A recent visit to the oral surgeon with my teenage son to have his wisdom teeth abstracted sparked some concern about how over prescribed narcotic pain killers are to adults and teens. Especially, to youth under the age of 18 for non-serious surgical procedures.
Almost everyone can say they know someone who is addicted prescription pain medication or who has overdosed from prescription pain medication. Prescription pain medication addiction is an epidemic sweeping across the United States and have caused more overdose deaths than overdose deaths to heroin and cocaine combined.
I have always been against the use of highly addictive narcotic pain killers except while under closely monitored situations and only in as needed cases to control intense pain for patients. In my opinion, the production of hydrocodone should be stopped. It has become a street drug and many patients addicted to hydrocodone exaggerate their pain levels in order to get their hands on the drug. Doctors are just too willing to prescribe the drug to addicts. However, 99% of doctors have abused the federally recommended 3 days dosage limit. Some doctors exceed the limit by prescribing month long dosages. Insurance companies contribute to the problem of abuse by making it the most affordable opiate for insurance coverage and pharmaceutical companies issuing coupons similar to this one below.
Despite the warning labels and federal recommendations, doctors put hydrocodone and other highly addictive narcotics in the hands of teens and adults every day leading to addiction. Even after requiring the pharmacies to fill out forms for narcotic prescription drugs is not slowing down the doctors from over prescribing prescription drugs if no one is monitoring the frequency the drug is being prescribed.
According to the Health: Chronic Pain
"Misinformation particularly seems to be at play when it comes to tackling back pain and dental pain. While more than 70 percent and 55 percent of doctors say they prescribe narcotic painkillers for back pain and dental pain, respectively, these drugs are not considered the ideal treatment for either condition, according to the safety council."
Hydrocodone (Zohydro ER) is the number one most over prescribed prescription narcotic pain killer. Hydrocodone is the number one abused prescription drug by adults and our youth. According to the Department of Health and Family Services, while other forms of drug addiction has lowered nationwide. Non-medical use of Vicodin has increased at increasingly high rates among our youth. Nearly 2 million individuals suffer from Vicodin addition.
If you or someone you know would like help suffering from drug addition contact the American Addition Center at 877-746-0052 or by clicking on the link provided.
