Prescription Nation: Britain's hidden drug dependency | Stories of Our Times

One in four drugs that are prescribed to adults in England are dependency-forming drugs. And while prescriptions for opioids have fallen following the epidemic in the US, two dependency-forming drug groups have seen prescriptions rise: pregabalin and antidepressants. Do we really understand how these drugs are affecting patients? Or are we sleep-walking into a new addiction crisis?
If you've been prescribed any of the drugs mentioned in this podcast, do not stop taking your prescription without consulting your doctor first. And if you are concerned about dependence on prescription or other drugs, talk to your GP. If you’re having trouble finding the right sort of help, call the Frank drugs helpline on 0300 123 6600.
Guest: Venetia Menzies, Data and Digital Journalist, The Times and The Sunday Times.
Host: Manveen Rana.
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[@dennisyoung4631]

“They are good for silencing people…”

[@qutumap]

I had a NHS cardiologist commenced my first, and last, meeting with her with "we're going to put you on lots of meds" as if i were expected to respond "oh golly gee" like a sweet-toothed child being offered unlimited candy. I DO take a few meds for my condition, but i find disgusting the mentality that pushes it in such ad-hoc unquestioning manner, and backed by the self-interests of the pharmaceutical giants who also happen do and publish most of the research studies behind their drugs, or at least the studies whose 'findings' are in their interests to go ahead and publish.

[@ganrimmonim]

Pregabalin is a drug I take for my epilepsy, I certainly notice if a dose gets pushed back never mind if I miss one.

[@nibblersnuts7835]

Papering over the cracks in society.

[@johnh6515]

Sad story! Profit is boss . Dr.s included, pharmaceutical companies….motivated by $$$

[@VonRix]

But it’s utopia to think that there will ever be enough therapy available for everyone who suffers with mental health issues - because it’s a lot of people and all non chemical treatment is very labour intensive. It’s just not possible. This is where we really need automation - hopefully AI will be hopeful. But for the time being it’s either drugs or self help - meditation, sports, whatever helps.

[@julianshepherd2038]

My local chemist has a wall of painkillers behind the till.

[@JustB3NJI]

This problem exploded in the UK when the like of Purue were expose in the US, an that makes this utterly evil. It was absolutely no mistake. Big questions to be asked on how much doctors compromised their ethics for money...They have all been complicit it this and thousands of them belong in prison. Hardly any have ever calle it out or fought it. This generation of Doctors have the lowest morals.

[@ADhammer]

USA: “you must be new here”

[@Djent7779]

Don't stop eating your vegetables before consulting your doctor

[@boota1979]

The NHS cure little, they have morphed into prescribers.

[@Djent7779]

Where are the drugs made wake up

[@gaspode505]

Thanks "big pharma" Corrupting GP's Politicians 😢

[@elric6084]

Everyone I know is being diagnosed as pre-diabetic - even those people with excellent fitness regimes? 🐟🐟🐟🐟

[@Djent7779]

maybe they are counterfeit

[@niklaswikholm514]

If you think they can cure you while you doing nothing, your wrong, I been taking antidepressants for years and feel well because I do NOT drink a drop, I do no drugs, no tobacco or mariuana s##t. I exercice daily = take responsebility for my wellbeeing.

[@theoutsider6191]

Interesting that they apparently do not know how this drug works.... another drug where they don't know how it works is the wonder weightloss drug Ozempic. Call me skeptical if you will but there is no way i'd be taking a drug where nobody knows how it works. I'd be intregued to learn what else they don't know about these drugs following the extensive clinical trials they must have conducted.... Do they know what the body does to it, where it goes, how it is excreted, what the effects of its principal metabolites are, does it get cleared compeltely by the body...? Don't get me wrong depression/anxiety etc is heavy, but taking drugs that are poorly understood seems like a very bad idea to me. The reality also is the only drug likley to help would be ecstacy, and you would also need some talking therapy along with it.

[@guff9567]

This is precisely because the NHS IS EVIL

[@nicholasr39]

The problem is worse in Australia and USA. Nothing to do with NHS. People use more than prescribed and tapering off slowly is imperative for any drugs that alter the brain, antidepressants,antipsychotics,Benzodiazepines and gabapentonoids which pregabalin is. I've never experienced severe withdrawal symptoms even missing doses but to get off any of these requires you to taper. The problem is irresponsible doctors prescribing very high doses and no follow up appointments to see how they are doing, just refill and refill, that is wrong and occurs not only in the UK. Look on KZbin 60 minutes Australia did a programme on Pregabalin, its being given out in extreme doses. The problem is lies with the doctor not the NHS or the patient, however some patients feel euphoria on this drug and they take more than prescribed then make excuses that they lost them while traveling or they were stolen and then they get a refill. So it's important to keep patients on the lowest dose possible and increase very slowly to the point it treats the issue. For anxiety they should not be on anymore than 75mg twice a day, Some people are on 300mg twice a day and these are the ones who abuse it and have severe withdrawal symptoms.