LITTLE ROCK — (NewsUSA) - There is a medical problem in the United States that affects more people than diabetes, heart disease and cancer combined - pain. Pain can cause low self-esteem, depression and anger, and it can interfere with daily activities.

For the millions of Americans who live with pain that is moderate to severe in intensity, prescription opioid pain medicines may be an important treatment option. However, when these medicines get into the hands of those without a prescription, they can be as dangerous as street drugs.

In 2006, 5.2 million Americans age 12 or older used prescription pain medicines for a nonmedical use.

People who abuse prescription pain medicines can often get them very easily, but it's not necessarily from an illegal drug dealer, as many might think. In fact, 71 percent of people who abuse prescription pain medicines say they got them from friends or family members.

"How do good medicines become bad drugs? Opioids are often a valuable part of the pain management plan, but there is always a risk that patients and even their family members or friends will abuse them," says Jeff Gudin, M.D., a pain specialist from Englewood, N.J. "This is why it is important to safeguard your medicines and take them only as they have been prescribed."

With greater understanding of how to use these medicines safely and appropriately, patients can help protect themselves, their families and their communities from inappropriate use of prescription opioid pain medicines.

Patients can help manage the

risks of abuse and diversion by

keeping track of how much medi

cine is left, properly disposing of

medicines, and talking to teens and

young adults in their families about

the risks of abusing prescription

medicines. And importantly, pa

tients should never share prescrip

tion opioid pain medicines with oth

ers. Patients should also talk to their

doctors to make sure they under

stand how and when to take their

medicines.

"We are the key," says Jennifer

Bolen, a patient with chronic pain

and founder of the Legal Side of

Pain. "Responsible prescription

medicine use starts with us, the pa

tients. By exercising responsible be

havior, we can ensure we - as well

as our family, friends and future pa

tients - have access to these im

portant medicines." Visit www.goodmedicinesbad

drugs.com, a Cephalon-sponsored

Web site, for further details.

News, Pages 20 on 09/09/2009

Comments

To report abuse or misuse of this area please hit the "Suggest Removal" link in the comment to alert our online managers.

Use the comment form below to begin a discussion about this content.