PRESCRIPTION PAINKILLER ABUSE AND ADDICTION KAREN REYES BIOLOGY UNIVERSITY OF HOUSTON-DOWNTOWN

BACKGROUND INFORMATION: The abuse of prescription painkillers has become a serious concern in the U.S. The number of people young and old abusing painkillers has been rising over the two past decades. Abusing prescription painkillers can mean using them without a prescription, using them in ways other than specified on the bottle, or using them to get high instead of to relieve pain. Illegal street drug use has declined in the U.S., but abuse of prescription medications, and especially painkillers, has been increasing One in five Americans report misusing a prescription drug at least once in their lifetime, but the overwhelming majority put the pills away with no lasting harm. For people with an inborn vulnerability to opioid addiction, taking pain pills can lead to an intoxicating rush that makes the brain want more.

CONSEQUENCES: People can overdose easily even on the first time of the abuse. Painkillers work by blocking messages of pain to the brain. They also cause a feeling of happiness and drowsiness, which can be very addictive. Painkiller abuse has serious short and long term effects. People who have to take painkillers over a long period of time may become physically dependent on a painkiller, which means that their body is used to the painkiller and they can’t just stop taking it all at once or they will suffer from withdrawal.

SHORT EFFECTS SOME SHORT-TERM SIDE EFFECTS INCLUDE: SLURRED SPEECH STAGGERING OR BECOMING CLUMSY UNUSUAL SWEATING NAUSEA VOMITING NUMBNESS IN EXTREMITIES, INCLUDING HANDS AND FEET DILATED OR CONSTRICTED PUPILS

CONTINUE: The abuse can also have long-term effect which includes: Tolerance for painkillers, meaning a normal, safe dose no longer controls pain A greater risk for abusing or becoming addicted to other drugs, especially in young people Damage to a person’s brain and his or her ability to learn, especially if the person abusing painkillers is young Liver damage

AFFECT FAMILY AND PEOPLE AROUND YOU. Addiction affects the stability of the home, the unity of the family, mental and physical health, and the overall family dynamic. studies show that children of addicts often follow the pattern of abusing alcohol or drugs. Frustration, anger, bitterness, betrayal, shame, guilt, and hopelessness set in with all the family members.

Continue: When addiction is chronic, family finances are often in shambles. Many families lose their homes, go into bankruptcy, or face serious economic consequences when bills can’t be paid. There may be serious legal problems, even resulting in jail time for the addict as a consequence of his or her actions All the family requires treatment., such as family therapy. Relapse is common and it is essential to have the support of family and friends through the recovery phase.

TREATMENT Treatment for painkiller abuse needs to involve both physical and psychological help. It can also include counseling or inpatients or outpatients programs The number of people seeking treatment has increase for over 300 percent. People who abuse painkillers need to be treated for physical dependence, psychological dependence, or both.

CONTINUE: A person should not stop taking painkillers suddenly; they need help to overcome their physical dependency or addiction. Medical detox programs can be short or long, and can be inpatient, where the patient lives at the hospital or facility, or outpatient, where the patient stays at his or her own home at night. Inpatient programs tend to be more effective for most people, especially if they have developed a dependence on the painkillers. The success of painkiller abuse treatment varies from person to person.

CURRENT FOCUS: There are various treatments, support ground, therapy and programs that can help a abuser of painkiller meds to overcome it. Successful treatment may incorporate several components, including detoxification, counseling, behavior management and the use of pharmacological therapies. Multiple sessions of treatment may be needed for the patient to make a full recovery. Narcotics Anonymous is a great source for helping people fight their addiction. People have more access with there type of this medicines than 15 or 20 years ago. It is a growing concern.

WORK CITED "Painkiller Abuse Overview." Pain Killer Abuse. N.p., Web. 26 Mar Hoffman, Matthew. "Prescription Painkiller Abuse: How Addiction Happens." WebMD. WebMD, n.d. Web. 25 Mar "How Does Addiction Affect the Family?" Drug Addiction Treatment. N.p., 25 Aug Web. 26 Mar "Prescription Drug Addiction: Information and Treatment." Treatment for Prescription Drug Addiction. N.p., n.d. Web. 26 Mar