Research Paper On Prescription Drug Addiction

The United States currently faces an unprecedented epidemic of opioid addiction. This includes painkillers, heroin, and other drugs made from the same base chemical. In the couple of years, approximately one out of twenty Americans reported misuse or abuse of prescriptions painkillers. Heroin abuse and overdoses are on the rise and are the leading cause of injury deaths, surpassing car accidents and gun shots. The current problem differs from the opioid addiction outbreaks of the past in that it is also predominant in the middle and affluent classes. Ultimately, anyone can be fighting a battle with addiction and it is important for family members and loved ones to know the signs. The cause for this epidemic is that the current spike of opioid abuse can be traced to two decades of increased prescription rates for painkillers by well-meaning physicians.

For many years now, we have heard about the controversy of chemically addicted mothers and the detrimental effects is has on their children and unborn fetus. Social norms quickly label mothers as unacceptable or inadequate. For this issue to be addressed, we will look at drug treatment options, the social impact of the problem, ethical concerns, family issues, and incarnation of chemically addicted mother. Furthermore, we will look at addiction prevention.

The unborn children can become physically addicted to the illicit substances used by their mothers, and within 48 to 72 hours and often sooner after birth the babies can start presenting with symptoms of withdraw. Many doctors can often recognize a child in withdraw simply by hearing it cry (Liz & USA, n.d.). Doctors are able to treat them with low doses of methadone, to help ease the symptoms. However, these infants are subject to the equivalent of quitting drugs cold turkey, after absorbing the substances along with their mother (Leinwand & USA, n.d.). The central nervous system and gastrointestinal system symptoms are most common (Kale-Çekinmez et al., 2012). They are irritable and hard to console with a high-pitched cry. Their muscles rigid and stiff, and have seizures and tremors. They have trouble eating, breathing, and they produce a watery diarrhea that can be an irritant to the infant’s skin because of the drugs in their body (Liz & USA, n.d.) (Kale-Çekinmez et al., 2012). According to the Journal of the American Medical Association, the treatment these newborns costs millions, and most of them are covered by the publicly financed Medicaid program (Liz & USA, n.d.). Many states have laws about parental drug use, and government agencies are responsible for protecting children from parents

With access to prescription drugs, people are able to treat a multitude of diseases and illnesses. These drugs help deal with pain, inability to sleep, depression, and much more. Every day we are increasingly living in a world where there is better living through chemicals. However, what most do not seem to see is the rising tide of pain, illness, and ultimately death being caused by the pills people take every day. Most keep drugs in a special place in their minds, where they see them as harmless. Sadly, this is not the case, and in some cases our prescription drugs can be just as harmful as illegal drugs (King 68).

Please pause for a moment, and picture in your mind the washed away remnants of what used to be a seemingly insignificant city; it is rather difficult to recognize from all the earthquake rubble and debris that there once was a town here. Bits and pieces of what used to be homes are now scattered from one end of the view to the other. A gloomy haze of dust, smoke and ash have recently enveloped over the entire countryside. Sounds of screaming, yelling and crying are bombarding one’s hearing senses; a smell of unbelievable human decaying stench is so overwhelming, the odors stimulate the gag reflex and tear ducts to produce endless retching and a cleansing wash of foul air from one’s eyes. Hungry ownerless dogs are fighting over dead infant

The Opioid Epidemic and the Newborn Patient article was written by Dr. Jean Rex and in this article, she talks about the effects that opioids have on families. The article is specific to pregnant mothers and infants. According to Rex (2017), “recent studies have found that 14-28 percent of pregnant women filled a prescription for an opioid medication during their pregnancy.” The use of opioids while pregnant can lead to numerous birth effects for the baby. She also talks about the effects of Neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS) on an infant. The syndrome is caused when an infant is exposed to opioids while in the utero. Dr. Rex continues the article with discussions for a healthcare professional to be able to know the signs

In the past 20 years, prescription opioid abuse has been a rapidly growing issue in the United States. This rapid increase in abuse has led to more overdose deaths, and the increase of individuals pursuing treatment for their addiction (Brady, McCauley, & Back, 2013). The rising frequency of maternal opioid abuse affects thousands of mothers and newborns each year. According to the National Institute on Drug abuse, the use of opiates during pregnancy can result in a drug withdrawal syndrome in newborns called neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS). Almost every drug passes from the mother's bloodstream through the placenta to the fetus. Illicit substances that cause drug dependence and addiction in the mother also cause the fetus

The use of opioids during pregnancy has increased drastically over recent years, causing newborns to fall victim to the opioid crisis. It has now become an epidemic, affecting people in the United States and globally making it a major health concern. A vast percentage leading to the opioid crisis is due to women in their childbearing stages of life. Newborns born to women addicted to opioids suffer through a form of newborn drug withdrawal known as Neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS), resulting in increased admission rates, prolonged length of stay in the hospital and infants often require medication to recover. NAS is a result of opioid exposure in utero characterized by “central nervous system hyperirritability and autonomic nervous system dysfunction” (Kraft et

Although some people argue for the legalization of drugs, addiction to these substances has caused a huge increase in violent crimes in the home, at school, and on the street. Many people do not understand why individuals become addicted to drugs or how drugs change the brain to create compulsive drug abuse. They mistakenly view drug abuse and addiction as strictly a social problem and may characterize those who take drugs as morally weak. One very common belief is that drug abusers should be able to just stop taking drugs if they are only willing to change their behavior. This is a false and uneducated belief. Drug abuse may start as a social problem or social escape but one the addiction has taken ahold of a person

In the United States today, the Federal Government has many laws against the use, distribution, and production of illegal drugs. Drug abuse is growing immensely in the United States. Each year, billions of dollars in drugs are being bought and distributed throughout the United States which in turn causes a spike in overdoses and drug abuse. Statistics have shown that drug overdose deaths were the leading cause of deaths in the United States in 2013. Who does drug abuse mostly affect? Sadly, drug abuse has no set limit or boundaries on who it can affect.

This week I chose to further explore the article Prescription Drug Abuse and Addiction: Past, Present and Future: The Paradigm for an Epidemic written by P. B. Hall MD, DABAM, AAMRO, Denzil Hawkinberry II, MD, DABA, Pam Moyers-Scott, PAC, MPAS, DFAAPA as more and more individuals are abusing and becoming addicted to prescription medications. The article provides a great amount of statistical data for the US but is primarily focused on the population in West Virginia where Governor Joe Manchin III states, “Substance abuse affects a broader segment of West Virginia’s citizens and their state and local governments than any other single issue confronting us today” (Hall, Hawkinberry, II, & Moyers-Scott, 2010). West Virginia is far from the only state facing the prescription drug epidemic as it is becoming more and more prevalent across the US each year. “It is estimated that in 2009, the number of adolescents and adults with a substance abuse and/or dependence problem has reached 23.2 million in the US” (Hall, Hawkinberry, II, & Moyers-Scott, 2010). In the past, addiction has been thought of as the disease of the weak, but with advancement in brain imaging technology to accurately measure neurotransmitters addiction is now recognized as a disease. Prescription drug abuse and addiction has enormous socioeconomic costs in the areas of medical expenses, drug related crime, and unemployment. “Current estimates of the financial burden to society due to substance abuse exceeds half a

As text and research explains, the decision to abruptly stop the usage of a controlled substance can elicit the natural, bodily response which is nothing short of extreme shock to the system. This flight or fight response typically elevates the heart rate, raises blood pressure, surges stress levels and employ additional chaotic issues of concern. Many, like me in the past, may find it difficult to comprehend why professionals tend to recruit the help of prescription medications to treat an individual addicted to a substance. However, further ponderous of thought can help formulate the understanding as to how this method can help addiction, such as with each of the three cases (i.e. Constantine, Joey and Angela) presented in this week’s literature

How would one feel if one found out that their newborn child has birth defect such as mental retardation or seizures just hours of being born, that their babies cannot live a normal life because of the decisions you made during the prenatal care? Is it really worth it? There has been an exponential increase in the amount of babies being exposed to drugs before they are even born in the United States. Further evidence sparks this controversial issue practically showing that drug use by pregnant women is evidently considered child abuse. By defining the necessity to realize the drastic consequences of a newborn being stimulated by prenatal drug ingestion, by refuting counterarguments that fear of legal ramifications will hinder pregnant women

The prescription drug abuse epidemic is skyrocketing and because of this the amount of infants born addicted is astronomically growing. The town of Spring Hill is just one of the many towns in Florida affected by this and was actually considered a hotspot for many Pain Management Clinics, also known as “Pill Mills”. Studies show withdrawal symptoms from opioids are far worse than any other drug and the effects are often lifelong if not deadly. Addicted Infants receive a regimen of pain medication to ease symptoms from withdrawal. Therefore, our goal is to stop the suffering of not only infants in utero, but those born addicted.

Substance abuse is present in every facet of society which does not discriminate among age, ethnic background, race, and gender. Many individuals who abuse illicit drugs use to escape various life events (e.g. past trauma, lose of love one, daily stress, just to name a few). There is a vast disgrace placed upon individuals who uses illicit drugs, especially among pregnant substance abusers. To reduce the rate of drug exposed infants state legislations have been prosecuting these women under child welfare laws with charges ranging from child abuse, neglect, or murder if the mother gives birth to a still born who has been exposed to illicit drugs (Fentiman, 2009). The following news articles illustrate the hardship of maternal substance abuse.