Drug Rehab Chronicles - The Internet - One More Enemy in the War on Drugs

People suffering from chronic pain sometimes need prescriptions for opiate painkillers. Unfortunately, some of those people are turning to the Internet instead of consulting their personal physician regarding what drugs to take, how much of them and for how long. As a result, some are abusing the drugs, and are becoming addicted. Instead of solving their pain problem, they now have a new one finding a drug rehab program.

Things have definitely changed over the years. In the past, when a prescription ran out you went to your doctor for a refill. When he thought it was appropriate, he took you off the drugs. Nowadays, with so many prescriptions being written for opiate painkillers which are highly addictive when the doc says no, the patient is in trouble. Unfortunately, instead of heading for drug rehab, he goes in search of other sources for the drug.

Many resort to "doctor shopping" going from one doc to another, sometimes faking symptoms - to get the drugs. And now we have the Internet. You dont need a doctor, you just fill out a little online questionnaire and youve got your drugs. There are hundreds of these Internet sites, called rogue pharmacies, and the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) reported that a mere 34 of them dispensed nearly 100 million dosages of hydrocodone drugs last year sufficient to give over 400,000 patients a one-month supply.

The DEA says about 95% of the drugs sold by "rogue pharmacies" are controlled substances. Compare this to the 11% dispensed by legitimate pharmacies and it is clear that prescription drug abuse is a problem. It is also clear that someone is going to have to do something about the number of drug rehab facilities available if were going to handle it.

Joseph Rannazzisi, deputy assistant director of the DEAs Office of Diversion Control, testified before the Senate Judiciary Committee and described how these doctors and pharmacies operate.

The websites find doctors who are retired or whose debt exceeds their ability to pay. If the doctor is seeking extra income, he can sometimes be persuaded to write prescriptions after looking over customers online questionnaires. The doctor is then paid for each prescription he writes. Then, the site approaches smaller pharmacies and persuades them to fill and ship the prescription to the customer. For a pharmacy that is struggling financially, the additional fee received on top of the cost of the medication can be enough to help make ends meet. These pharmacies keep the drug addiction alive, and the addict out of drug rehab.

Typically, legitimate pharmacies require a doctor-patient relationship in order to fill the prescription. Although Congress is looking at implementing legislation that would clarify laws regarding Internet pharmacy sales, rogue pharmacies are currently able to operate within the law.

Experts claim these sites are highly dangerous because they can, and do, fuel and maintain drug addiction problems. They are also concerned with violation of safety standards when drugs come from out of the country, but that may or may not be as big a problem as the potential for abuse.

Though it is unclear if the DEA will be able to control rogue pharmacies, one thing is certainly clear - as long as Internet pharmacies continue to dispense addictive opiate painkillers, there will be people looking for a successful drug rehab program.

Karen Morris is a freelance writer that contributes articles on health
Contact: info@drugrehabreferral.com
http://www.drugrehabreferral.com

A Short Drug Rehab Can’t Overcome Long-Term Problems
Is it unbelievable that Amy Winehouse could possibly be back on drugs? No - for anyone who understands drug addiction it will come as no surprise. Amy...

Drug Rehab Chronicles
Seven years of recovery is a tough road to travel. Kim loves the life she lives now, but this sentiment certainly didn't always ring true. "I had it a...

Will Drug Rehab Demand Be Reduced By New Software?
A new computer program designed to reduce prescription drug errors has been giving the thumbs up by doctors in Michigan, and not a moment too soon. Th...

Need For Drug Rehab Spurred By Internet Pharmacies
In some states, Florida, for example, you can't buy over-the-counter cough medicine without showing ID and being logged into the system, but you can b...

Entering Rehab the Right Way
If you want to join a rehab program, you need to have a lot of strength. You have to have the will to be able to say no to whatever has brought your a...

Center Christian Drug Rehab: An Untold Side of Faith
For those people in search for a drug rehab program that really works no matter the time required, center Christian drug rehab facilities are the way ...

Drug Rehab? Why Can’t I Just Do Drug Detox And Go Home?
We frequently hear the question when someone addicted to alcohol or drugs is faced with a lengthy drug rehab program: Why can't I just do drug detox? ...

Home Drug Rehab Programs
Traditional and drug free rehab centers focus on drug recovery through in-patient and out-patient programs. This means that the drug addict will leav...

Objective Of Drug Rehab, Alcohol Rehab and Dual Diagnosis Programs
The main objective of drug rehab programs is to free you from the bondage of drug abuse and alcoholism. These programs help you to discover newer ways...

How to Choose a Drug Rehab or Alcohol Rehab Program
Drug addiction is defined as "the compulsive use of psychoactive drugs, to the point where the user has no effective choice but to continue use." Drug...

Are Drug Detox and Rehab Requirements Being Driven By Drug Reps?
Have you ever been to a doctor and been given free samples of drugs? You might feel grateful: there's something you don't have to pay for. But those f...

Can Drug Rehab Efforts Let Up in Florida?
Did you know that nearly 10% of Florida's sixth graders binge drink? Did you know that percentage increases to 30% by the time the kids are in high sc...

LGBT Population Deserves Effective New York Drug Rehab
Yes, there is a large LGBT population in New York and yes, there is quite a variety of gay healthcare services available in New York and neighboring N...

Drug Rehab Gets Kids Off Drugs, But How do You Prevent Them from Starting?
Have you ever wondered why the U.S. and many other countries, right down to their cities and small towns, have developed drug cultures so severe that ...

Choosing a Drug Rehab Program in Maryland
Drug Rehab Programs in MarylandThere are hundreds upon hundreds of drug rehab programs in Maryland that claim they provide the most effective addictio...