HIMPower Magazine HimPower November 2017 | Page 29

from their depression while taking prescrip- . Even if the pills didn't help the ailment
tion opioids. In a society that embraces the
for which they were prescribed this is a
idea of 'more is better ' this can be a slippery common practice in the average American
and very dangerous slope. As prescription
household. Also many of us keep these same
opioids are not
prescription bottles
FDA approved for
(including hydroco-
depression, there is
done or other
As a medicated society, many narcotic pain pills)
no guidance or "rule
of thumb" on how
Americans see nothing at all next to other OTC
much is too much
(over-the-counter)
wrong
or
dangerous
with
when aiming to
bottles of ibuprofen,
holding on to old bottles half aspirin and even a
alleviate depressive
symptoms. These
full of prescribed pills in their daily herbal supple-
individuals are at
ment or multivi-
medicine
or
even
kitchen
grave risk of opioid
tamin. This can
cabinet.
addiction, respira-
psychol ogically give
tory depression and
the impression even
even sudden death.
to most astute that 'these are all equally safe
Prescription opioids are the fastest
for me and can only help me". Taking pills
growing form of drug abuse and unin-
with the expectation of immediate relief
tentional overdose. In fact the estimated
sometimes shuns logic and practicality. Even
number of emergency department visits
though opioids are controlled substances
involving non medicinal use of opiate anal-
with potentially lethal consequences when
gesics increased from 144,000 in 2004 to
misused, at that particular moment, the
305,900 in 2008. Prescription opioid misuse focus is often on feeling better fast with
as defined by the National Institute for
immediate gratification. In the case of
Drug Abuse clearly defines this behavior
taking opioids for depression and pain, one
as "taking a medication in a manner other
may think "Well if one helped some, then 4
than that prescribed or for a different condi- or 5 will do the trick." Again, this is a very
tion than that for which the medication
dangerous misconception with very grave
was prescribed.” 1 As a medicated society,
potential consequences.
many Americans see nothing at all wrong
FDA approved drugs for depression
or dangerous with holding on to old bottles includes classes of medications that increase
half full of prescribed pills in their medi-
the reuptake of the major brain chemicals
cine or even kitchen cabinet ( many of you
(also known as neurotransmitters) sero-
at this point just had a visual of a family
tonin, dopamine and norepinephrine. SSRIs
member or even your own medicine cabinet) (selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitors),
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