Drug Abuse Can Take Over Your Life... but You Can Reclaim it

The term “unhealthy drug use“ means either the use of illicit drugs or misuse of prescription medications. Similar to alcohol abuse, unhealthy drug use is a very serious cause of death, injury, and mental and physical illness. In June 2020, the USPSTF officially recommended that doctors ask questions to screen patients for unhealthy drug use.¹  After identification of individuals struggling with this issue, it has been shown that behavioral or pharmacologic interventions make a significant improvement.^2-3 The task force's recommendation applies to all individuals 18 and older.

Illicit drugs such as methamphetamine, heroin, cocaine, inhalants, and hallucinogens have no therapeutic benefit, carry a significant risk of harm, and are always considered problematic. Unfortunately, misuse of prescription medications can be just as dangerous. Common prescription medications that are subject to abuse include opiate pain medications, stimulants (usually used for treatment of ADHD), and benzodiazepines (medications for acute anxiety). These pharmaceutical substances can be similarly addictive and habit-forming, as well as destructive. 

Once an individual has fallen into an addictive relationship with these substances, the negative impacts can quickly become tragic. In 2017, there were more than 70,000 fatal overdoses.⁴ Aside from death, there are other potential serious health consequences, including blood-borne infections (resulting from needle use), arrhythmias and other cardiovascular problems, respiratory infections and pulmonary damage (from inhalants), mental illness, and birth defects. Unhealthy drug use is linked to an increase in criminal activity and violence, poor job or educational performance, damage to interpersonal relationships, legal problems and incarceration.⁵

As with screening patients for alcohol abuse, the practice is ineffective unless it is paired with a therapeutic action plan. Psychotherapy and behavioral therapy, addiction counseling, medications, and support systems are all effective countermeasures to deal with unhealthy drug use and addiction.1,3 Therefore, it is critical that more people are encouraged and empowered to take the necessary steps to wrench themselves from the throes of this illness. 

If you are someone who struggles with unhealthy drug use, please take the step. Leave the unfulfilling world of “chasing the high” in the past, and move into a more rich and meaningful life. People suffering from drug addiction can feel helpless, but there is help out there. There have been many thousands of people who have recovered, and you can be another one of these success stories. Don’t wait for “just one more day”. Get the help that you need, and take back control of your life.

And if you know someone who struggles with unhealthy drug use, but are uncomfortable broaching the subject with them, the same advice is true… take the step immediately. There’s no time to waste. 

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