Experts warn prescription drugs fuel new wave of addiction

The face of addiction is changing as experts warn of the harsh reality of prescription medications. FULL STORY

The face of addiction is changing as experts warn of the harsh reality of prescription medications.

Owner of Gold Coast Pharmaceutical Support Matthew Frankland, who runs clinics in Mermaid Beach, Southport and Brisbane, said more and more people were becoming dependent on the drugs.

“We’ve have more patients than we had five years ago – it’s a changing face,” Mr Frankland said.

“I’m over 60 years old. When I first started as a pharmacist I worked doing the methadone program at the old Southport Hospital in the ’80s and it was a different world as far as addictions go.”

Opioid drugs; MS Contin, Durogesic and OxyContin Picture: Josh Woning.

Mr Frankland said the major issues back then were heroin and illicit drugs, but more people were now developing addictions through prescription medication.

The clinic owner said the majority of patients were employed professionals, and even included new mothers raising families.

“I had a young lady come in here who had a lot of post-partum pain after the delivery and went on pain medications which she became dependant on,” he said.

Mr Frankland said the young mother was being prescribed OxyContin for the pain, increasing her dosage and going back “for more and more”.

“She needed it just to function,” he said.

Director and owner of Gold Coast Pharmaceutical Support, Matthew Frankland. Picture: Glenn Hampson

Having sourced more through another GP she was eventually cut off, Mr Frankland said.

“She’s all of a sudden in withdrawals with a young baby – she was distraught,” he said.

The young mother found herself seeking help at the clinic where she was prescribed methadone to stabilise her withdrawal issues and eventually wean her off completely.

“She absolutely freaked out, she cried,” Mr Frankland said.

“She goes, ‘I can’t have my husband finding out I’m a methadone addict, I’m not an addict’ – it was a terrible thing. She was really upset because she didn’t move in those circles.”

Director and owner of Gold Coast Pharmaceutical Support, Matthew Frankland with Practice Manager Sarah Fenwick. Picture: Glenn Hampson

Mr Frankland said “a lot” of people who are cut off from prescription medications can easily fall into illicit drugs, such as heroin, given the circumstances.

“Doctors are realising they’ve been a bit loose with their prescribing and caused a lot of these problems,” he said.

“I think a lot of new doctors coming through have a different attitude to opioid prescribing. They’re not just throwing them out like lollies.”