Misconceptions about substance abuse disorders are common. Years of misinformation promoted by public awareness campaigns about drug use have led to widespread misconceptions about addiction. It was once common practice to depict those struggling with addiction as willful abusers of substances.
People often think of young adults experimenting with drugs during college or criminals getting coerced into drug use by the unsavory acquaintances they meet through illicit activity. While both of those situations do occur, there is another, far more benign situation that leads to many substance abuse disorders. For many people, a life-altering addiction begins with a significant medical challenge.
How can an injury lead to drug addiction?
Physicians treating those with serious pain symptoms have more options than ever before. The introduction of synthetic opioids has expanded pain management options and made treatment for pain more affordable.
Opioids are similar in their chemical composition to traditional, naturally-derived opiate drugs like morphine. However, they are synthetic compounds. They can be much easier to source and produce than drugs produced from opium poppies. They are also often several times stronger than traditional opiates.
For many people, an opioid addiction begins not with willful misconduct but rather with intractable pain. A doctor prescribes them narcotic pain relievers. They may still have painful symptoms even after they finish their prescription. Other times, they don’t have pain anymore, but they notice that they have already become dependent by the time their prescription ends.
They then begin sourcing the same medication on the unregulated market. They may be able to buy it from a neighbor or coworker. Their behavior also puts them at risk of criminal prosecution. Even if someone previously had a legitimate prescription for an opioid medication, using opioid medication after the prescription ends or contrary to how the doctor recommended can lead to prosecution.
Controlled substances laws in Maryland make it illegal to possess a drug without an active prescription or to obtain it from an unregulated source. Thankfully, there may be options available to those facing drug charges specifically because of an addiction that began with medical treatment.
They may qualify for adjudication in the drug courts. Instead of facing punishment, they may undergo intense court supervision combined with substance abuse treatment. Those who successfully complete pretrial diversion may be able to avoid criminal convictions and the penalties associated with drug offenses.
Connecting recent drug charges to a prior medical challenge could help someone develop the best defense strategy possible. The drug courts are one of several potential options available to those facing criminal prosecution because of a substance abuse disorder.