Why Do So Many People Have a Negative Attitude Towards Prescription Medication?

Question by Daniel: Why do so many people have a negative attitude towards prescription medication?
Those of you who like to follow the news and read comments on news articles are probably aware that many people frown upon the use of prescription drugs. A lot of Americans claim that people are too medicated and that taking meds is bad. Why do so many people feel this way? I understand that some people respond to medication negatively – I know that some people develop drug addiction problems and what-not. But others were able to get rid of their health problems (or at least the accompanying symptoms) by using medication. Take Brooke Shields for example – Tom Cruise criticized her use of Paxil for her clinical depression, but Shields explained to the public that it was the Paxil that helped her most. So why do people feel this way about prescription drugs? I don’t think it’s fair to say that drugs are NEVER the answer. Any thoughts? Thanks a lot in advance for your answers!

Best answer:

Answer by Blaine Dante
Hi Daniel,
Great question….I would like to approach it from someone working in the addiction industry. We have seen a 200% – 300% increase in prescription drug addiction cases. It use to be alcohol, heroin, cocaine…but now we sometimes are running100% occupancy with prescription drug addiction. The average is about 70%.
I think the main negative is our clients start off with REAL pain. They may have been in a car accident or some other accident which started them on their path to addiction. We find that a lot of doctor’s are over-prescribing the drugs. People feel that they are coming from their doctor’s so what harm can there be.
I feel so bad for Xanax users who are trying to detox. They usually have increased their dose to a point it would kill a horse. When they try to quit their anxiety goes up. The drug is out of their system in a few days; however the mental detox could last over a year. All we can do is to provide them the addiction management tools to help them cope.
I want to be very clear. There is definitely a place for drugs in our society. They can help people through tough times. I wish they would be monitored more closely.
I hope that answers your questions. I’m not a drug hater. I work the front lines and see how drugs that are mismanaged can ruin someone’s life.

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