The Problem That Will Not Go Away
Posted by Vista Bay Rehab on June 9th, 2012 in Blog
Every day there seems to be another news story about the prescription drug problem. This week one was published about the continued increase in abuse of the painkiller hydrocodone which is now the number one most abused prescription in the country.
The media is concerned about the issue, law enforcement is making statements and the United States government continues to publish shocking statistics and press releases about plans to attack the problem.
There are several things that have been put into place to stop the problem which include:
1. A Prescription Drug Database
2. National and Local Take Back Days to properly dispose of prescription medications.
3. Information out to doctors about those trying to get fraudulent prescriptions.
4. Educational Efforts from public prevention organizations as well as public and private drug treatment programs.
Unfortunately there is one place where limits and exclusion of prescriptions in most needed but not done; this is in the drug treatment field.
Many treatment organizations will prescribe addicts more drugs or put them on replacement drugs for addiction. This not only causes side effects but promotes cross-addiction. It is also a major factor in relapse after treatment.
Programs that last more than 90 days and are completely drug free have gotten the best statistics for recovery rates in clients. On a national level treatment centers should not be prescribing addicts more drugs.
For information on drug treatment through Vista Bay contact us today.
