Question

Lesson 1 Discussion Question -- Drug-Seeking Patient by Course Creator Do Not Contact - Thursday, January 30, 2020, 11:12 AM

Answer 1

Answer) DRUG SEEKING PATIENT: The words drug seeking generally shows that the person is addicted to opioids. Opioids are considered as pain killers, these are safer than other pain killers. The patients with a history of drug addiction should be allowed to take opioids for pain relieve.

Excessive craving is one sign of addiction of drugs after knowing its harmful effects. Patients with this addiction tries to harm themselves if they are denied to give their addicted drug. One should stop calling them drug seeking because they are using this for their pain treatment. Drug dependance starts developing if the drug is administered for the longer period of time. Long period of drug administration may cause the drug tolerance by which higher doses of the drug have to be taken by the patients.

Sometimes pain is present but the signs of pain is absent. Signs are seen when the test is performed. Patient counsellers must ask them in a respectful manner about their drug addiction, ask them to say directly and openly about the use of opioids for their better treatment. Drug abuse can happen in this patients so one must look for the physical signs of drug abuse .

By consistent monitoring and planning treatment should be given to such patients.