Which of the following way(s) can physicians enable drug abuse? (Select all that apply.)

Question

a. Prescribing psychoactive medications to a new patient who was claiming anxiety and insomnia
b. Prescribing psychoactive medications to make a patient feel better during a time of situational stress
c. Prescribing non-refillable small doses of psychoactive medications in response to short-term problems
d. Refusing to prescribe psychoactive medications even if the patient has severe pain so the patient must seek self-medication with illegal substances or alcohol
e. Suggesting psychoactive medications for pain relief after surgical treatment
f.
With drugs so available, the physician can use drugs for a temporary problem; feeling relief may lead to self-addiction.

Answer 1

ANS: A, B, D, F
Health care professionals also can contribute to the initiation and continuation of substance abuse and dependency in various ways. One obvious way is the physician's role in prescribing psychoactive medications. The medical model advocates the treatment of symptoms by medication. The relief of pain, anxiety, and insomnia is not an exception. The addictive potential of narcotic analgesics and antianxiety agents is often ignored if quick symptom relief is the main goal. Undermedication or refusal to use "addictive" medicines can lead susceptible clients to self-medicate with illegal drugs or alcohol. A new patient requiring medications may raise suspicion, because drug abusers may go to many different physicians seeking prescriptions. It is not appropriate for psychoactive medications to be suggested for pain relief after surgical treatment.