Physicians role in curbing the prescription drug abuse epidemic

Through the critical review of literature an answer for the following question was sought: “What can health care providers do to help reduce the prescription drug abuse epidemic?” Prescription drug abuse is a widespread problem. An estimated 41% of chronic pain patients are addicted to prescription drugs (Manchikanti, Fellows et al. 2005) and an estimated 12% of all Americans report non-medical use of prescription drugs (McCabe, Teter et al. 2002). Illicit use of prescription drugs is currently the most commonly used drug in America (Boyd, McCabe et al. 2003). Six reoccurring suggestions for health care providers were found in the literature as ways health care providers can help to reduce the prescription drug epidemic, these are as follow: learning how to give a good initial patient assessment, identifying drug seeking behaviors, knowing who to refer out, close examination when prescribing prescription drugs, identifying ways of obtaining prescription drugs, and intervening when substance abuse is detected.

References:

Boyd, C. J., S. E. McCabe, et al. (2003). "Medical and nonmedical use of prescription pain medication by youth in a Detroit-area public school district." Drug and Alcohol Dependence.

Manchikanti, L., B. Fellows, et al. (2005). "Prevalence of illicit drug use among individuals with chronic pain in the Commonwealth of Kentucky: an evaluation of patterns and trends." The Journal Of The Kentucky Medical Association 103(2): 55-62.

McCabe, S. E., C. J. Teter, et al. (2002). "Medical Use, Illicit Use and Diversion of Prescription Stimulant Medication."