Alternative Technics Researched to Curb Prescription Drug Abuse

February 07,2013

With what has now been dubbed an epidemic, a massive wave of opioid addiction is sweeping the nation, which has many scrambling for a solution to the problem.

Alternative Technics Researched to Curb Prescription Drug Abuse

With what has now been dubbed an epidemic, a massive wave of opioid addiction is sweeping the nation, which has many scrambling for a solution to the problem. With an annual death toll that surpasses that of car accidents across the nation, not only are government and local agencies looking for the answer, even communities are becoming desperate to intercept the flow of prescription painkillers. As the problem worsens, alternative techniques are being investigated for any means of halting the flow.

The first place people are turning to for an answer is the source from which painkillers come from.

All doctors take an oath in which they vow to never do harm to a patient. Some of these doctors however, are causing death instead of aiding their patients”whether it's for profit gain, recklessness, or being negligent. But by deliberately supplying medication for the sake of making money, there are doctors out there whose main concern is their paycheck, instead of the health of their patients. Although this does not include all doctors, there are still many physicians out there who are blatantly ignoring the level of severity that opioid addiction has reached.

Many legislators are currently pushing for mandatory use of prescription monitoring systems in their area. While the monitoring systems are currently optional, many hope that by making the use of the system mandatory, more physicians will stick to the guidelines and prescribe pain medication sparingly. Also, to help track down the origination of so many overdose deaths, legislation is pushing for a comprehensive county coroner's report of any deaths that involve overdose of prescription drugs. The more the authorities are able to track pain medication back to doctors, the more careful they'll be in prescribing medications.

Another more serious venture that is being tested for possible solutions is a medical experiment that may hopefully replace the need for prescription medication. Research has been steadily leading to the production of new medicines that do not hold the addictive potential that drugs such as Oxycodone possess. But even more advanced than that is the electro-stimulation experiment which could change pain management forever. In the experiment low-doses of electricity stimulate certain parts of the brain in order to release a hormone which is considered to be one of the body's most powerful painkillers. At first glance this experiment may have some remembering frightening stories of past psychiatry attempts however, this new method is highly refined and is being designed to be painless. It is hoped that as this now trial based experiment is developed the use of opiate painkillers will sharply decrease.

On the matter of prescription drug abuse in the army, a 2010 report in July revealed that one-third of all active-duty military suicides involved prescription drugs. This and other studies produced a warning from the Army Surgeon's General Office noting that certain prescription painkillers were causing post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms to intensify rather than lessen, last spring. Also because of the steadily increasing problem that veterans and active duty soldiers are facing with addiction to prescription painkillers the Department of Veteran Affairs is spending roughly $5 million on a dozen clinical trials and demonstration studies of alternative techniques. Included are therapies involving mediation, yoga and trained dogs to help veterans manage the stress and depression that comes with PTSD.

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When a person suffers from a severe case of drug or alcohol addiction, the best method of treatment is seeking professional help at an addiction treatment facility. Licensed therapists and counselors are trained to conduct effective treatment for various kinds of addictions, as well as mental health issues and those suffering from psychological distress. For additional information on drug abuse and addiction treatment services, you may reach us at:

Florida Center for Recovery “ Addiction Treatment Center: 1-800-960-5041

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Florida Center for Recovery

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MARK KILLAR

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