As the Opioid Crisis continues to wreak havoc on the public, doctors and healthcare officials have been cracking down on the processes for prescribing and offering painkillers to patients. However, it seems that some abusers and addicts have started to get (for lack of a better word) creative in their endeavors. In fact, they are even willing to steal from their fluffy, four-legged companions to achieve euphoria. As strange as this may sound, these men and women are stealing their pets’ opioid painkillers, and their doctors will not be the wiser. So, why is this suddenly taking place? Let’s take a closer look at the bizarre issue of opioid abusers and painkillers for their pets.
Drugs for Pets and Their Owners
According to Emily Feinstein (the executive vice president of the Center on Addiction), the chances of a man or women using a pet’s medication to get high is (unfortunately) very probable, and you might realize the gravity of the situation after reading the statistics. From 2007 to 2017, the University of Pennsylvania’s School of Veterinary Medicine handed out 41% more opioid prescriptions, even though the number of pet visits increased by a minimal 13%. Results have also shown that Penn Vet prescribed a total of 105 million tramadol tablets, 97,500 hydrocodone tablets, and 39,000 codeine tablets during the test.
Keep an Eye on Drugs
Obviously, veterinarians are starting to monitor opioid prescriptions more closely, according to Dr. John de Jong (president of the American Veterinary Medical Association). As he explains, in several instances, pet owners have used opioids that were originally intended for their animals, and some vets have even voiced their concern about this issue. At some points, some doctors reported how pet owners kept returning to get their pets’ pills refilled, even though the animals didn’t need the medication anymore. As Dr. Harshal Kirane points out, the opioid epidemic needs to be tackled from all sides of the playing field, even in locations where we take our kittens and puppies for exams.
Seeking Treatment for Opioid Use Disorder
Opioids are extremely potent and dangerous drugs that have a high risk for abuse and addiction. If you are ever instructed to take these medications, proceed with caution. Follow the instructions to the letter and never take more than the required dose.
If you are suffering from a severe case of opioid use disorder or have a friend or loved one who is coping with this illness, get in touch with Asana Recovery today. Our professional team of counselors and healthcare experts will help you endure the painful process detox and withdrawal and guide you through each step of the rehabilitation process to help you separate yourself from these deadly painkillers.
If you want to find out more about our residential treatment or supervised detoxification/withdrawal programs or enroll in one of these programs today, we are ready and waiting to speak with you at your leisure and your disclosure. Call Asana now at (949) 438-4504 to learn how you can overcome your attachment to opioids and take an essential step against the Opioid Crisis.
