Drug abuse doctors take part in internet discussion

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by Change | 15 Dec 2009

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An hour-long discussion featuring drug abuse doctors has explored the issues surrounding addiction to prescription drugs.

The issue of drug addiction treatment was raised during an online video chat earlier this week.

Organised by CentralOhio.com, the internet-based question and answer session formed part of the website's special report, Prescription to Addiction: Painkillers Fuel Ohio's New Drug Epidemic, the Lancaster Eagle Gazette reports.

In the studio answering questions was Orman Hall, of the Fairfield County Alcohol, Drug and Mental Health board and Dr Richard Whitney, director of Shepherd Hill's addiction services in Newark.

Mr Hall explained that addiction recovery can often be hindered by addicts' perception that their character is flawed.

"These are not bad, stupid, dumb, weak-willed, immoral individuals," the website reported the drug abuse program specialist as saying.

"These are sick people."

The talk lasted for one hour and explored issues such as how to get affected friends and family members into a drug addiction facility.

Experts also attempted to address the stigma attached to prescription drug addicts, with many people believing that such medications are harmless and that those who become addicted are somehow weak.

In reality, Dr Whitney explained, drug addicts have an unusually exaggerated pleasure response to particular drugs, which impacts on their decision-making abilities.

It is believed that up to one fifth of people in the US have used prescription drugs for leisure purposes, with experts in agreement that it is a growing problem.

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