Estimated read time: 3-4 minutes
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
SALT LAKE CITY — Historically, Utah has been among the top states in the nation for prescription drug overdose deaths. There are many reasons for this — one being easy accessibility to medications — but the overall answer as to why is somewhat elusive.
It has been my experience that most accidental prescription drug overdoses happen when patients think they should not feel any pain, or when they're looking for an easy way to solve their problems. The truth is you will have pain and you will have problems, but medication is not always the answer.
The myth of no pain
If you have any injury, mental or physical, there will be pain. To think that pain medication prescribed following surgery will put an end to any discomfort you’re feeling is foolish.
When patients go home, they often take too many pain pills because they do not want to hurt; or family members insist on the patient using more medication than has been prescribed. The truth is, if your pain is low enough that you can walk and do minor activities, you have had enough medication.
This rule of thumb holds true for patients in the hospital as well. One of the survey questions hospitals often ask their patients is: Was your pain controlled during your hospital stay? This actually means: When you had pain, did the pain medication you received relieve some of your pain (not necessarily all of it)?
Prescription pain medications are highly addictive, and misuse only leads to more problems. If your pain is at a point where nothing is helping, contact your physician.
Easy access for teens
If you’ve been prescribed any medications for pain, sleep or anxiety, please lock them up in your home or get rid of them if they are no longer needed.
These drugs are highly sought after by teenagers who are looking for a way to escape their problems. According to NIDA for Teens, they do so specifically “to get high, to treat pain, or because they think it will help them with their school work.”
KidsHealth.org says the most commonly abused prescription drugs include:
- Opioids — drugs like OxyContin, Vicodin and Demerol, which are used to treat pain or relieve coughs or diarrhea.
- Central Nervous System(CNS) depressants — drugs like Nembutal, Valium and Xanax, which are used to treat anxiety, panic attacks and sleep disorders.
- Stimulants — drugs like Ritalin and Adderall, which are used to treat narcolepsy and ADHD.
The best way to protect your family is to keep your prescriptions stored safely. This includes keeping them out of the reach of small children and knowing how many pills you have in each bottle at all times. You should also dispose of any medications you are no longer using (for more information on how to do so, visit useonlyasdirected.org).
In the end, the best way to fight prescription drug abuse and overdose is to educate ourselves and teach our children to work through pain and hard times. Medication is not always the answer.
Contributing: Jordan Ormond
Suzanne Carlile, "Nurse Suzy," has been a nurse since 1982. Her main focus is critical care and nursing education. She holds a master's degree in nursing, is a Certified Emergency Nurse, and a member of NNSDO Intermountain West Chapter.
