Will a Job in the Medical Field Impact My Prescription Drug Problem?

If you have a problem with prescription drug abuse, a job in the medical field may have a negative impact on your addiction or your recovery. If you are currently addicted to a prescription drug, increased access and proximity to prescription drugs could very well encourage addictive behavior such as stealing drugs or falsifying prescriptions either of which could land you in serious legal trouble. If you are in...

What if I Don’t Want to Stop Using Prescription Drugs?

It can be laborious to quit using prescription drugs. However, using prescription drugs long term can lead to numerous problems and disastrous consequences, and it may even cost you your life. Although it will be challenging, quitting can greatly improve your health, spare you from untold difficulties and may even save your life. Reasons People Continue to Use Prescription Drugs The most commonly abused prescription...

Malingering to Continue Prescription Drug Use

Malingering is a medical term that refers to fabricating or exaggerating the symptoms of mental or physical disorders with the motive of gaining secondary benefits. These benefits may include extending prescription drug use past the point of need. What Are the Perceived Benefits of Malingering? When people malinger, they do so for one of the following reasons: To get financial compensation To avoid school, work or...

Legal Consequences of Prescription Drug Abuse

Some people abuse prescription drugs because it seems safe and easy. Prescription drugs are easy to obtain as you can get them from your own doctor and pharmacist. Even though you don’t have to go to an illegitimate source to buy prescription drugs for abuse, that doesn’t that you can abuse them inconsequentially. Abusing prescription drugs may seem simple and easy, but it is illegal and dangerous. Abusing...

Are Medically-Approved Drugs Safe?

All drugs alter body and brain in one way or another. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves certain drugs for medical use taking into consideration possible side effects and weighing the potential risks against the benefits to the patient. Use Medically-Approved Drugs Only as Directed Medically-approved drugs are considered safe when used as directed, but many can be quite dangerous if used...

Why Should I Throw out Unused Prescription Pills?

Unused or expired prescription medicine must be properly disposed. Keeping unused prescription drugs in the home only allows opportunity for abuse. The drugs no longer serve a legitimate medical purpose for anyone, so there is no point to keep them. Getting rid of the leftover medication prevents children, spouses, friends or the original user abusing the unused pills. This also diminishes the chances of a loved one...

Pain Clinics and Prescription Drug Abuse

Pain clinics are playing a significant role in the spread of prescription drug abuse. Although there are many legitimate clinics that do everything in their power to make sure that the drugs they dispense are being used properly, many recovering addicts point to unscrupulous clinics as a regular source of the drugs they abused. Understanding the Modern Pain Clinic When managed correctly modern pain clinics serve an...

What Is Prescription Painkiller Diversion and Why Is It Dangerous?

According to the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), diversion is the use of prescription drugs for recreational purposes. A person who is abusing prescription painkillers often takes larger doses to achieve a euphoric effect and reduce withdrawal symptoms. However, these larger doses can cause breathing to slow down so much that it stops, resulting in a fatal overdose. The Center for Disease Control (CDC)...

Prevent Addiction: Know What Medication You Are Taking

When taking prescription medication, protect your health by learning about that drug. Several medications have adverse effects and can be highly addictive. Consider the effects of the drug before beginning a prescription to be positive that you are making the most safe, effective decision. How to Avoid Addiction To avoid becoming addicted to your prescription, take the following actions: Talk to your doctor. Ask...

Fears Related to Acknowledging a Painkiller Addiction

Acknowledging a painkiller addiction means accepting and admitting that something has taken over your life. It means accepting the need for professional help and making profound, fundamental changes in your life. It means facing an uncertain future without the familiar, comfortable escape of drug use. The Stigma of Painkiller Addiction Traditionally there has been a social stigma attached to drug addiction. Many...