Snappy newsletters. Simple Facebook sharing. Spirited comments. Sweet features are waiting… GET THEM NOW!

Most Addicts Get Pills From Pals

Doctors only give pills to 1 in 5 abusers: Study

By Kevin Spak,  Newser Staff

Posted Jun 21, 2011 2:35 PM CDT

(Newser) – Looks like Michael Jackson was the exception to the rule. Most painkiller addicts get their pills from family or friends rather than doctors, according to a new study. Just 1 in 5 abusers use their doctor as their primary source for their drugs, and 69% get their drugs exclusively from non-medical sources, the study found, according to Time. Among those aged 18-to-25, that figure jumps to 77%.

The findings are in line with previous studies, which found that less than 3% of abusers become addicted after being legitimately prescribed the drugs. Yet prevention initiatives for painkiller abuse have focused almost exclusively on tracking patients' medical records and trying to get doctors to write fewer prescriptions for opioids.
Most people get their pills from friends.
Most people get their pills from friends.   (Shutterstock)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
My TakeCLICK BELOW TO VOTE
9%
51%
16%
9%
4%
11%
To report an error on this story, notify our editors.
COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 8 comments
Jeffrey-Lebowski
Jun 21, 2011 5:49 PM CDT
One in eight New Yorkers are prescribed oxycontin so I guess most are on it. "thats what friends are for"
Antisweep
Jun 21, 2011 4:05 PM CDT
6 or 7 years ago i had a friend that was getting them from the Sister of one of his buddy, the crazy thing is she worked at a pharmacy and would pilfer the pills out.
dilbertfan
Jun 21, 2011 2:53 PM CDT
the majority of the pills are coming from Pain management clinics. they are located in various large cities but Houston Tx are notorious for them. they are arresting people in our area with 300+ pills and they claim a simply drive to a pain clinic is all it takes to score large amounts of pills with little or no proof of a medical condition. It reminds me of the medical farse of medical weed where the dr is located next door to the dispensaries and if you don't have a prescription for a small fee you can score one by simply saying you have back pain, etc. Here is how the conversation goes: I want to buy some "medical weed." Do you have a prescription? No. Ok, go next door. Hello, I need to get a prescription for "medical weed". Sure, the Dr will be with you in a moment. Dr enters room. What is your problem. I have um, back pain. Ok, here is your script. That will be $55 for the Dr visit. Armed with prescription, returns to pot dispensaries. I need to score, uh purchase some medical weed and here is my prescription. Ok, come on in and make your selection. This is how it works and everyone knows it.

 
opioids • painkiller • drug abuse • prescription painkillers • prescription drug overdose

 
NEWS FROM OUR PARTNERS
Other Sites We Like:   24/7 Wall St.   |   BuzzFeed   |   Cracked   |   World History Project   |   POPSUGAR Tech   |   Business Insider   |   HuffPost Entertainment   |   NewsOne