Research Paper On Painkillers

Painkillers have been around for thousands of years, used in all different ways for many different reasons. Recently, there has been a rise in the abuse of painkillers throughout our country making it now one of the fastest growing addictions in the world.
Because of this rise in addiction more people have been killed by painkillers than by heroin and cocaine. This has spiked a controversy on who is to blame for this rise in abuse of opioids and other painkillers. Many think it’s the fault of doctors for overprescribing, others think it's fault of the consumer for not knowing when they need and when they want painkillers. Overall, this has caused us to wonder not only whose fault it is but how to solve this problem before it's too late.
Many have …show more content…
This however puts the physician at fault if they do prescribe the pain killer to the patient whether they are in actual need of it or not because they can’t determine whether prescribing it is appropriate or not.
For some, the blame goes primarily to the consumer of the painkiller. Being the one in need of the painkiller, or just wanting it, they are in control of the amount they take and how often they take it. They are also aware of when they really need it because of pain or when they want it due to withdrawals or the effects it has on their body. People often put their health decisions in the hands of doctors and pharmaceutical companies but to avoid over prescription and the unnecessary consumption of painkillers all health decisions should be made on your own. Although the doctor is the one prescribing the amount of painkillers and giving them access to possibly too much the consumer is overall in control of the amount they take and knowing when enough is