Who is at risk for drug dependence?
A wide variety of factors may contribute to a drug dependence problem. Of course, a patient must initially have a condition that is associated with severe pain. Risk factors for the development of narcotics addiction include low self-esteem, environment, heredity, personality, types of drugs that have been used and the ease of access to narcotics. At present, OxyContin, an oral form of morphine is one of the most commonly abused narcotics. It is also one of the most common drugs that drug dealers attempt to obtain from health care providers through illicit and untruthful means. This is frustrating for clinicians, as it may be difficult to sort out real pain issues with some patients. What are signs and symptoms? The signs and symptoms of drug dependence are varied and may be nonspecific. A clinician may be suspect of excessive narcotic use by a patient and the issue must be addressed. Other clues may be some physical findings of constipation, alterations in vital signs, altered mental
