• Physicians can intervene if they suspect a patient of prescription abuse.pills image by Maria Brzostowska from Fotolia.com
  
  Physicians play a key role in providing relief from pain. But this relief can sometimes translate to substance abuse. Some pain pills have a very high potential to become addictive due to their chemical formulations. Add a troubled background and there is the very real chance the pills prescribed can lead to substance abuse. Physicians should step in immediately if they sense a problem with prescription drugs.
  
  

Risk Assessment

• The first and least invasive technique that a physician can use is to simply ask questions. Also known as risk screening, it plays a vital role in pinpointing any major changes since the last prescription. Risk screening should be done on a regular basis to ensure that medications are taken correctly. Risk screening should also include inquiring about the use of illegal drugs.
  
  

Consult PMP

• The second physician intervention procedure is to consult the PMP or the Prescription Monitoring Program. The state set up the program and designed it to monitor patients and the prescriptions they receive. From this information, physicians can determine if the patient is receiving prescription drugs from different doctors or pharmacy locations.
  
  

Change Prescriptions

• A physician can also change the prescription to a less addictive formulation of pain drugs. The drugs are designed to prevent the highs associated with other opiates. They also aid in keeping patients from overdosing by causing uncomfortable side effects when taken in high doses. This should be used with other techniques to provide an overall treatment for substance abuse for the patient.
  
  

Use of Technology

• An effective physician intervention procedure entails the use of an advanced prescription dispensing device to keep the patient on a regular dosing schedule. With technology aiding in the dispensing of pills, it prevents the patient from gaining access prior to the time the pill should be taken. It also ensures that the patient taking the medicine is the same one who was prescribed it.
  
  

Refer to Treatment

• If the physician uncovers a pattern of substance abuse, she can then refer the patient to a treatment center for help in breaking the addiction. The treatment center is designed to take care of the problems that a physician cannot necessarily address, such as the psychological aspects of substance abuse or the past attributes that contributed to the substance abuse.