While stars such as Michael Jackson make the headlines, thousands of other ordinary people die unnoticed. Unnoticed except by statistics. In 2007, nearly seven million deaths from prescription drug abuse were recorded in the U.S. (Reuters.com FACTBOX: Growing prescription drug abuse in U.S.).
This is more deaths than from cocaine, heroin, hallucinogens, ecstasy and marijuana combined. The figure is up 80 percent since 2000. Meanwhile, in Britain, prescription drug abuse and addiction has fallen, as doctors are more aware of the potential problems (Reuters.com FACTBOX: Growing prescription drug abuse in U.S.).
America’s Privatised Medical System Means Doctors Are Not on a Budget
In the U.K. most patients use the NHS and the NHS doctors have an annual budget, from the government, and everything they prescribe comes out of this budget. This means that U.K. NHS doctors must be very careful in deciding whether a patient really needs a prescription or not. However in the U.S. the medical system is privatised meaning that there isn’t a government budget as patients have to pay for everything. U.S. doctors are therefore not on such constricted budgets, such as those imposed by the NHS. Ultimately does this mean that medication is being distributed more freely in the U.S. and if so could this be the reason there is a more of a problem with prescription drugs in the U.S. than in the U.K.?
In the U.K. Prescription Drug Abuse and Addiction is in Decline
U.K. doctors say they're more aware of the potential dangers of a patient becoming addicted. Dr. Peter Wheeler, a London based General Practitioner, says that, “Valium and other calming pills are what people get addicted to. People don’t tend to take more and more of the prescribed drug once they become addicted, they just feel they can’t stop taking the drug.”
This doctor goes on to explain, “Unlike heroin, the addiction is not physical and the body doesn’t actually need the drug. Doctors are much more aware of addiction now and the type of person that may become hooked. The NHS are more on top of patients becoming addicted to medicine. The NHS’s budget cannot afford to hand out drugs without really needing to, which helps eliminate potential addiction.”
Another Prescribed Drug That is Problematic is Codeine
Codeine has only recently caught media attention. It is a short acting opiate drug, which belongs to the same family as heroin. Although the effects tend to be milder than heroin, if taken regularly, users can become physically dependent on the drug.
Coming off the drug can cause bad withdrawal symptoms while the body detoxifies because of physical dependence. Withdrawal effects include nausea, vomiting, bone and muscle pain, sweating, fever, headaches and a runny nose. It’s claiming people of all ages; however, the toll among young adults has been particularly severe. Since 2003, 38 percent of all overdose deaths among those aged 24 years and older have been linked to opiates, but with those between aged between 18-23 it's 80 percent (markhoustonrecovery.com Codeine Addiction and Dependency).
The NHS Budget Cannot Afford to Let the Patients Become Addicted to the Drugs
Dr. Jacqueline Masterton, a London based General Practitioner, says that, “Valium and similar drugs are measured carefully and patients are weaned off sleeping pills. Fatalities and addiction do happen, but nowadays everything is much more regulated and doctors are more aware, strict and careful.”
The NHS also offers support for those who become addicted to their medication. NHS Direct recommends that, “Once you recognise that you have a drug problem, you should see your GP. They can give you advice, support and refer you for specialist treatment.”
“There are a number of organisations and websites that also offer information, advice, details of support groups and meetings, and further guidance. The National Drugs Helpline is a free and confidential telephone helpline, offering information about drugs and drug abuse. Open 24 hours a day, seven days a week.”
The NHS Website Offers a lot of Help and Advice on How to Recognise if You’re an Addict and How to Deal with it
There are a lot of other organisations and websites in the U.K., that focus on helping people recover from their prescription drug abuse. "Beat the Benzos" is a charity that has been campaigning for services for benzodiazepine addicts in the U.K. The charity WIRED, based in Wales, aims to also help benzodiazepine addicts and to highlight the addiction problem.
However, in the U.S., where the medical system is privatised, the problem increased. Patients have to pay for everything. Doctors don’t have the stress of a certain budget to help them be strict about writing a prescription. The cost of medical help in America also acts as an obstacle for patients who are addicted to their prescriptions, as they may not have the money to get help.
As the problem grows in the U.S., it is declining in the U.K. The U.S. medical system could so well to look at the NHS’s approach.
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