| Relieving pain from a patient while steering clear from | | | | effects that the drug could have, especially during |
| the possible addiction to pain killers has become the | | | | the first few days during which the body is adapting |
| specific problem health care provider constantly fight. | | | | to the medication. |
| This is the reason why doctors under-prescribe | | | | ●Be aware of the potential interactions with |
| painkillers, because they fear the patients to become | | | | other drugs. |
| addicted to medications such as morphine and | | | | ●Do not increase or decrease doses or |
| codeine. Although these drugs carry a heightened risk | | | | abruptly stop taking a drug without consulting a |
| of addiction, research has shown that providers' | | | | health care provider first. |
| concerns that patients will become addicted to pain | | | | ●Never use another person's prescription. |
| medication are mostly unfounded: Most patients who | | | | Role and responsibilities Of Pharmacists |
| are prescribed opioids for pain, even those | | | | Pharmacists can prevent prescription drug misuse and |
| undergoing long-term therapy, do not develop an | | | | abuse by: |
| addiction. | | | | ●Explaining how to take medication properly. |
| The few patients who do develop such an addiction | | | | ●Informing the patient about the effects the |
| usually have a history of psychological problems or | | | | medication may have. |
| prior substance abuse. In fact, studies show that the | | | | ●Providing advice about any possible drug |
| potential to abuse opioid medications is usually low in | | | | interactions. |
| healthy, drug-free volunteers. One study found that | | | | They can also help prevent prescription fraud or |
| only 4 out of about 12,000 patients who were given | | | | diversion by looking for false or altered prescriptions. |
| opioids for acute pain became addicted. In a study of | | | | Role and responsibilities of Health Care Providers |
| 38 patients suffering from acute pain, most of whom | | | | Health care providers not only prescribe needed |
| received opioids for 4 to 7 years, 2 had become | | | | medications appropriately, but also: |
| addicted, and both held histories of drug abuse. | | | | ● Identify prescription drug abuse when it |
| The issue of inadequate prescription of opioids which | | | | exists. |
| leads to the suffering of patients has led to the | | | | ● Help the patient recognize the problem. |
| development of guidelines for pain treatment. This | | | | ● Set goals for recovery, and seek |
| may help bring an end to under prescribing, but | | | | appropriate treatment such as Drug Rehab when |
| alternative forms of pain control are still necessary. | | | | necessary. |
| NIDA-funded scientists constantly search for new | | | | Screening for any type of substance abuse can be |
| ways to control pain and to develop new pain | | | | integrated into regular history taking with questions |
| medications that are as effective as the drugs we | | | | about what prescriptions and over-the-counter drugs |
| use today but do not have the draw back of a | | | | the patient is using and why. Screening also can be |
| potential addiction. | | | | performed if a patient presents themselves with |
| Assessing Prescription Drug Abuse: Four Simple | | | | specific symptoms associated with the abuse of a |
| Questions | | | | substance. |
| ●Have you ever felt the need to cut down | | | | Over time, an indication of the development of |
| on your use of prescription drugs? | | | | tolerance can be seen in a rapid increase in the |
| ●Have you ever felt annoyed by remarks | | | | amount of a drug needed or frequent requests for |
| your friends or loved ones made about your use of | | | | refills before the quantity prescribed should have |
| prescriptiondrugs? | | | | been used. Providers should note these changes |
| ●Have you ever felt guilty or remorseful | | | | immediately and they should also be alert to the fact |
| about your use of prescription drugs? | | | | that those addicted to prescription medications may |
| ●Have you ever used prescription drugs as a | | | | engage in "doctor shopping," moving from provider to |
| way to "get going" or to "calm down?" | | | | provider in an effort to get multiple prescriptions for |
| Role and Responsibilities of Patients | | | | the drug they abuse. Preventing or halting prescription |
| There are many ways that patients can help prevent | | | | drug abuse is an important part of patient care. |
| prescription drug abuse. | | | | However, health care providers should not avoid |
| ●When visiting the doctor, provide a | | | | prescribing painkillers, if they are required. |
| complete medical history and a description of the | | | | This article was put together with the help of |
| reason for the visit to ensure that the doctor | | | | Narconon. Narconon is a non-profit drug rehab |
| understands the Complaint and can prescribe | | | | program dedicated to eliminating drug abuse and drug |
| appropriate medication. | | | | addiction through drug prevention, education and |
| ●If a doctor prescribes medicine, follow the | | | | rehabilitation. |
| directions for use carefully and learn about the | | | | |