Reducing Prescription Drug Misuse: Working with Your Healthcare Provider

Working with your healthcare provider is essential to prevent and reduce prescription drug misuse. Here are practical steps you and your healthcare provider can take together to ensure you are maintaining proper prescription use – ensuring your mission readiness

Responsible Prescribing

• Healthcare Providers
  Providers should conduct thorough assessments, including medical history, current medications, and risk factors for substance misuse, before prescribing potentially addictive medications.
• Service Members
  You should always provide complete and accurate information about your health, including any history of substance use, mental health conditions and all medications and supplements you are taking.

Limiting Drug Use or Misuse

• Healthcare Providers
  Providers should prescribe the lowest effective dose for the shortest necessary time, especially for opioids and other high-risk medications, to reduce the risk of misuse and leftover pills. Whenever possible, providers should consider medications that are not addictive for pain and other conditions.
• Service Members
  If you have concerns about a medication’s side effects, potential for addiction or your ability to manage it safely, talk openly to your provider. Always take medications as prescribed. Do not change the dose, number of times it should be taken or length of time you take it without first talking to your provider. Never give your prescription medications to others, even if they have similar symptoms.

Education

• Healthcare Providers
  Providers must give clear instructions on how to take medications safely, including dosage, timing and what to avoid (e.g., alcohol, other sedatives). They also have the responsibility of educating service members about the risks of misuse, dependence and potential side effects. Finally, they should advise on how to store medications securely and how to properly dispose of unused or expired medications.
• Service Members
  Make sure you understand why a medication is being prescribed, how to take it, possible side effects and what to avoid while taking it (e.g., alcohol, certain foods or other drugs). If anything is unclear about your prescription, ask your provider or pharmacist for clarification. Keep medications in a safe place, out of reach of those who might misuse them. Ask your provider or pharmacist about safe disposal options for unused or expired medications.

Regular Screenings

• Healthcare Providers
  When misuse is suspected, providers can use brief intervention techniques—short conversations that raise awareness and encourage change. For patients showing signs of addiction, providers should be prepared to refer them to appropriate addiction treatment and support services.
• Service Members
  Maintain an up-to-date list of all your medications and share it with every healthcare provider you see. Be aware of signs of misuse, such as running out of medication early, feeling the need to take more than prescribed or experiencing cravings. If you experience side effects, difficulty managing your medication or signs of dependence, inform your provider right away.

Reducing Stigma

• Healthcare Providers
  Providers should approach patients with empathy and without judgment, reducing stigma and encouraging open communication about medication use and substance abuse concerns.
• Service Members
  Know that seeking help for prescription misuse is a sign of bravery and strength for recognizing the help you need and not a sign of weakness. Reach out to your military specific substance abuse program offering prevention, education, counseling and treatment.
  • Marine Corps Substance Abuse Program
  • Navy Alcohol and Drug Prevention Program
  • Air Force Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention and Treatment Program
  • Army Substance Abuse Program
• Helplines
  Support is always available for warfighters to take the first step toward a healthier future
  • Military OneSource: Call 800-342-9647 for assistance navigating military-specific resources.
  • Military Crisis Line: Dial 988 and press 1 for immediate support.
  • SAMHSA’s National Helpline: Call 800-662-HELP (4357) for confidential support and referrals to treatment programs.

Healthcare providers and warfighters are on the front lines of preventing and addressing prescription drug misuse. Together through open communication, responsible prescribing, education, early intervention and ongoing monitoring, they can reduce the risk of misuse and increase warfighter preparedness. Learn more about ways to improve your health and prescription drug facts here.