Addiction in Society

Addiction--the thematic malady for our society--entails every type of psychological and societal problem.
Stanton Peele, Ph.D., J.D., has been researching and treating addiction since he wrote Love and Addiction (1975). He also wrote 7 Tools to Beat Addiction. See full bio

Comments on "Dying of Medicine"

Dying of Medicine

Cocaine, methamphetamines, and heroin killed fewer that 1,000 of Florida's 15 million adults in 2007 - less than a third the number killed by tranquilizers and painkillers. Throwing alcohol in with the illicit substances, their death toll was still less than half that from mood medications. Addiction and dangerous drug use are not about illicit substances - they are at the heart of the American experience. Read More

No offense, Mr. Peele...

While this information looks nice on paper, and seems to show a clear and daunting picture of what has historically been, and continues to be, a problem in this country, I can't help but think it needs to be taken with a grain of salt. As I read this blog, a few warning sirens sounded in my mind.

I can't help but wonder how these deaths are being accounted for. Are they all mesaured by deaths caused in individuals with no other pre-existing condition - did they die ONLY because they took a specific medication? Did they die when a medication exacerbated a previous condition, such as a stimulant taken by a person with undiagnosed heart condition? What about the individuals that died from heroin, cocaine, and meth? Does that include deaths caused secondarily by the medication, such as drunk driving or driving while under the influence of tranquillizers?

While this blog touches on a significant problem in our country, I'd like to see the factual basis. Maybe it's the cynic in me, or maybe it's my upbringing in the show-me-state, but either way, I'd need to see Mr. Peele's basis before I could fully accept this blog.

very good point, Christine

I have written about the regular misattribution of death due to heroin overdose http://www.peele.net/lib/overdose.html. These reports by newspapers (including the Times) and coroners are generally based on rumor and innuendo --actual toxicology tests nearly always show the presence of pharmaeuticals in actual drug-related deaths. The curent data are from a compilation by the Florida Medical Examiners Commission of actual autopsies (which include toxicologies). Moreover, they are entirely consistent with repeated results of studies by the DEA.

How I can tell things are true is when the results from official agencies contradict the myths sold to us as part of our culture and government planning.

medicine

Great article about dying of medicine.These are for curing the problems not for reproducing it. These blog have nicely described about avoiding problems. Really, we would be grateful if you provide some more information about drugs.Medicine which is powerful in curing health problems have really made my life wonderful.

self medication

Abuse of any substance is often an attempt to self-medicate. The person who snorts adderol is likely contending with the same issues as the person who snorts cocaine. Drug prevention should be about personal coping skills not the evil of the drugs themselves. My concern is that prescription drugs will just get tacked on to the illegal ones in a fear campaign. My hope is that educators will see prescription abuse as an opportunity to change an ineffective anti-drug mantra. The abuse of less villanized prescription drugs is a perfect chance to start moving away from fearing external substances and instead educating about personal choice and internal locus of control.

Dying of Medicine

These blog have nicely telling about avoiding problems..Medicine which is powerful in curing health problems have really made our life great.While this blog touches on a big problem in our country.
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peter
Addiction Recovery Florida

Most are Unaware of a Severe Problem that is Occuring

I feel that prescription drug addiction isn’t much different than addiction to alcohol or illegal drugs. The difference may be that no one prescribes alcohol or illicit drugs for medical reasons, with the exception of marijuana in some states. Prescription drugs can be effective for those who suffer from chronic pain; however there are many negatives to this, such as dependence and addiction. But most that use drugs for chronic pain do not actually become addicted. It has recently been found that more teens are abusing prescription drugs than any other illicit drug except marijuana. This is ironic considering most parents are worried about teens using drugs like cocaine and heroin. Not many parents would ever guess teens would be using prescription drugs. We must find a way to keep these drugs out of the wrong hands to save lives.
People love the high they get from these meds and many feel that since they are prescribed to people that the drugs cannot harm them. It is important that people get educated about the dangers of using prescription drugs. They do not know the correct amount to take and if there is nothing wrong with them it will do harm. Most people just feel that illicit drugs are harmful, but legal ones can be just as harmful and addicting.
Teens are also abusing over-the-counter medicines, such as cough medicine. Most of the teens get the prescription medicines from relatives and friends. Most of the time these people are unaware that their medicine has been stolen. The other teens just abuse their own medications. About 40 percent of teens state that painkillers are fairly easy to get. Teens can also get prescription drugs from drug dealers.
It is important to find a way to get these drugs out of the wrong hands. Perhaps doctors should be stricter when prescribing medicine. That may resolve one way the wrong people get these medicines. Also those who do have the medication should hide the pills no matter what situation they are in. It is unfair to those who truly need the medicines to take them off the shelves, but at the same time it is killing many people. I feel that the medicines should still be available to those who need them, but that they should just be more difficult to get. It is obvious that the youth needs to be educated on the dangers of all drugs, including prescription medicines. Parents should also be made aware of what is happening in today’s youth. Education and restriction is key to ending the prescription medicine problem.

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