D e s e r t E x p o s u r e
March 2010
Rx for Trouble
Is an over-reliance on prescription drugs turning the Land of Enchantment into the Land of the Medicated?
By Jeff Berg |
Sidebar: Ask the Pharmacist |
"One pill makes you larger
And one pill makes you small
And the ones that mother gives you
Don't do anything at all"
— Jefferson Airplane
Author's note: My personal history of drug use is limited to alcohol, tobacco and a couple of joints many years ago. In all the rampant stupidity that I have subjected myself to over the years, I somehow, to the amazement of the therapist who helped me through many things years ago, stayed away from other drugs of all sorts, legal and illegal. As noted an issue or two ago, I took some painkillers after some dental work, but found that they really didn't do anything, so I suspect that substance was milder than the over-the-counter Aleve that I switched to.
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While in high school, I discovered John Barleycorn and its intoxicating properties. I was so pleased with it that I never really had the urge, or perhaps the need, to feel any numb-er and dumber than booze made me feel. It was during that time that a couple of good friends of mine dropped some acid at a party I was at, got in a car, and got the "ultimate" high, by wrapping themselves and the car around a tree and dying.
In retrospect, that was a huge life lesson, and one that stuck with me when I was offered or tempted by other mind- and mood-altering substances. I have always been curious about peyote, but not curious enough to give it a whirl.
It is my personal belief that in-depth studies should be made in order to allow certain drugs that are now illegal to become legal. If one studies the types of prescribed drugs that are legal and available in one way or another, it is beyond idiotic to say that such things as marijuana should be illegal. In my perfect world, though, none of it would even exist. I cannot find a rational reason or excuse for anyone to use, abuse or be addicted to any substance, whether it is 100-proof Scotch or heroin or Xanax. I am being judgmental, but I feel that the reason most people turn to illegal drugs or drinking is to "ease the pain" of their emotions, whether that pain is real or imagined or both. Believe me, dealing with emotional pain, no matter how severe, on an honest level and through hard work is easier than babysitting a six-pack, a vial of tabs or a needle every day.
My own alcohol abuse continued on and off until about 1985, and even though I never suffered through a hangover, missed a day of work, or dug myself into a financial pit because of my drinking, it took its toll in other ways. It took a drunken incident involving my "best" friend at the time and my "girlfriend," who slurred "I love you" five or more times a night to me, for me to finally relieve myself of the midrange buzz that I lived in almost every night after work for many years. Happy hour was my favorite time of day.
And do note that I am aware that there are a number of good and legal medications out there that help people every day. Before dropping medications or changing dosages, you should of course consult a physician — and, if necessary, find another physician who will listen to your concerns.
A few months ago, I had to do what I call a "grin and bear it" trip to the largest big-box store chain in the known universe. It was for a grocery item that no other local store carries, and one that I cannot get online but like to indulge in from time to time: sugar-free tapioca pudding — certainly something with addictive qualities.
While wandering dazed (by the amount of stuff, not from a chemical!) through the pallets of paper towels, 90-pound packs of dead chicken, and thousands of items that I knew I would never use, I stumbled by the in-store outlet of the largest hamburger emporium in the world, and noticed a number of people standing in line waiting to place an order.
Just moments earlier, I had strolled past the in-store pharmacy, where two lines, at least 10 people each in length, awaited service from a pharmacist.
Smugly, I wondered how many of these same people stood in BOTH lines, not knowing, understanding or wanting to embrace the old adage, "You are what you eat."
But I was mildly taken aback by the number of people in the pharmaceutical line. I'd previously driven by a big-box pharmacy store, which had not one, but two drive-up windows for prescriptions. Both lines had enough vehicles idling in them to ensure that vehicle emissions are indeed part of global warming.
Multiplying those two pharmacy lines by who knows how many others just in Las Cruces, and then thinking about how many pharmacies there are just in the US, was a terrifying thought. How many people in this country are on some form of legal medication?
According to a report from the US government's Department of Health and Human Services published in 2004, nearly 50% of all citizens in this country were taking at least one prescription drug. One-sixth of the population, mostly elderly, was taking three or more "scrips" each day.
The Kaiser Family Foundation reports that in 2007 pharmacists filled 3.8 billion prescriptions. In 2005, 59% of all Americans under 65 had a prescription drug expense, with that figure skyrocketing to 91% for those over 65. The most popular medications include Lipitor and Zocor, both for lowering cholesterol, followed by Prevacid and Prilosec, both used for ulcers and acid reflux (which can be controlled by watching what, how and when you eat).
Of course many of these drugs can be and are beneficial, if used in the proper way. But 3.8 billion is still an awfully high figure.
As an example, I cite this story.
One of my many former mothers-in-law once came to our Montana home for a visit about a year after I had married her daughter. A weeklong visit turned into 30-plus days, and by the time she left, I was ready for some medication myself.
One day, I needed to retrieve something from the closet in the bedroom where we had sequestered her; not receiving a reply when I knocked on the door, I quietly entered the room. She was not there, but next to the bed was a TV tray table, the top of which was covered with the little vials that contain prescription drugs. There had to be at least 15 different forms of medication there, and I am not talking about vitamin bottles or naturopathic tinctures. I was amazed. So amazed that I forgot what I had gone in the room for and fled.
Later, I asked that particular wife about it, and she confirmed that her mom had been taking various things for any number of years. Several medications, I was told, were to help her restless-leg syndrome, a malady said to result from muscular tension, which can often waken sufferers from their nightly slumber. But the odd thing was, she still had the ailment, as I would hear her prowling around the house at night, and when asked about her sleep, she would appoint the restless-leg woe as the problem.
Said daughter also, just prior to our divorce, began taking pills for her own depression and anxiety (not my fault!). They successfully masked those problems while creating other problems, including drowsiness, loss of libido (damn!) and a too-healthy appetite.
Later, both women weaned themselves off some of the capsules of excuses. My former wife turned to herbal remedies and therapy, which helped her much more without the consequences of the "doctor's orders." Her mother also went "cold turkey" with many of her pills, suffering little, if any, after effects.
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