Prescription drug abuse refers to the misuse of prescribed medication. This is an issue that is becoming more common in our everyday lives. People struggle with stress and or anxiety and their doctors write a prescription for a sedative-hypnotic, tranquilizer or sleeping pill. In most cases the person has a very real condition and begins to take the drug as the directions suggest. What if that same person has a particularly difficult day and the usual dose just doesn’t take away the symptom? The solution seems simple enough, just double the dose. The stress or anxiety disappear, sleep comes easily and the problem is solved. Or is the beginning of a larger problem?

Prescription drug abuse connotes a myriad of negative assumptions in our set of sociocultural norms and expectations. We are expected to stand on our own and be independent. Dependence on anything in our culture is frowned upon and when the word abuse is uttered all kinds of judgments are made about a person’s character. We have seen how easy it is to become dependent on medications as the users tolerances changes. If someone realizes that they are over medicating and decide to quit or cut back they feel the discomfort of withdrawal. Accepting that they have a problem is made more difficult due to the prevailing societal prejudice.

Seniors are susceptible to the above scenario and are often bewildered when they find themselves in a detox for withdrawal of a medication they took under a doctor’s care. There are no easy answers to this problem. Doctors will continue to prescribe those medications that the pharmaceutical companies recommend will alleviate the symptoms described by their patients. We as a society must be willing to set aside our judgmental attitudes and offer patients and respect instead of scorn and shame.