pill epidemic is worsening with the passage of time and unfortunately it has now targeted individuals of the higher society. Athletes have also succumbed to the clutches of opioid analgesic addiction and so have celebrities from Hollywood. The most recent and popular example is of the sensational singer Michael Jackson who became addicted to prescription pain relievers years before his death. (Gardner, 2011). The above mentioned facts justify the statement that drug addiction is no longer a problem of typical “drug addicts” but has evolved into a national public health concern. There is ONLY 111 words on this page!! There is plenty of room left on this page! With all due respect, you are already on the 6th page. References: Johnson, B. A. (2011). Addiction medicine: Science and practice. New York: Springer. Institute of Medicine (U.S.). (2011). Relieving pain in America: A blueprint for transforming prevention, care, education, and research. Washington, D.C: National Academies Press. Abuse of Prescription Pain Pills – A Serious and Growing Problem by Carolyn Pennington. (http://today.uconn.edu/blog/2012/03/abuse-of-prescription-pain-pills-a-serious-and-growing-problem/). Medical community grapples with prescription drug abuse epidemic by Alison Knezevich. (http://www.reportingonhealth.org/fellowships/projects/medical-community-grapples-prescription-drug-abuse-epidemic). Athletes & Injury Rehabilitation: Issues with Pain Pills and Heroin Usage, anonymous, 2012. (http://blog.drstankovich.com/blog/2012/01/coaching/athletes-injury-rehabilitation-issues-with-pain-pills-and-heroin-usage/). Michael Jackson was hooked on painkillers, jury told, given by the same dermatologist who gave him Botox injections to the groin By David Gardner 2011.(http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2054370/Michael-Jackson-likely-addicted-painkillers-says-dermatologist-Arnold-Klein.html). Read More