11.08.08

Prescription Painkiller Abuse on the Rise

Posted in Get Help, Narcotics Anonymous, Painkillers, Prescription Drugs, Recovery at 1:59 pm by community

The abuse of prescription painkillers has risen dramatically in the U.S. over the past decade. Of particular concern is the abuse of pain medications containing opiates (also known as narcotic analgesics), marketed under such brand names as Vicodin, OxyContin, Percocet, Demerol, and Darvon.

According to the Drug Abuse Warning Network (DAWN), the incidence of emergency department (ED) visits related to narcotic analgesic abuse has been increasing in the U.S. since the mid-1990s, and more than doubled between 1994 and 2001.

Here are some interesting statistics that I recently came across in my research from The US Department of Health and Human Service.

  • In 2004, there were an estimated 90,232 ED visits related to narcotic analgesic abuse, a 117 percent increase since 1997.
  • Nationally, narcotic analgesics were involved in 14 percent of all drug abuse-related ED visits in 2004.
  • In 2001, approximately one-third of the narcotic analgesics reported to DAWN were not specified by name (32,196 mentions). Among the named narcotic analgesics, hydrocodone led with 21,567 mentions, followed by oxycodone (18,409 mentions).
  • Oxycodone mentions increased 70 percent from 2000 to 2001, compared to the 186 percent surge in mentions from 1999 to 2000. However, mentions of most narcotic analgesics did not increase from 2000 to 2001.
  • Dependence was the most frequently mentioned motive for narcotic analgesic abuse cases (38,941), followed by suicide (24,576), psychic effects (13,949), unknown motive (11,039), and other motives (1,727).
  • In 2001, the average age was 37 for patients who attended the ED because of narcotic analgesic abuse.

These statistics may frighten many but for some it is a clear indication of the power of narcotics over the mind, body and soul. Getting help for a prescription drug addiction can be difficult for those under the 24 hour influence of such powerful narcotics. If you know someone struggling with this type of an addiction, offer them help. Whether that be a shoulder to cry on or a helping hand towards rehabilitation, it is important to always remember to help others in need.