New data from the IMS Institute for Healthcare Informatics shows that Americans are spending more money than ever before on medications. The spending in 2014 was over 374 billion, which is 13 percent higher than 2013. This is the highest level of spending reported since 2001.

In 2014, American pharmacies filled 4.3 billion prescriptions. The rising number of prescriptions is due to the millions of people newly insured after the Affordable Care Act. Included in this 4.3 billion prescriptions are a high number of new medications for diseases like cancer, multiple sclerosis and Hepatitis C.

Also included is a high number of narcotics. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there are three times as many painkiller prescriptions as there are people, even in the state that prescribes the least amount of medication. Writing out prescriptions for painkillers for patients complaining of slightest amount of pain has become somewhat of a norm for doctors.

It is a sad fact that a lot of these prescription medications will become abused or misused, leading to many health consequences, including addiction. Patients should be informed by doctors about the addictive nature of narcotics. This may reduce the spending on medication in the United States.

If  you or a loved one is addicted to narcotics, Seabrook can help. Call us right now at (888) 223-0298 for more information.