NCJ Number
205623
Date Published
September 2004
Length
0 pages
Annotation
This video by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) presents an expert panel discussion on the addiction, effects, and treatment of the non-medical use of prescription drugs.
Abstract
This edition of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) video series, “The Road to Recovery” focuses on the non-medical use of prescription drugs, specifically who is misusing prescription drugs, exploring addictions associated with prescription drug misuse, and learning how people are finding treatment and regaining their lives. A panel discussion of experts was presented with questions pertaining to each of these issues. Statistics have shown that an increase in the problem of the misuse of prescription drugs is second only to marijuana. In addition, there has been an increase in the prevalence of this misuse by adolescents. The three most highly misused prescription drugs are pain killers, stimulants, and tranquilizers. Several addiction treatment programs, approaches, and partnerships are presented and include: a joint-partnership public awareness campaign with SAMHSA and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), St. Charles Clinic in Virginia, and the Federation of State Physicians Health Program. Behavioral characteristics of addiction presented include: (1) loss of control over drug use; (2) compulsive use of the drug; and (3) continued use of the drug despite problems. Red flags in identifying an individual with an addiction include: (1) when the addiction interferes with life; (2) physical symptoms; (3) when there is a medical emergency; and (4) receiving feedback from others. Other questions addressed by the panel include: (1) what does it mean to be in recovery; (2) where can an individual look for help; (3) what is the patient’s role in preventing misuse; (4) what is the pharmacist’s role in the verification process of prescription drugs; and (5) what regulatory safeguards have been put in place? Throughout the discussion it was acknowledged that in addition to the increase in the misuse of prescription drugs by youth there has been an increase in the misuse by the elderly, which has been somewhat overshadowed by the focus on adolescents.