A study in the April 27 edition of The Journal of Pain shows that men and women have very different reasons for abusing prescription painkillers. The study involved 662 men and women who were not cancer patients and who took opioid painkillers such as codeine and morphine. The studys researchers closely analyzed the volunteers for signs of opioid addiction, including attempting to figure out what factors initiated the abuse. Although men and women had similar levels of addiction, their prescription drug
addiction was triggered by different causes.
According to the author of the study, Robert N. Jamison, a clinical Psychologist at Harvards Brigham and Women's Hospital, women abused painkillers due to emotional issues as well as psychological distress.
Jamison also said that women who abuse narcotics are generally more likely to admit to being sexually or physically abused, or they have had past psychological problems. The study's researchers believe that women who show any signs of "significant affective stress" and are taking opioid painkillers to treat chronic pain that is not related to cancer should get treatment for mood disorder as well as counseling designed to inform them of the dangers of being addicted to prescription medicines.
In regards to men, Jamison said that opioid addiction can be caused by social and behavioral problems. He believes that men who are addicted to prescription medicines and who don't have chronic pain related to cancer should be closely monitored by doctors for signs of behavioral problems.Chronic pain is defined as pain that lasts for up to six months after you body is supposed to have healed. If you don't have chronic pain but are abusing painkillers, you need to see a doctor immediately and seek advice and assistance.
