Narconon looks at the Underlying Causes of the Prescription Drug Epidemic and What Can Be Done About it
The ever-increasing prescription drug problem in America and across the globe is now gaining media attention. The American Federal Government recently launched a substance abuse prevention plan to evaluate ways to decrease the number of prescription drug deaths and addictions. Narconon has been reporting on the growing prescription drug problem for years, and has looked closely into the possible causes and solutions.
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Causes
Stress and anxiety: These are actually growing health concerns on their own. Many people suffer from anxiety and stress daily. At times, it can be overwhelming. The solution for many is to take prescription medications, but there are other effective ways of dealing with stress. Bio-feedback has been proven effective against anxiety, and is completely drug-free. Herbs, such as Kava and Valerian Root work well for many people to relieve stress. Certain combinations of vitamins have also proven to work against stress and anxiety. At Narconon, a vitamin regimen is part of their drug-free rehabilitation program. Meditation is another good option.
- Experimentation: Young people especially begin taking prescription drugs that they find in their parent’s drug cabinets. They also attend pharm parties, where a group of young people get together and dump a random sampling of various drugs into a bowl, then consume some of them. This often leads to substance abuse, if not death. Education is the key to curbing such dangerous experimentation and lowering the incidence of substance abuse. Schools, parents, and churches all need to be teaching instead of simply preaching about drugs. They need to know and not just “hear” that drugs can be deadly. Narconon offers a variety of educational material on drug information.
Misinformation: Drug companies have been misleading the public for years. Only recently has the American government begun to act upon it. People get the impression, through advertisements from the pharmaceutical companies, that prescription drugs are safe. As good as it is that governments speak out against the misleading information, but parents need to do the same. The public needs to take some responsibility as well. It has long been known that one can’t believe everything they see or hear, and so it is with television and magazine advertisements. People also sometimes believe without questioning, that if a drug has been prescribed by a doctor, it must be safe.
- “Do as I say, not as I do”: Society, in general, has come to depend a lot on drugs, prescription drugs and OTC. It seems there is a pill for everything, so many kids see family members and friends take a variety of pills for a variety of ailments, real or imagined. Naturally, they begin to think that pills are the answer for everything, and also that drugs are harmless. Not only in America, but many places across the globe, people need to rethink their habits. Kids see and imitate what adults do, including relying on pills and medications for every problem and ailment. Parents can preach to kids not to take drugs, but what if they are showing them something different?
Self Medicating: Once people have a prescription from a doctor, some begin to accept it as carte blanche, and begin to self medicate and over medicate. Many overdoses are caused by people taking too much of a prescription drug, whether by choice or accident. If the prescriptions says to take one tablet every six hours, but the patient takes one every hour, that is self (and over) medication. Doctors and Pharmacists need to be more diligent on warning patients of the dangers of prescription drugs… especially if there are several drugs involved. The little labels on the bottles just don’t seem to be doing the trick.
- Over Prescribing by Doctors: Many want to avoid this, the leading cause of the prescription drug epidemic. The plain truth is that prescription narcotics, sedatives and stimulants are far too easy to get. For some, getting high never has to involve buying drugs on the street, because they can get all they want from doctors. Some licensed doctors are actually known by addicts as a method of getting opioids and other harmful drugs. Doctor shopping is also too easy, and too common. If one doctor won’t provide the drug, the individual simply goes from one to the other until they find a source for the drugs they want. In some cases, people will go to one doctor for pain medication, and another doctor for sedatives. These are well known scenarios explained by the people who have actually done it.
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To End the Drug Epidemic Requires Drastic Changes
Ending the prescription drug epidemic will not be quick and easy. There will need to be some drastic measures taken in order to succeed. Prescription drugs are far too easy to get, and there are too many reasons why people want them, whether legitimate or not. There are alternatives to prescription drugs. Herbal medicine, acupressure, acupuncture and other methods of treatment have been known and successful for centuries. Most prescription drugs are chemical mixtures created by drug manufacturers. We put these chemicals into our bodies too easily without considering the consequences. Alternatives to prescription drugs need to be considered, and soon.
Since 1966, Narconon offers an effective drug-free alternative to drug addiction. Either to treat a prescription opiate addiction, for the recovery from any substance abuse or for methamphetamine addiction treatment, Narconon has successfully helped thousands of people around the world to beat their addiction. For more information about what you need to do to be able to participate in the Narconon drug rehab program, please call 1-877-782-7409 .
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How May Someone Become Addicted to a Prescribed Drug?
