Disturbing Side Effects of Long Term Prescription Drug Usage
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Over four billion prescriptions are written in America every year, and that number is growing by about a billion every four years. As America ages, long term drug usage to manage a variety of health conditions is becoming more common. The increasing use of prescription drugs is thought to be one factor that is driving an increase in prescription drug abuse. According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, over six million Americans are misusing or abusing their prescription drugs.
Painkillers like hydrocodone are some of the most frequently prescribed drugs in America. In addition to being used to manage short term or acute pain, they are often given to patients dealing with long term or chronic pain. Unfortunately, these popular- prescribed drugs have serious side effects when used over the long term and drug abuse detox can be considerable difficult.
Side Effects of Long Term perscription painkiller drug Usage
The long-term use of painkillers to manage chronic pain from a variety of conditions exposes patients to the unintended side effect of addiction.
Many doctors are reluctant to talk about the side effects of long term prescription drug use with their patients. A study conducted by the National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse revealed that almost half of all physicians have some difficulty in discussing the potential for prescription drug abuse with patients. The study also showed that long term pain management is a problematic area for many doctors, who sometimes fail to recognize the warning signs of prescription drug abuse in their patients.
Painkillers are meant to be taken according to a strict regimen. Regular dosages help fight pain without dangerous side effects, and are thought to reduce the chances of addiction.
When taken over the long term, painkillers—even when taken according to schedule—can cause their users to become addicted. However, the legitimacy of prescription drugs has an unintended side effect: they can blind the user, family, and friends to the signs of addiction.
Long term drug effects
Although painkillers are the most commonly abused prescription drugs, other substances can have unintended side effects when used over the long term. Anti-depressants, such as Paxil, can trigger behavioral changes over the course of their usage. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI), another type of anti-depressant, can cause sexual dysfunction and weight gain over long-term use.
The statin families of drugs, which are used to manage cholesterol, are known to cause muscle weakness and soreness in some cases, and are thought to affect memory and vision in rare instances of long-term use. However, Lipitor and other drugs in the statin family are still widely used.
Pain management and relief from depression are just two of the host of benefits that the amazing advances in drug technology have given the world. However, gaining the benefits of these drugs often means taking calculated risks. As more Americans take medications over the long term, the need for an awareness of the potential for prescription drug abuse grows.
Tags: long term, Prescription Drugs, Side Effects