Let’s face it: the prescription drug market supports a huge industry. The pharmaceutical industry receives heavy government support due to ongoing research and extensive lobbying from pharmaceutical insiders. Drugs can be patented, and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration likes to hand out patents. Patents mean controlled products, and controlled products mean that a marketable product can be developed and merchandised. This all means big business opportunities, big money, and for the government, big tax revenues.
But how many of the pharmaceutical drugs on the market are truly helpful or even necessary? Probably not many. According to the Generic Pharmaceutical Association, 69% of all drugs purchased in the U.S. in 2007 were generic, over-the-counter medications. Frighteningly, this 69% accounts for only 16% of the dollars actually spent that year on prescription drugs such as levothyroxine, amoxicillin, lisinopril, simvastatin, hydrochlorothiazide, amlodipine besy, azithromycin, warfarin sodium, or furosemide.
With a growing rate of drug use across the country and around the world—and an ever-expanding pharmaceutical industry—the numbers of people choosing an alcohol rehab program are also likely to increase. The mix of prescription drugs and alcohol is a common problem and is likely to continue well into the foreseeable future. Few pay attention to the warning labels on bottles that recommend not mixing medicine and alcohol, and with the broad availability of off-the-shelf medicines and the regular consumption of alcohol by adults (not to mention minors), the problems caused by mixing prescription drugs and alcohol are likely to continue.
When taking a medicine, alone or with alcohol, think first. If you are a drinker, ease back on the beverages you consume if you are increasing your medication. Remember, the more medications you are taking, the greater the likelihood of side effects from combinations of the drugs, and adding alcohol into the mix should mean adding caution.
