It’s easy to assume that if something is sold over the counter or even prescribed by your doctor, then it is safe. But this isn’t always the case. In fact many of the seemingly harmless bottles in your medicine cabinet can carry some dangerous risk. Pay close attention to what these dangers are, learn the risk, read the instructions carefully, and don’t be afraid to ask your doctor question. Here are some common dangers hiding in medicine cabinets:
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New drug statistics show that the number of painkiller-addicted seniors is on the rise. USA Today published a study conducted by Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) that found that the number of senior citizens addicted to painkiller and anxiety medication has tripled in the last decade. This goes to show that the prescription drug epidmic is leaving no demographic unaffected. Read more →
There are a few substance abuse red flags to keep an eye out for among healthcare professionals who may be abusing drugs. Substance abuse among healthcare professionals is currently a major concern. Studies estimate that more than 100,000 healthcare workers struggle with substance abuse, often times right under the noses of their coworkers. If you are a healthcare worker be on the lookout for these common signs that a coworker might be abusing drugs. Read more →
In April the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) hosted the National Rx Drug Abuse Summit and revealed some surprising drug abuse facts, particularly about painkillers. Did you know that prescription opiate overdose deaths have quintupled since 1980? And that for every death related to prescription painkillers, there are 115 people addicted to painkillers and 4.35 million dollars in health care costs? And yet these dangerous drugs are being used at alarming rates.
Here are some drug abuse facts that you should be aware of if you are considering taking or currently taking prescription opiate painkillers: Read more →
The dramatic rise in prescription painkiller abuse in recent years is nothing short of epidemic. And the CDC recently reported that many high-risk opioid users get their painkillers with legal prescriptions from their doctors. In observance of last week’s National Poison Prevention Week (March 16-22), the National Safety Council released a list of seven alarming facts about prescription painkillers that many people might not know, but should: Read more →
Recent research shows that not only are doctors abusing prescription drugs at about the same rate as the general population (as many as one out of every ten doctors is struggling with a substance abuse problem), but their reasons for abuse tend to be the same as well. What becomes tricky are the treatment options. What we are finding is that traditional treatment options are not always conducive to the needs of physicians.
A study back in October in the Journal of Addiction Medicine, found that doctors tended to abuse prescription drugs such as Percocet, Oxycontin, Vicodin, sedatives and stimulants more than alcohol or illicit drugs (albeit those substances are abused among physicians as well). And although some doctors abusing prescription drugs did so for recreational use or to get high, many turned to prescription drugs for the following reasons: Read more →
