Everyday 91 people die from an overdose in the United States. These deaths are not all from street drugs. Since 1999 prescription related opioid overdoses have resulted in the death of 183,000 people. Many people develop opioid addiction from being prescribed an opioid for common injuries, accidents, or illnesses. Along with opioids, stimulants and depressants are commonly abused and misused and it becoming a growing problem.
Prescription drugs are drugs designed to treat a specific illness, are often strong, and when misused can be dangerous and lead to severe consequences. Abuse occurs when taking someone else’s medication, taking medication in a way other than prescribed, taking it to get high, or mixing it which other drugs (Prescription Drugs 4). There are three kinds that are commonly misused prescription drugs, opioids, antidepressants, and stimulants. Opioids are used to relieve pain, such as Vicodin, OxyContin, or codeine (4). Depressants are used to relieve anxiety or help one sleep, such as Xanax (4). And lastly, stimulants are used for treating attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), such as Adderall (4). When used incorrectly each one of these drugs has a different effect on the brain and the continuation of misusing drugs can eventually lead to addiction.
The brain, it is who a person …show more content…
Many addicted patients are dehumanized and name called by health care professionals, being called “junkies,” “crack heads” and “substances abusers” (25). The surgeon general states, “Addiction should be treated with the same skill and compassion with which we approach heart disease, diabetes and cancer” (26). The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration should help states in strengthening their addiction treatment systems with new standards, education and regulations (26). The opioid epidemic is a “moral test for America,” states the Surgeon General
Prescription drugs are drugs designed to treat a specific illness, are often strong, and when misused can be dangerous and lead to severe consequences. Abuse occurs when taking someone else’s medication, taking medication in a way other than prescribed, taking it to get high, or mixing it which other drugs (Prescription Drugs 4). There are three kinds that are commonly misused prescription drugs, opioids, antidepressants, and stimulants. Opioids are used to relieve pain, such as Vicodin, OxyContin, or codeine (4). Depressants are used to relieve anxiety or help one sleep, such as Xanax (4). And lastly, stimulants are used for treating attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), such as Adderall (4). When used incorrectly each one of these drugs has a different effect on the brain and the continuation of misusing drugs can eventually lead to addiction.
The brain, it is who a person …show more content…
Many addicted patients are dehumanized and name called by health care professionals, being called “junkies,” “crack heads” and “substances abusers” (25). The surgeon general states, “Addiction should be treated with the same skill and compassion with which we approach heart disease, diabetes and cancer” (26). The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration should help states in strengthening their addiction treatment systems with new standards, education and regulations (26). The opioid epidemic is a “moral test for America,” states the Surgeon General