There are several reasons for using pain medications, some of which include systemic diseases, trauma, peer pressure, and being raised in a chemically dependent family. Individuals addicted to pain medication constantly seek pain medicine for any reason, and they may sell or share their medications with their families or friends. One of the major problems in the world is the addiction of drugs such as opioid narcotics and benzodiazepines. Narcotics such as morphine, hydrocodeine, or hydrocodone (Lortab or Lorcet) are central nervous system depressants that decrease the function of vital brain centers especially the respiratory center in the brain stem. In case of an overdose, respiratory centers and the other vital centers in the medulla oblongata stop, resulting in immediate death if emergency CPR and rapid hospitalization are not provided. These medications can cause synergistic respiratory depressant effects if used concomitantly with benzodiazepines or alcohol. Benzodiazepines may result in rapid tolerance. Physical and psychological dependency can result in tolerance and withdrawal symptoms, which ultimately can lead to addiction. Tolerance means that the therapeutic dose of pain medicine is no longer effective to relieve pain. Physical dependency causes also withdrawal symptoms, which typically develop once certain medications are discontinued suddenly.
Medical teams react differently when faced with chemically dependent patients. Some doctors and nurses are aggravated and tired from the manipulative means used by their addicted patients while seeking pain medications, while other practitioners find it difficult to refuse writing prescriptions for pain medications, because they can be subject to legal action for not addressing the patient’s concerns and treating their ‘pain’. There are several measures that can be used to prevent and manage the addiction of drugs:
First, laws should be passed to allow for pain medications that are classified as controlled substances to be only prescribed for severe pain and only for a short duration. Additionally, frequent random drug tests in schools, collages, and all jobs should be implemented. Inspections should occur more often to search for the illegal use of pain medications in public places and in interstate roads.
Medical laws need to be reviewed to work towards the prevention and observation of addiction of drugs, and practitioners should be encouraged to refer their chemically dependent patients to detoxification centers. Strong supervision should be implemented for all patients currently treated with narcotic medications, and doses should be gradually tapered with the eventual goal of discontinuing these medications when the underlying cause of pain is appropriately treated.
Protocols should be set up and distributed on how to refer suspected addicted patients to detoxification centers and follow up on their treatment. Researchers in the pharmaceutical sciences field should be encouraged to develop pain medications that have minor side effects and a low likelihood of causing tolerance or addiction
New social service institutions and rehabilitation centers should be established to help chemically dependent individuals to overcome their financial and social issues.
Laws describing the punishment of illegal possession of drugs and punishment of drug dealers should be reviewed and penalties should become more intense.
Faith-based programs for addicted individuals need to be neutral for all types of beliefs to encourage people of all faiths to be treated. Narcotic Anonymous meetings need to be neutral for all types of beliefs
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