Are you aware that there is an addiction that many doctors enable? Yes, it is called RX or Prescription addiction. This is an addiction people develop because their doctors basically tell them it is ok.
We go to the doctor to find help with sickness, pain, injuries, etc. Many people go to the doctor to find help with sleep, anxiety, depression, etc. These seem like things that are justified to find help, right?
For the most part, yes. But here’s an example of what happens:
Joe goes to the doctor and complains about “back pain”. The doctor does a work-up on him, which includes x-rays, range of motion, and other exams. The doctor does not find anything significant that would cause pain and decides that it may be either, muscular or arthritic. He tells Joe that there is not much he can do but gives him a prescription for pain meds and tells Joe that he can take them “as needed”.
This may not seem like a problem but a lot of times the doctor forgets to tell people like Joe that pain is part of life and he may experience pain even if he takes his meds, properly. Many doctors do not suggest exercises to help eleviate pain or even suggest physical therapy. When they do, they still give these “as needed” medications and do not give proper education on the best way to use them. They figure the pharmacist will do that. However, many times the pharmacist does not provide education. So, we find many people, like Joe, who take these meds trying to avoid pain and then starts the downward spiral.
Another example:
Susan goes to her doctor for help with anxiety. The doctor is rushed and has a busy schedule on her plate. She decides to give Susan medication that can eleviate anxiety quickly. She does not spend enough time explaining to Susan on the best way to deal with anxiety could be to refocus on something, find people who can support her, or anything that could help her in times of anxiety.
Many will say that meds like these are ok. For some, they are. However, again, there has to be education about how these meds are to be used. There has to be education on how to reduce symptoms of anxiety so one does not become dependent on a drug, when we have been created to deal with these in more natural ways.
I could go on about how the National Institute of Drug Abuse reported that 2.4 million people used prescription drugs for “non-medical use” in 2010. That means in 2010, 2.4 million people were using prescription drugs as a way to “cope”.
How about the fact because these drugs are prescribed and usually, there is no proper work-up and that people in the church have not talked to someone who has prescriptions, and warned them to be careful? What do I mean about this? I mean that because something is prescribed, people usually assume it is ok. They think they don’t need to talk to someone about this.
Here’s the problem, when we are afraid to talk to someone about anything, we donot have any accountability. There is a need for these conversations to happen.
Just recently I spoke to someone who was given a drug for anxiety. She was instructed to take it as needed. She found herself dependant on this and decided she needed to do something about it. She is currently working on weaning herself off, realizing, that is the best thing to do.
I encourage us all to have conversation about things like this. Let’s help others find the true way to cope with things of life. It is our Savior, Jesus, who loved us so much that He died for us so we could be restored. Remember, there is help and let’s tell others that they are not alone.
Until next time:
Ezekiel 37:1-10 (NKJV):
The hand of the Lord came upon me and brought me out in the Spirit of the Lord, and set me down in the midst of the valley; and it was full of bones. 2 Then He caused me to pass by them all around, and behold, there were very many in the open valley; and indeed they were very dry. 3 And He said to me, “Son of man, can these bones live?”
So I answered, “O Lord God, You know.”
4 Again He said to me, “Prophesy to these bones, and say to them, ‘O dry bones, hear the word of the Lord! 5 Thus says the Lord God to these bones: “Surely I will cause breath to enter into you, and you shall live. 6 I will put sinews on you and bring flesh upon you, cover you with skin and put breath in you; and you shall live. Then you shall know that I am the Lord.”’”
7 So I prophesied as I was commanded; and as I prophesied, there was a noise, and suddenly a rattling; and the bones came together, bone to bone. 8 Indeed, as I looked, the sinews and the flesh came upon them, and the skin covered them over; but there was no breath in them.
9 Also He said to me, “Prophesy to the breath, prophesy, son of man, and say to the breath, ‘Thus says the Lord God: “Come from the four winds, O breath, and breathe on these slain, that they may live.”’” 10 So I prophesied as He commanded me, and breath came into them, and they lived, and stood upon their feet, an exceedingly great army.
