Poisoning is now the leading cause of death from injuries in the United States

A 2008 study revealed misuse and abuse of pharmaceutical drugs, used to treat injuries are continuously on the rise. In 1980, traffic accidents outnumbered deaths 5 to 1 in comparison to drug poisoning. However, those two statistics now compete side by side as the problem with prescription drug deaths continues to escalate.

The Center for Disease (CDC) reported that almost 50% of Americans were using some form of Therapeutic Drugs (47.9% to be exact) between the period of 2005-2008. The data included in the report:

•Percent of persons using at least one prescription drug in the past month: 47.9% (2005-2008)
•Percent of persons using three or more prescription drugs in the past month: 21.4% (2005-2008)
•Percent of persons using five or more prescription drugs in the past month: 10.5% (2005-2008)
(http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/databriefs/db81.htm)


The answer to the problem isn’t always as simple as a “yes or no”. Many prescription drugs, when used properly, are needed as part of the healing process. However, long term use of pain medication can lead to complications that require professional guidance to “wean” you off of them.

The weaning from the use of the prescribed drug and the length of time the drug is used is the greater concern. Pain Management physicians can provide guidance and oversight in the administration of noninvasive and nonpharmaceutical pain therapy for pain relief. Rarely will they recommend pharmaceutical drugs as part of their therapy.

Alcohol or other drugs can have severe, if not deadly, effects when combined with prescribed medication. New studies are constantly on the rise revealing that the combination of prescription drugs mixed with alcohol has deadly, neurological effects.

“The Science of Addiction” (http://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/science-addiction) provides substantial evidence that present the harmful effects of drugs mixed when alcohol and their long term consequences.

One fascinating topic covered is how the brain continuously desires the drug of choice once it feeds the “reward” portion of the brain that causes addiction:

“Our brains are wired to ensure that we will repeat life-sustaining activities by associating those activities with pleasure or reward. Whenever this reward circuit is activated, the brain notes that something important is happening that needs to be remembered, and teaches us to do it again and again, without thinking about it. Because drugs of abuse stimulate the same circuit, we learn to abuse drugs in the same way.” (http://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/science-addiction/drugs-brain)


Drug addiction isn’t a character weakness; it’s a natural tendency the brain desires once the reward circuitry is activated. Avoiding the use of drugs that stimulate the part of our brain’s circuitry, or at the very least avoiding long term use is extremely crucial to enabling our body to heal.

If you or someone you know have a prescription drug dependency, seek immediate treatment by a trained medical expert specializing in prescription drug addiction.

Quick Tips for Wellness: Be aware of the long term effects from any drug you are consuming.

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