Download `These drugs are so compelling and so addictive

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Coastal Point
February 11, 2011
‘These drugs are
so compelling
and so addictive,
they become
empowering.
I haven’t come
across anybody
who set out to
become an addict...’
~ Rev. Kim Tephabock, pastor, Dagsboro Church of God
By Darin J. McCann
Point Editor
scription drug abuse. “We’re seeing all
types of people involved with these
drugs.”
Old and young. Rich and poor. Addiction to prescription medication can
strike anybody, at any time. So, how does
it start?
The increase in prescription drug
abuse has impacted families, businesses,
health and crime. One could call it a national problem, and that person would be
correct. But, at its heart, prescription pill
abuse is an individual problem. It is not
about numbers or trends or polls — it is
about one person.
“When science began to study addicMaybe that person is you. Or maybe
tive behavior in the 1930s, people adthat person is your child. Or your spouse.
dicted to drugs were thought to be
Or your friend. Regardless, it is about
morally flawed and lacking in willpower,”
one person who has fallen into a terrifyexplained Dr. Nora D. Volkow, the direcing and dangerous situation, and the
tor of the National Institute on Drug
web-like effect it has on those around
Abuse. “Those views shaped society’s rethat individual.
sponses to drug abuse, treating it as a
Each person is
moral failing
different. And each
rather than a
case is different.
Physical warning
health problem,
A Substance
signs of drug abuse:
which led to an
Abuse and Mental
emphasis on puni• Bloodshot eyes or pupils that are
Health Services
larger or smaller than usual.
tive, rather than
Administration
• Changes in appetite or sleep
preventative and
(SAMHSA) study
patterns. Sudden weight loss or gain.
therapeutic, acreports that the
• Deterioration of physical appearance
tions…
number of teens
and personal grooming habits.
“As a result of
and young adults
• Unusual smells on breath, body,
scientific research,
(ages 12-25) who
or clothing.
we know that adwere new abusers of
• Tremors, slurred speech, or
diction is a disease
prescription drugs
impaired coordination.
that affects both
grew from 400,000
brain and behavior.
in the mid-1980s to
We have identified many of the biologi2 million in 2000. That number more
cal and environmental factors and are bethan doubled again between 2004 and
ginning to search for the genetic
2008, according to SAMHSA.
variations that contribute to the developSo is this a young person’s problem?
ment and progression of the disease.”
Sure. No question. It is running rampant
That explains the addiction itself. But
through young America. But it’s not rehow about that first-time usage – particserved only for young people. The
ularly in regards to prescription medicaSAMHSA report also stated that aption, as opposed to street drugs?
proximately 2 million adults ages 50 and
“A lot of abusers started out by being
older used prescription pills non-medlegitimately hurt and required a prescripically in the past year.
tion,” said Selbyville Police Chief W.
“I just don’t think demographics have
Scott Collins. “They needed the pills just
a lot to do with it,” said Ocean View Poto manage the pain. But then they get
lice Chief Ken McLaughlin, who said he
addicted. They can not get off the pills.
has seen a spike across the board in his
You see people who you wouldn’t expect
town regarding crimes involving pre-
Causes
Coastal Point
1February 11, 2011
B13
to have drug problems become addicted
Mayo Clinic added to its information
addiction cases, but said that many “teens dividual: The loved-one with the addicand have very real drug problems. At that are abusing prescription drugs because
tion.
some other general patterns of behavior
point, they do whatever they can to get
Tephabock explained that many of the that might give a warning to those
they believe the myth that these drugs
hold of the pills.”
people he counsels who suffer from prewatching.
provide a medically safe high.”
Frankford Police Chief William DudThey include stealing, forging or sellOf course, it’s not a safe high — med- scription medicine abuse are private peoley concurred.
ple.
ing prescriptions; taking higher doses
ically, or by any other definition.
“These drugs have a lot of real uses,”
“They don’t just walk around like the
than prescribed; excessive mood swings;
“This is basically pharmacy-grade
said Dudley. “Some people need these
‘junkies’ you see on television or street
odd sleep patterns; poor decision-makheroin,” said Dudley. “And they crush it
pills just to get
corners,” he said. “These people are often ing; generally appearing to be high; “losup and inject it
through the day. But
proud, private. They’re ashamed they
ing prescriptions” and going to more than
or snort it, and it
Behavioral warning
they must be used
have a problem and often don’t even real- one doctor to receive prescriptions (also
no longer has
signs of drug abuse:
correctly. People must
ize they have a problem until it spins out
called “doctor shopping”).
that time-release
follow the instrucof control. And since they’re ashamed,
Many of the experts we spoke with for
mechanism the
• Drop in attendance and performance
tions and get off the
they
try
hard
to
keep
it
private.”
this
story suggested that suspicion of
way
it
was
deat work or school.
pills when they feel
So,
how
can
you
tell
if
your
loved-one
drug
abuse alone will not help stop the
signed.
That
• Unexplained need for money or
better. But, oftenmight
have
a
problem?
problem.
It must be confronted directly,
makes
it
much
financial problems. May borrow or
times, they become
The esteemed Mayo Clinic put out an but with sensitivity.
more dangerous.”
steal to get it.
addicted, and they
“It can be difficult to approach your
The study also informational piece on the signs and
• Engaging in secretive or suspicious
behaviors.
feel there’s a stigmasymptoms to look for in regards to preteen, family member or friend about presuggested that,
tism to having a drug
scription drug abuse,” according to the
for the first time, scription drug abuse. They broke it into
• Sudden change in friends, favorite
hangouts, and hobbies.
problem. At that
the three main categories of abused preMayo Clinic piece. “Denial and anger are
there are just as
• Frequently getting into trouble
point, it’s hard for
scription medications: opioids (such as
common reactions, and you may be conmany new
(fights, accidents, illegal activities).
them to come out
oxycontin), sedatives and tranquilizers
cerned about creating conflict or damagabusers (12 and
and ask for help, and
(such as Valium)
ing your relationship
older) of prethe problem gets
with that person. Be
scription drugs as and stimulants
worse.”
(such as Ritalin).
understanding and
there are of marijuana.
Psychological warning
When a patient goes from responsible
Those abuspatient. Let the perOf course, there are also those who
signs of drug abuse:
user of painkillers to a full-blown addicson know you care
get started in prescription drug abuse be- ing opioids
• Unexplained change in personality
tion, there isn’t necessarily some physiomight be exabout his or her wellcause they were also addicted to some
or attitude.
logical element that flips on, according to other drug already and just moved their
hibiting constibeing. Encourage your
• Sudden mood swings, irritability,
Dr. Gabriel Somori of Coastal Pain Care usage to something more accessible.
pation,
loved-one to be honor angry outbursts.
Physicians in Lewes.
depression, low
est about his or her
“These drugs are everywhere,” said
• Periods of unusual hyperactivity,
“There isn’t just some switch,” said
blood pressure,
drug abuse and to acTephabock. “Friends, medicine cabinets,
agitation, or giddiness.
Somori. “A lot of times people experience street dealers, you name it. They’re every- decreased respicept help if needed.”
• Lack of motivation; appears
a little bit of euphoria when the pill first
ration rate and
“Get them help,”
where.”
lethargic or ‘spaced out.’
takes effect. When people begin having
general confuadvised
Tephabock.
• Appears fearful, anxious, or
problems is when they try to recreate that
sion.
“Just
find
them help
paranoid, with no reason.
euphoria by taking the pills at various
Sedatives
and make them get it.
times with that sole intent — not to
users might
People can make huge
Initiation into prescription drug abuse
manage their pain. They become recreshow drowsiness, confusion, an unsteady
changes in their lives if they can just get a
can come from many different angles,
ational users at that point, and it evolves
gait, poor judgment and involuntary and
little direction and help. Get them help.”
and still result in the same ending — a
into addiction.”
rapid movement of the eyes.
In next week’s Coastal Point, we will
dangerous addiction that can lead to
The Rev. Kim Tephabock, pastor at
Those addicted to stimulants might
take a close look at options locally and
families being torn apart, failing health
the Dagsboro Church of God and direcshow signs of weight loss, agitation, irristatewide for receiving help with
and death. The numbers of people who
tability, insomnia, high blood pressure
tor of local group Unite Sussex, said he
prescription drug abuse.
have developed problems with prescripand an irregular heartbeat.
has counseled many people who have betion drug abuse is staggering, but for
Many of those signs appear to be hard
come addicted to prescription medica~ Information boxes courtesy of
many of us it comes down to that one into notice with the naked eye, so the
tion. He cited farmers and construction
helpguide.org
workers as people who often find themselves getting legitimate prescriptions to
treat injuries, and then become addicted
Common signs and symptoms of drug abuse:
to the medicine.
• You’re neglecting your responsibilities at school, work or home (e.g. flunking classes, skipping work, neglecting
“These drugs are so compelling and so
your children) because of your drug use.
addictive, they become empowering,” said
• You’re using drugs under dangerous conditions or taking risks while high, such as driving while on drugs, using
Tephabock. “I haven’t come across anydirty needles, or having unprotected sex.
body who set out to become an addict,
• Your drug use is getting you into legal trouble, such as arrests for disorderly conduct, driving under the
but when you combine the pressures peoinfluence, or stealing to support a drug habit.
ple find with the economic pressure
• Your drug use is causing problems in your relationships, such as fights with your partner or family members,
cooker and genuine ‘tough times’ out
an unhappy boss, or the loss of old friends.
there, people become more vulnerable.
“These drugs may be wonderful in
Common signs and symptoms of drug addiction:
terms of alleviating your pain and mak• You’ve built up a drug tolerance. You need to use more of the drug to experience the same effects you used
ing you feel better, but they don’t take
to with smaller amounts.
away your outside problems. Those are
• You take drugs to avoid or relieve withdrawal symptoms. If you go too long without drugs, you experience
still there, and sometimes proud people
symptoms such as nausea, restlessness, insomnia, depression, sweating, shaking and anxiety.
turn to alternative ways to escape those
• You’ve lost control over your drug use. You often do drugs or use more than you planned, even though you
problems temporarily. It’s frightening.”
told yourself you wouldn’t. You may want to stop using, but you feel powerless.
The Office of National Drug Control
• Your life revolves around drug use. You spend a lot of time using and thinking about drugs, figuring out how
Policy released a study on “Teens and
to get them, and recovering from the drug’s effects.
Prescription Drugs” for the president of
• You’ve abandoned activities you used to enjoy, such as hobbies, sports, and socializing, because of your drug use.
the United States in February 2007.
• You continue to use drugs, despite knowing it’s hurting you. It’s causing major problems in your life –
Their report stated that legitimate preblackouts, infections, mood swings, depression, paranoia– but you use anyway.
scriptions are a significant cause in drug-
Signs of drug abuse