Wellness Corner: Follow prescription drug rules carefully Published Feb. 17, 2011 By Dr. Marc Ybaben 75th Medical Group, Occupational Medicine Services HILL AIR FORCE BASE, Utah -- Over the past two decades, the prescription use and availability of narcotic or opium-based pain medications has increased dramatically. Much of that increase has been for the treatment of acute and chronic pain conditions. Although these medications can be helpful when used appropriately, they can also be habit forming and physically addictive; because of this, there has been a similar increase in the misuse and abuse of prescription narcotic medications. Many people are unaware that both state and federal laws have restrictions on prescription drugs, and that certain uses are actually illegal -- including something as seemingly innocent as carrying your pills in your pocket or purse, away from the prescription bottle. Alan Hall, RPh, a pharmacist in the 75th Medical Group, sees this problem in two main ways: "If the medication's not for you, then it's illegal to take. Also, if you're taking it outside of its prescribed manner, that is illegal." Hall clarified that, "Just because your spouse, for example, is taking a medication for headaches, doesn't mean that it's 'OK' for you to take it, too." Likewise, if the prescription is for two pills per day, it could be illegal to take more than that. Hall emphasized that not only is this behavior dangerous from a health standpoint -- an individual could be allergic to someone else's medication or could take too much and have complications -- but "people don't realize if they're caught, their employment could be in jeopardy or they could even end up in jail if they took a drug test and showed positive for a drug they weren't prescribed." When you look at those who misuse prescription pain drugs, over half of them obtain the medications free from friends and family members, and 80 percent of the friends and family obtain their medication from a single physician. Only a small percentage of misusers (about 18 percent) acquire the medication from their own physician, and it's the unusual misusers (only about 5 percent) who get the medication from a "street dealer" or stranger. What does all this mean? With the increase in pain treatment and subsequent increased availability of pain medications, some patients are at risk for developing misuse problems, but a larger number of persons are at risk through the sharing of medications from family and friends. So, if you have a prescription for pain medications, it's safest that you take them only as prescribed, and make sure they are safely kept from family members. Fortunately, regardless of how someone initially developed a prescription misuse or abuse problem, there are effective treatment options both on and off base. If you are concerned about your own use -- or that of a family member or friend -- you can call a number below to start accessing help. The resources can help you figure out if there is a problem in the first place, and if so, how best to go about taking care of it. The following local resources are available: Active duty: Mental Health Clinic/Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention and Treatment (ADAPT), (801) 777-7909 Active duty and dependents: Chaplain, (801) 777-2106; Military OneSource, 1 (800) 342-9647; Airman and Family Readiness Center, (801) 777-4681; Military and Family Life Consultant (MFLC), (801) 586-8582 All TriCare beneficiaries: TriWest crisis line, 1 (866) 284-3743 Civilians with TriCare benefits: TriWest Behavioral Health Contact Center, 1 (866) 651-4970 Civilians without TriCare benefits: ADAPT (for initial evaluations), (801) 777-7909; Employee Assistance Program, 1 (800) 222-0364; Occupational Medicine, (801) 777-1163; Wingman Advocates: (801) 777-CALL (2255). You can also call 1 (800) 662-HELP or visit www.findtreatment.samhsa.gov.