AHS Views

Which is the bigger problem – prescription painkiller addiction or being in pain? This point is being argued in a recent article which reads like a ploy to get more people to take addictive and dangerous prescription drugs. However, the recommendations are coming mainly from doctors, not from those with experience in drug addiction help.

Even so, the author doesn’t even attempt to deny that addiction to prescription painkillers is a growing problem. And according to the most recent studies from the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), the problem is getting worse.

I’m not saying there aren’t some cases where a person needs prescriptions painkillers; after major injury or surgery, for example. But prescription drug addiction has reached almost epidemic proportions. And those who aren’t lucky enough to get into drug addiction treatment are resorting to doctor shopping, stealing from pharmacies, finding dealers on the street and all kinds of other criminal activities.

If the article had been written by someone who had witnessed hundreds of people trying to get off these drugs, the viewpoint would have been different. Living in severe pain isn’t good for anyone, but make sure you check out all your options with both traditional and alternative medicine before you use addictive drugs as a solution. And if you’re already taking prescription painkillers and would like to get off them and explore other options, contact someone who can get you the drug addiction help you need.