Tighter Narcotic Prescription Regulations Hope To Decrease Need For Drug Rehab

Released on: August 05, 2010, 3:52 am
Author: Mountainside Drug Rehab
Industry: Healthcare

NEW YORK- In a move to curtail prescription drug abuse, Washington State is considering legislation that would require physicians to refer chronic narcotic pain medication users to a physician who specializes in pain management.

The need for this legislation stems from the over-prescribing of narcotics and under-monitoring their effectiveness on patients with such ailments as chronic lower back pain or arthritis. Proponents of the legislation have noted that terminally ill or cancer patients would not be affected and physicians would be able to prescribe pain medications as needed for end-of-life comfort measures.

“Prescription drug abuse is growing at an unprecedented rate today,” begins a spokesperson for Mountainside Drug Rehab and Alcohol Treatment Center . “Not only is this creating an increased need for effective drug rehab, but it's creating an epidemic of fatalities from drug overdose. It's evident that there are some individuals who truly are dependent on narcotic pain medications to function in their daily lives; there are those who oppose legislation controlling the prescribing of pain medications because they fear that those in need would be denied those medications. That should not be the case - in fact, referral to a pain management specialist would actually give chronic pain sufferers a better quality of life as the source of their pain can better be addressed and monitored by a specialist. In addition, it's highly likely that a more effective, long-term solution will be provided to those individuals.”

It's estimated that in the past year, narcotic pain killers accounted for 7 percent of the total prescribed drugs, and the number of individuals taking them increased by over a third compared to previous years. Increased use of long-acting opioids such as OxyContin and methadone has contributed greatly to the epidemic of death by prescription overdose, second only to car accidents in nationwide fatalities.

Mountainside's original, unique approach to drug rehab began 12 years ago. Since then, drug treatment officials have recognized the effectiveness of Mountainside's treatment modalities and how they are giving individuals an optimum chance for sustained recovery.

The compassionate, caring treatment team at Mountainside Drug Rehab and Alcohol Treatment Center is comprised of licensed and certified counselors and social workers as well as an on-staff Nurse Practitioner and a Registered Nurse, both of whom have specializations and extensive experience in drug addiction and alcohol treatment. For clients who may have psychiatric issues and/or a dual diagnosis, Mountainside provides the services of a Psychiatrist who also has specialization in addictions.

The program, along with the cohesive addiction treatment team, earned national recognition and resulted in Mountainside being invited to Washington by the White House to meet with the White House Drug Czar, John P. Waters, for an in-depth meeting on what makes its program so successful. These accolades did not go unnoticed within the addiction treatment field and resulted in the adoption by many throughout the country of a more holistic approach to drug addiction treatment.

If you or someone you love is addicted to drugs or alcohol, or if you have any questions, please contact Mountainside Drug Rehab and Alcohol Treatment Center for a confidential inquiry at 800-762-5433.

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