Prescription Drug Abuse Match Illegals in Emergency Visits
Prescription drug and over-the counter medication abuse sent as many people to the emergency room in 2008 as illegal drug use did.
A recent report released by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), Emergency Department Visits Involving Nonmedical Use of Selected Prescription Drugs — United States, 2004–2008, reported the startling results.
Background on Report
The report was a collaborative analysis of scientists from CDC’s Injury Center and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), They used data from SAMHSA’s Drug Abuse Warning Network (DAWN). DAWN monitors drug-related visits to the emergency room and drug-related deaths reported by medical examiners and coroners.
A report on the rapid increase (between 1999-2006) in the rates of overdose deaths from prescription drugs did not analyze morbidity associated with the overdoses. Morbidity refers to disease or illness. The CDC and SAMHSA reviewed data from 2004 to 2008 for emergency room visits associated with the nonmedical use of prescription drugs and related morbidity rates.
Notable Findings
The following are some of the findings from the report:
- 111 percent increase in emergency room visits for nonmedical use of opioid analgesics
- Drugs used for chronic pain
- Common drugs include Vicodin and OxyContin
- 89 percent increase in emergency room visits for nonmedical use of benzodiazepines
- Known as tranquilizers
- Common drugs include Valium and Xanax
- Approximately one in four were admitted as a result of the emergency room visit
- In 2008, both types of drugs peaked in the 21-24 years age group and declined after age 54
The report notes the increase in the number of emergency room visits reflects the substantial increase in the prescribing of these drugs. The report also suggests that provider and patient education has been inadequate for the use of the drugs.
The authors of the report state there is an urgent need for intervention in areas such as provider education, universal state prescription drug monitoring programs, and routine monitoring of insurance claims for signs of abuse.
Stock photo | File #: 3348667
