Prescription medication drugs are quick and efficient remedies to help ease any chronic pain or discomfort in the body. However, 20% of the U.S. population has admitted using prescription medication for nonmedical reasons in their lifetime. The increase of prescription drug misuse has led to a higher percentage in emergency room visits because of accidental overdoses and treatment programs for drug addictions. Although they are implemented to medicate physical discomfort, the broad accessibility of prescription drugs given by physicians may instead serve as a detriment to the public. The public mind of how convenient it is for doctors to prescribe medication leads the public to a false impression that prescription drugs are a magical fix.
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“Addiction is a pattern of compulsive drug use characterized by a continued craving for drugs and the need to use these drugs for psychological effects or mood alterations. Many abusers find that they need to use drugs to feel “normal” (Colvin). Simple daily activities such as eating food or drinking water can cause the system to release a small dose of dopamine. Dopamine is a body’s natural chemical, that is involved in producing the sensation of pleasure. “Repeat abuse of opioid drugs floods the system with dopamine, which contributes to the euphoric rush of prescription drug abuse” (Feature Matthew Hoffman). Since the brain is receiving this chemical from an outside source, it stops producing dopamine and the body becomes dependent on the outside source. Opioids or depressants such as Xanax, Valium, Ativan, and Klonopin are used to treat anxiety and sleep disorders. When these depressants are overdosed, the brain receives continuous feelings of euphoria. As the body adjusts to the drug, it becomes more difficult for the person to quit and withdrawal symptoms are more severe. “Common symptoms from painkillers are anxiety, irritability, chills alternating with hot flashes, salivation, nausea, abdominal cramps, or even death” (Colvin). The rising need for the addictive drug may urge the person to take desperate measures and …show more content…
Overdose or addiction can lead to severe withdrawal symptoms, but some say that patients are responsible for their individual actions and should be able to control themselves. Before individuals consume the drug, they should be fully aware of the effects the drug can have on the body. However, the majority of the people who take prescription medication drugs do not take them to get high, but rather to treat chronic pain. Debra Jones started to take painkillers to relieve pain caused by rheumatoid arthritis. “Yet after taking the painkiller Percocet safely for 10 years, the stay-at-home mother of three became addicted after a friend suggested that crushing her pills could bring faster relief. It worked. She began taking six or seven pills a day instead of the three or four a day as prescribed” (Szabo). When taking prescription drugs, individuals believe they have enough strength and power to control themselves in moderation and take the recommended dosages. By the time people think they are able to control themselves from overdosing, it is usually too late as the “body “begs” for more of the addictive drug in order to escape the misery” (Colvin). According to statistics, fewer than 1% of people over 30 become an addict while taking opioids. Because of this statistic, many question, “But since they rarely lead to addiction- and since addiction may sometimes be the
“Addiction is a pattern of compulsive drug use characterized by a continued craving for drugs and the need to use these drugs for psychological effects or mood alterations. Many abusers find that they need to use drugs to feel “normal” (Colvin). Simple daily activities such as eating food or drinking water can cause the system to release a small dose of dopamine. Dopamine is a body’s natural chemical, that is involved in producing the sensation of pleasure. “Repeat abuse of opioid drugs floods the system with dopamine, which contributes to the euphoric rush of prescription drug abuse” (Feature Matthew Hoffman). Since the brain is receiving this chemical from an outside source, it stops producing dopamine and the body becomes dependent on the outside source. Opioids or depressants such as Xanax, Valium, Ativan, and Klonopin are used to treat anxiety and sleep disorders. When these depressants are overdosed, the brain receives continuous feelings of euphoria. As the body adjusts to the drug, it becomes more difficult for the person to quit and withdrawal symptoms are more severe. “Common symptoms from painkillers are anxiety, irritability, chills alternating with hot flashes, salivation, nausea, abdominal cramps, or even death” (Colvin). The rising need for the addictive drug may urge the person to take desperate measures and …show more content…
Overdose or addiction can lead to severe withdrawal symptoms, but some say that patients are responsible for their individual actions and should be able to control themselves. Before individuals consume the drug, they should be fully aware of the effects the drug can have on the body. However, the majority of the people who take prescription medication drugs do not take them to get high, but rather to treat chronic pain. Debra Jones started to take painkillers to relieve pain caused by rheumatoid arthritis. “Yet after taking the painkiller Percocet safely for 10 years, the stay-at-home mother of three became addicted after a friend suggested that crushing her pills could bring faster relief. It worked. She began taking six or seven pills a day instead of the three or four a day as prescribed” (Szabo). When taking prescription drugs, individuals believe they have enough strength and power to control themselves in moderation and take the recommended dosages. By the time people think they are able to control themselves from overdosing, it is usually too late as the “body “begs” for more of the addictive drug in order to escape the misery” (Colvin). According to statistics, fewer than 1% of people over 30 become an addict while taking opioids. Because of this statistic, many question, “But since they rarely lead to addiction- and since addiction may sometimes be the