Challenges in Prescription Drug Abuse Prevention (PDAP) Programs

Overview

PDAP programs are organized by the non-profitable organization for which contributions can be made less than 26 U.S.C. 501(c) (3) tax exemption scheme. It can take care of legal and statutory conformances to the state and federal regulations. Patients may get free or low-cost treatments from non-profit organizations.

Doctor-Shopping Tendency

The biggest challenge could be doctor-shopping. It is a condition in which the patients may change the doctors to get multiple prescriptions of the drugs for addictive purposes may increase. The physicians will be unable to monitor and control abuse. Patients may also misuse online pharmacies.

Fear of Withdrawal Symptoms

Patients going through PDAP programs may suffer from physical and psychological withdrawal symptoms. The antagonists used to overcome such symptoms may cause nausea, tremors, restlessness, and other side effects among some patients. Many of them may relapse to overcome such conditions.

Limited Access to Research Funds

Treatment of prescription drug addiction needs extensive research works which in turn need funds. According to specialists like Dr. Larry Schieber, the funds from US Congress are insufficient and private funders aren’t showing much of interest.

Long Treatment Procedures

PDAP programs involve multiple phases of treatment from the stabilization to tapering, treatment, and follow up procedures. The duration could be eight weeks or more, depending on the patient’s condition and intensity of addiction. Many patients may give up and relapse.

Community Resistance to PDAP

Resistance to PDAP could start within the patients’ families, because of their repeated relapses and social stigma. They may not realize the importance of family cooperation to the patient and the physicians who perform the treatments.

Limitations of Outpatient Programs

Outpatients may not follow the procedures of PDAP programs fully. It could lead to uncontrollable conditions in which they may relapse.

Conclusion

In spite of existing challenges and limitations, the Prescription Drug Abuse Prevention Programs are showing results. They can become more effective when the community awareness about the abuse as a medication condition rather than a stigma grows.