The practice of misprescribing medications is a major issue that may have severe and even fatal repercussions. The possibility of addiction is one of the most important dangers associated with improper medication.
When a patient is provided medicine that they do not need or in a dosage that is too high, it may lead to a hazardous cycle of dependence that can be difficult to break free from. This article will discuss how improper prescriptions may lead to addiction, as well as the measures that can be done to avoid this outcome.
Prescription Errors and the Risk of Addiction
The Problem of Incorrect Prescribing
Misprescribing may take on many different shapes. It may entail prescribing medicine to a patient that is not suitable for the patient’s condition, prescribing medication in an amount that is too high, or prescribing medication for a period that is too lengthy. It is also possible for a doctor to overlook important aspects of a patient’s medical history, such as any pre-existing diseases or drugs the individual is currently on.
It may be difficult to identify inappropriate prescriptions, which is one of the most significant difficulties associated with the practice. Patients could be unaware that they are taking the medicine they do not need, or they might be unaware of the hazards linked with specific drugs. In addition, medical professionals may not always be able to notice whether a patient has been prescribed the incorrect medication, especially if they are not acquainted with the patient’s medical history.
The Risks of Addiction
The possibility of addiction is one of the most serious hazards connected with improper prescription of medications. This may occur if a patient is given a prescription for a drug they do not need or if they are given a prescription for a medication in an excessive amount. Patients run the risk of becoming reliant on the medicine throughout treatment. They also run the risk of developing a tolerance to the drug, which means that they will need increasingly large doses of it to obtain the same results.
Breaking out from the cycle of addiction may be challenging. Patients who have been dependent on the medicine may go through withdrawal when they decide to stop taking the prescription, which is a process that may be very unpleasant and even painful. Sometimes, patients may resort to risky behaviours or use illicit substances to get the medicine they need.
Preventing Incorrect Prescribing and Addiction
A multi-pronged strategy is required to combat both improper prescription and addiction successfully. When evaluating a patient’s medical history, medical professionals have a responsibility to be thorough and consider any pre-existing disorders and any drugs the patient is currently taking. They should also be aware of the hazards of certain drugs and take the necessary precautions to ensure that patients know these risks.
Patients themselves can play a part in the fight against addiction and improper medication. Patients must present their healthcare providers with accurate information on their medical history and any drugs they take at their appointment. Patients should also be informed of the hazards connected with various drugs and express their concerns or questions about their treatment to their healthcare provider at the earliest opportunity.
Additionally, technology has the potential to play a part in the fight against addiction and improper prescription. Electronic health records, or EHRs, can give medical professionals a more accurate picture of a patient’s medical history. This includes information on any pre-existing diseases the patient may have and any prescriptions they are currently taking. This may assist healthcare practitioners in making judgments about pharmaceutical prescriptions that are better informed.
In addition, prescription drug monitoring programs, also known as PDMPs, may be used to assist in identifying individuals at risk for developing an addiction. These technologies enable medical professionals to follow the patient’s prescription history and recognize any abusive or excessive drug usage tendencies that may be present.
Conclusion
The issue of improper prescription is severe and often has negative repercussions. The possibility of addiction is one of the most significant dangers of incorrect prescription medications. Patients who are given medicine that they do not need or who are given medication in an amount that is too high run the risk of becoming reliant on the drug and developing a tolerance to it. This might put an individual at risk of falling into a harmful cycle of reliance that can be hard to overcome.
A multi-pronged strategy, including patients, healthcare professionals, and technology, is required to combat inappropriate prescription and addiction issues. When evaluating a patient’s medical history, healthcare professionals need to be careful, and patients need to be honest about their medical backgrounds.
Also, read: 7 Ways You Can Ask for Help If You Struggle with Addiction
