The Reasons Why Prescription Drug Addiction Is On The Rise

If you, or a loved one, have ever dealt with a prescription or drug dependency, you probably already know how devastating it can be on both the person who is suffering and their loved ones.

As you find your way through different communities or groups with who you can feel safe enough to express yourself around, you'll likely notice that there are a lot of people out there who deal with issues similar to yours. It's pretty clear that prescription drug abuse is on the rise - so what are the reasons behind that?

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There is Greater Access to Drugs

The simplest answer to why prescription abuse is on the rise is uncontrolled accessibility. For example, NHS data suggests that over 5 years, prescriptions issued for medications that could result in a dependency have risen 3% in the UK. This data also notes that 1 out of 11 patients under their care have been prescribed medication that could be addictive.

A similar situation is true in numerous other countries. For example, in the US, 25% of all counties showed that there were more opioids prescribed than people living there. The easier it is to access prescription medication, the greater the chances of addiction are.

Greater Understanding

Some people suggest that the rise in prescription dependency is not a true rise in the number of people addicted, but that it's simply a rise in the number of cases being reported.

Today, getting help is easier than it has ever been. No matter what you're addicted to, there are people that specialize in treating your specific situation. Taking San Diego as an example for this will show us how far the field has come in pinpointing specific addictions. You can actually find a Xanax rehab center where its employees are well versed in the consequences of addiction to Benzodiazepine, and consequently are able to provide effective treatment that is long-lasting. There are many types and forms of addiction, even some unrelated to prescriptions or drugs in general; thankfully though, the social sentiment towards addicts is improving. Governments and society as a whole are starting to offer more diverse care and rehabilitation facilities; some people suggest that this has led to an increase in people "coming clean" with their addiction issues.

People who could not previously find help or weren't sure about where to even start are now able to actually find and sustain relations with communities that can help. Additionally, family members and friends should have a greater understanding of the signs of drug abuse, making it easier to identify abuse cases.

Misinformation

While there is a growing understanding of the problem of prescription drug abuse, some misconceptions are still commonplace. One of the most common is the idea that prescription drug abuse is safer than other types of drug abuse. This leads to younger people, especially teens, wanting to try out prescription drugs and unwittingly getting addicted.

Additionally, because people believe prescription drugs are not as harmful as other "stronger" drugs, they're more likely to share their medications with family members who complain of any kind of pain. Doctors who have this misconception are also more likely to prescribe these drugs in cases where they may not be necessary - and, as discussed above, greater access leads to greater abuse; be sure to do proper research on a mindful and unbiased doctor.

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Regardless of how you look at it, it's undoubtedly true that the number of prescription drug abuse cases is rising. However, drug abuse does not have to be a life sentence. By getting help, it is possible to move forward with your life.

If you or a loved one is suffering from a drug abuse problem, you should seek out appropriate help as soon as possible. Even if the person with the problem is unwilling to look for help at the moment, friends and family should consider looking for support and people who understand what they're going through to make things a little easier for their suffering loved one.