A Silent Crisis: Prescription Drugs in America

In the shadows of small towns and big cities alike, there has been a monster of sorts slowly but gradually growing, and festering, right under our noses. In fact, many may think they understand the scope of the problem, and I would have never imagined the size of the epidemic. I’m referring to prescription drugs in our country. While most would contend they’re not quite morally as bad as let’s say, cocaine, heroine or crystal meth, it’s taking over as the leader of all abused drugs.

Combined.

No, I didn’t throw nicotine, alcohol, caffeine or even marijuana on that list. There’s a number of reasons this trend excelled beyond the traditionally abused hard drugs, but I’d like to keep the topic on my focus today. If any of you know or have known somebody abusing prescription medications, it’ll be easy to relate. But for those of you out there who haven’t, I’d like to explain in better detail in the event it happens to someone you know. Unfortunately for me, I had to be alerted to this secretive world by way of someone I witnessed abusing prescription drugs.

Some may be wondering what type of prescription drugs I’m referring to. To be frank, I didn’t really know much about prescription drugs or what types are being abused until very recently. Because I was curious, I recruited the help of a good friend of mine, Jennifer. When I explained what was going on with the person I knew was abusing them, she agreed to allow a brief  interview on the subject. She’s a social worker (official title is Case Worker I) that has seen her fair share of drug abuse. Her job revolves around working with folks to get them back to sobriety with a number of tools at her disposal. Jennifer has about 10 years experience in this field, so I was paying close attention.

I kept the questions simple, but often I could tell how dedicated Jennifer was by how she went above and beyond to explain the pain and destruction prescription drug abuse does. First, she identified the primary drugs she is seeing abused.

“There are all sorts of substances, but prescription medications surpassed the traditional crystal meth and cocaine. The most commonly abused prescription drugs are Xanax (pronounced zanax) and Oxycodone,” she says. When asked to describe the typical abuser, the message hit home with familiarity.

“These addicts will give up everything to get another fix. They will sacrifice their job, friends, and even worse, their family. No one is safe when they get between a drug addict and their next high. Many family members try to justify or make excuses for those they love, but all they’re doing is condoning that behavior and in turn play a big part and blame in the destruction of everyone around them, and eventually the demise of the drug addict. Instead of getting them help in the beginning they make excuses and choose denial over common sense.”

When I thought about sharing this with readers, I wondered what the long term effects were for the prescription drug abuser. I also wanted to alert readers to what signs they should be looking for in the event there’s someone they may know or care about exhibiting certain behaviors. When I did my research, it was a spot-on match to what I had seen with my own eyes.

I’ll begin with Xanax (short for Alprazolam). It’s used to treat anxiety disorders and panic disorder (sudden, unexpected attacks of extreme fear and worry about these attacks). Alprazolam is in a class of medications called benzodiazepines. It works by decreasing abnormal excitement in the brain. Alprazolam is also sometimes used to treat depression, fear of open spaces (agoraphobia), and premenstrual syndrome.

Next is Oxycodone. Oxycodone is also available in combination with acetaminophen (Endocet, Percocet, Roxicet, Tylox, others); aspirin (Endodan, Percodan, Roxiprin, others); and ibuprofen (Combunox). Oxycodone is used to relieve moderate to severe pain. Oxycodone is in a class of medications called opiate (narcotic) analgesics. It works by changing the way the brain and nervous system respond to pain.

The side effects of these medications range widely, but here are some to look for: Drowsiness, light-headedness, headache, tiredness, dizziness, irritability, talkativeness, difficulty concentrating, dry mouth, increased salivation, changes in sex drive or ability, nausea, constipation, changes in appetite, weight changes, difficulty urinating or joint pain.

Some side effects can be serious. The following symptoms are uncommon, but if you witness these side effects, call a doctor immediately: shortness of breath, seizures, seeing things or hearing voices that do not exist (hallucinating), severe skin rash, yellowing of the skin or eyes, depression, memory problems, confusion, problems with speech, unusual changes in behavior or mood, thinking about harming or killing self or trying to do so and problems with coordination or balance.

With a list of possible side effects like these, it’s no wonder some prescription drugs are frightening.

Jennifer explained something else sobering. “When they get to a certain point in their usage, the only way to remedy the serious situation is to have them committed or in worse cases, jailed for any crimes they may commit in the commision of obtaining their drug of choice,” she warns. Jennifer also stressed that legislation or other regulations need to be put in place to make it more difficult to obtain prescription drugs for abuse. “Doctors seem to just hand them out like candy and we must be here to clean up the mess,” Jennifer continued. “Also, making it difficult for addicts to duplicate prescriptions from multiple doctors and multiple pharmacies should be a priority.”

Jennifer is correct. It has been realized that there is no network among many of the different pharmacy brands. In Georgia, for instance, CVS Pharmacy doesn’t have a way to confirm with Walgreens whether or not a prescription has been filled elswhere. Some states have enacted networks such as these, but only a few. A push must be made to make it mandatory in every state, and I hope those states take action on their own instead of allowing the problem to be addressed on a federal level.

It’s ultimitely about the individuals’ choices in life too. People need to be held accountable as do the ones who enable it, doing nothing at all.

Grow, with the know.

Source: PubMed Health

Better Written Than Said: My Uncle Jim

A get-together

For the most part, I’ve always had a fearless way about speaking freely in front of others. Even before large crowds. In fact, I’ve become accustomed to it over the many years I’ve done so. However, there are those times when the nerves take over. The worry. The stress.

That relatively sums it up when I went to the podium to speak about my late Uncle Jimmy yesterday afternoon at his memorial. I suddenly tightened, held back the tears, and delivered what was most important to not only myself, but my entire family, as well. The message was a simple one. It was about each other. The occasion turned out large, as many friends came in addition to family in order to pay their respects. It was apparent that Uncle Jim left a mark on many lives.

The last conversation I had with my uncle came out of nowhere when I visited him in the hospital recently, over a month ago. I recall walking in to the room and him perking up, as he was glad I stopped by. I sat down, and we discussed what the doctor’s orders were going to be and other odds and ends. But then it came to me to get his opinion on something that had been eating at me for some time.

Since the passing of our Uncle Billy, myself and my cousins Mary Ann and Lisa proposed a family reunion, with no certain detail except that we needed to get back to family tradition again. Uncle Jim agreed without second thought. He said, “Get together with the girls and do it.”

As children, family gatherings were a weekend to weekend ritual. Brothers, sisters, cousins, sister and brother in-laws, aunts, uncles, parents, grandparents, nieces, nephews, and close friends – gathered week after week.

It’s what strengthened our bond to this day.

Awaiting the next memorial or funeral shouldn’t be an option, as we all are living life at the speed of light. These years are going by, so it makes perfect sense that if people could make Uncle Jim’s Memorial Service a huge event, they could also plan a day out of their year to have one hell of a get-together.

The strength behind the Smith’s

The Smith family have lost some incredible men and women over the years. But the elder women of our family are second to none. Some who come to mind in recent memory are three women who exemplify dedicated, loyal and caring spouses. My Uncle Talbert was adored by my Aunt Sharon. My Uncle Billy was adored by my Aunt Kathy. My Uncle Jimmy was adored by my Aunt Fran. All three remained at their mans side until the last breath.

These women have something very distinct in common, and it’s not just a coincidence that they were part of these brothers’ lives. No, they are special, and they represent who the Smith family is. The strength among these three is incomparable. They’re also responsible for making better men of my beloved, late uncles.

Memories that will never fade

I guess, at the end of the day, it makes perfect sense. No, we don’t enjoy the thought of loss, nor do we wish this brand of sadness on anyone. But it’s a fact of life we must endure accepting. These losses are also lessons. Very valuable ones. So when I think of my Uncle Jim, I have to also attribute him with making me be a man about it. Making me do what I needed to do. Even if it was the hardest thing I have ever done. He was with me that night. I was a Smith that night. The only blood-related male there. I stood stern and caring that night. But now, I cry.

Sorrento, Florida seemed like yesterday. [chuckling] About 40 years ago, that is. Being with my Uncle Jim and so many other awesome people was the highlight of my life in that era. I don’t think we can get anywhere close to that sort of happiness any more.

But, we can try.