Do you hate the term “drug seeking” when it’s used on people who are seeking legitimate medication?

[Anonymous]

Calling someone “drug seeking” for seeking NON-controlled medication for a legitimate mental health issue.

[Anonymous]

I have never heard the term used in that manner. Who is it that is saying this to you.

[Anonymous]

Hospitals will do that if you are a frequent flier. Read enough forums on websites for people with chronic conditions and you will hear horror stories. I don’t tolerate opioids well and never request them, but I was even refused an IV once until my doctor spoke with ER staff.

[Anonymous]

Usually just used for narc seeker.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Calling someone “drug seeking” for seeking NON-controlled medication for a legitimate mental health issue.

“Drug seeking” is typically reserved for those shopping for narcotic/opioid medications for minor or non-existent pain

[Anonymous]

Also, college students w/o ADHD who want adderall

[Anonymous]

used for narcotics, benzos, tranquilizers, stimulants.

Most often used when the person is addicted and has a legitimate need for the meds due to urges / withdrawal but not an underlying condition requiring it.

[Anonymous]

As a former ER nurse, I've seen this label thrown around a lot.

We get frequent fliers who are there to abuse meds for sure. And not just controlled substances but we've had quite a few who like the attention of the ED.

I'd say the number one reason people get this label thrown at them is when they come to the ED and tell the staff what they need before all tests have been performed. I'm guessing that's what happened with the IV PP. Now there are some people with chronic issues who know what works for them. Im not denying that. But if a staff member doesn't know you and you come in and tell them that last time this happened the only thing that works is Dilaudid, Ativan, and Phenergan....a red flag is going to be raised.

The worst thing about the current opiod crisis is that it penalizes those with legitimate flare ups or need for pain management. I have seen some crazy drug seeking behavior from people who wanted medication, not needed it. After awhile you can't help but become jaded to it all.

[Anonymous]

If you have an actual issue, then you're not "drug seeking."

I think PP's point is well-taken. If you go in asking for help with a condition or symptoms, that's one thing.

If you go in saying "I need [name brand drug]" you're asking for trouble.

[Anonymous]

I feel like anyone who's really bothered by this term, probably has a problem they don't want to admit.

[Anonymous]

As someone who has only been to the doc 2x in the last three years (doc in a box, I don't have a regular), desperately ill with sore throat/infection, I have had jaded docs brush me off. One waited over the weekend for tests and then called me in a rx for antibiotics 3 days too late. I'm not seeking drugs, I'm just seeking competent medical care! It makes me sad to think of people in chronic pain or an undiagnosed issue to be treated this horribly on a more frequent basis.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:As a former ER nurse, I've seen this label thrown around a lot.

We get frequent fliers who are there to abuse meds for sure. And not just controlled substances but we've had quite a few who like the attention of the ED.

I'd say the number one reason people get this label thrown at them is when they come to the ED and tell the staff what they need before all tests have been performed. I'm guessing that's what happened with the IV PP. Now there are some people with chronic issues who know what works for them. Im not denying that. But if a staff member doesn't know you and you come in and tell them that last time this happened the only thing that works is Dilaudid, Ativan, and Phenergan....a red flag is going to be raised.

The worst thing about the current opiod crisis is that it penalizes those with legitimate flare ups or need for pain management. I have seen some crazy drug seeking behavior from people who wanted medication, not needed it. After awhile you can't help but become jaded to it all.

That IS what happened to me. I knew that I would do best with a specific anti-nausea med and that I was at the point that I needed it by IV. And I was irritated because the initial treating staff didn’t know anything about my condition and tried to tell me I had a virus. They were apologetic and embarrassed after speaking with my doctor, but it didn’t take back the hours I suffered.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:As a former ER nurse, I've seen this label thrown around a lot.

We get frequent fliers who are there to abuse meds for sure. And not just controlled substances but we've had quite a few who like the attention of the ED.

I'd say the number one reason people get this label thrown at them is when they come to the ED and tell the staff what they need before all tests have been performed. I'm guessing that's what happened with the IV PP. Now there are some people with chronic issues who know what works for them. Im not denying that. But if a staff member doesn't know you and you come in and tell them that last time this happened the only thing that works is Dilaudid, Ativan, and Phenergan....a red flag is going to be raised.

The worst thing about the current opiod crisis is that it penalizes those with legitimate flare ups or need for pain management. I have seen some crazy drug seeking behavior from people who wanted medication, not needed it. After awhile you can't help but become jaded to it all.

That IS what happened to me. I knew that I would do best with a specific anti-nausea med and that I was at the point that I needed it by IV. And I was irritated because the initial treating staff didn’t know anything about my condition and tried to tell me I had a virus. They were apologetic and embarrassed after speaking with my doctor, but it didn’t take back the hours I suffered.

I’m sorry PP, that sounds infuriating. Especially when the drug that would help you isn’t anything that would get you high. Were they giving you oral meds at least?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:As a former ER nurse, I've seen this label thrown around a lot.

We get frequent fliers who are there to abuse meds for sure. And not just controlled substances but we've had quite a few who like the attention of the ED.

I'd say the number one reason people get this label thrown at them is when they come to the ED and tell the staff what they need before all tests have been performed. I'm guessing that's what happened with the IV PP. Now there are some people with chronic issues who know what works for them. Im not denying that. But if a staff member doesn't know you and you come in and tell them that last time this happened the only thing that works is Dilaudid, Ativan, and Phenergan....a red flag is going to be raised.

The worst thing about the current opiod crisis is that it penalizes those with legitimate flare ups or need for pain management. I have seen some crazy drug seeking behavior from people who wanted medication, not needed it. After awhile you can't help but become jaded to it all.

That IS what happened to me. I knew that I would do best with a specific anti-nausea med and that I was at the point that I needed it by IV. And I was irritated because the initial treating staff didn’t know anything about my condition and tried to tell me I had a virus. They were apologetic and embarrassed after speaking with my doctor, but it didn’t take back the hours I suffered.

I’m sorry PP, that sounds infuriating. Especially when the drug that would help you isn’t anything that would get you high. Were they giving you oral meds at least?

They gave me Zogran that I threw up pretty much instantly. There was none of the tabs that dissolve in your mouth available on the floor. I was not even given fluids by IV until my parents arrived and my mother specifically asked why.

[Anonymous]

Zofran, not Zogran.