The Definition of a Drug - Narconon Explains
In today's face–paced world, drugs have become commonplace. Drugs are taken for every ailment at every age group and even given before one is born. There is hardly a condition today that has not been assigned a drug as the cure. Could it be that modern medicine has developed into such a miraculous state that there is no condition man faces that is not solved by a simple medicine or pill?
According to the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy, over 23 million Americans are in need of drug rehabilitation services. This is a tremendous impact on our families, culture and economy. 52 million Americans age 12 and older reported a non–medical use of a drug at some point in their lives. That figure represents over 20% of the population.
It is true that there are many miracles in modern medicine. Without insulin and other life–saving drugs we would certainly be at a disadvantage. However, most of the drugs commonly in use in society are not of the lifesaving type. Most drugs abused are painkillers if not illicit drugs. However, any drug no matter the kind can be abused.
The argument has been proposed that Americans are overmedicated. However, there is a more fundamental matter to consider. Medication is usually only dispensed with the agreement, no matter how faint, of the patient. Most drug use or abuse is self–medicated. Thus the patient has far more importance in the matter of drug use than normally considered. One can always blame the mechanic for work performed; however one does need to agree to the work to be done before it is done.
The Effect of Drug Advertising
Prior to 1997, drug advertisers were limited by criteria the FDA had set regarding drug advertisements. Drug advertisers were required to list out the full adverse reactions to the drugs with all advertisements. This was impossible in a 30 second or minute TV ad. With the rules relaxed by the FDA and with no Congressional action to investigate the need for this dramatic change, prescription drug makers could now advertise directly to the consumer and are not now required to list all the side effects but only a partial list and that more information is available.
Although drug company profits soared after the rules were relaxed, it is also true as the White House study released in July, 2010 documented that there was a 400 percent increase in substance abuse treatment admissions for prescription pain relievers between 1998 and 2008. Also from 1994 to 2003, the number of prescriptions for controlled substances rose from 22 million to 354 million annually.
The only thing we can be certain of with this information is prescription drug advertising does work. There was no other national change in prescription drug policies.
Many doctors are themselves frustrated with the number of patients not "asking their doctor" but instead requesting the latest advertised drug. This moves doctors out of the role of "healers" and into the role of "drug provider".
The Definition of a Drug
If patients truly knew the actual definition of a drug, any drug, they would give pause to taking one. This pause may give them that bit of extra time necessary to evaluate the need for the substance. Furthermore, if parents knew and understood that all drugs fit the following definition, the mass medication of children on behavioral "adjusting" pharmaceuticals in America might also decline.
If drugs were of the tremendous benefit proclaimed in ads then why also do the same ads, albeit required, state some rather horrific adverse reactions reported? One could propose the ideal drug would be one that handled the desired condition while not having any side effects. Unfortunately, no such drug exists nor is it likely any such drug will ever be developed. Such is intrinsic to the definition of a drug.
The following definition applies to all drugs.
All drugs are poisons. The amount taken determines the effect. A small amount speeds you up, a larger amount slows you down and too much of the drug will kill you.
By way of example, we've all seen someone after a drink or two of alcohol becoming the "life" of the party, being very talkative and active, dancing and having a "good time". This is because that amount of the poison alcohol is acting as a stimulant. Now later in the evening the same guy goes on to have a few more drinks. He loses motor control, is groggy and stumbling about, he may even pass out. The same drug, alcohol, is acting as a depressant or sedative. Now if at this point he were to continue to drink alcohol he would experience alcohol toxicity and would be dead. This last usually happens in heavy binge drinking where the amount of alcohol consumed is so great that the toxic level is reached rapidly and death occurs.
Since the above is true of all drugs, it's important to note that taking a drug can only be weighed as necessary by being the lesser of two evils, so to speak. If one gets in an auto accident and the pain is unbearable, the medical personnel are more correct to give the person something for the pain than to let the patient suffer. Operations done without the use of drugs would themselves be too gruesome for most to endure. Not giving someone an antibiotic when medically necessary, would also be an error. Truly informed consent is the answer which should include the full information on any alternative treatments available. Care must be taken due to the underlying truth that all drugs are poisons.
Insist on Informed Consent
If a patient is honestly informed of all the adverse reactions and side effects of a drug and the options of not taking the drug as well as any alternative options presented one would be in a far better frame of mind to decide as to whether it is worth the risk. This however, only occurs in the minority of cases given the obvious rise in prescription drug abuse and the fact that 20% of the population abuses or misuses a prescription drugs.
Informed consent is your right.
Narconon presents these facts as a matter of public interest. We are a non–profit drug rehabilitation organization working to raise the awareness of drug abuse through drug education and information. We offer many Narconon Books and Videos on drug information and prevention in easy to understand formats. If you need help with someone addicted to drugs or alcohol, contact Narconon East U.S. at 877-237-3307.