Tough economic times may be driving strung-out bankers, traders and other financial workers to desperate measures--including drug abuse.
Statistics indicate a massive increase in substance abuse on Wall Street, and they're not getting it from dealers.
The drug of choice among Wall Street's finest appears to be prescription drugs, especially opioid painkillers like Vicodin, Oxycontin and Percocet.
While more addicts are seeking treatment, others are being admitted to emergency rooms or morgues.
Stress-Driven Substance Abuse Six out of ten investment bankers suffer from serious stress due to reduced pay, less staff, and an economy that is spiraling out of control.
As a result, many suffer from serious physical and emotional issues, and a number of them turn to prescription drugs to take the edge off of life.
They may take the edge off, but they also dull pleasure and stunt the brain's ability to secrete the hormones that regulate mood.
While they might provide a momentary high, the days that follow will be filled with deep depression, body pains, fever and illness as a result of opioid withdrawal.
Users naturally return to their pills and quickly find themselves in the midst of a full-blown addiction.
Dangerous Addiction Prescription drug addiction is particularly dangerous because users often have a lax attitude about use.
After all, pills are prescribed by doctors and they fill the medicine cabinets of nearly every household in America.
However, opiate painkillers are extremely addictive and, when abused, provide the same kind of high as heroin.
They can have similar side effects, as well.
Prescription opioid abuse can cause: • Nausea and vomiting.
• Constipation.
• Drowsiness.
• Memory impairment.
• Confusion.
• Alterations in mood--the user may be calm and relaxed one moment, then suddenly they may become agitated and very irritable.
Mood swings become more severe as addiction continues.
• Erratic behavior; the user may act very out of character.
• Mental cloudiness, such as being slow to answer or react.
• Sleep changes, such as being unable to sleep or sleeping too much.
• Anxiety is a common trait in prescription opioid abusers.
• Changes in hygiene and appearance--users may end up with a very unkempt appearance.
• Suicidal tendencies can occur, especially with severe withdrawal symptoms.
• Slowed breathing and bluish skin, which are signs of overdose.
Those who abuse the pills often crush them into powder in order to snort or inject them.
This provides a faster rush of euphoria; however, it also increases the risk of overdose and death.
Solutions In response to the massive painkiller epidemic, Mayor Bloomberg announced improvements to emergency room guidelines to prevent prescription opioid abuse.
Pharmacies are also implementing stricter methods of monitoring drugs, and doctors are being more careful in their screening.
Public ad campaigns and increased awareness will surely bring about improvement.
Tough economic times call for increased productivity, heightened awareness and tighter camaraderie--not the seclusion and ultimate dead end caused by drug abuse.
Statistics indicate a massive increase in substance abuse on Wall Street, and they're not getting it from dealers.
The drug of choice among Wall Street's finest appears to be prescription drugs, especially opioid painkillers like Vicodin, Oxycontin and Percocet.
While more addicts are seeking treatment, others are being admitted to emergency rooms or morgues.
Stress-Driven Substance Abuse Six out of ten investment bankers suffer from serious stress due to reduced pay, less staff, and an economy that is spiraling out of control.
As a result, many suffer from serious physical and emotional issues, and a number of them turn to prescription drugs to take the edge off of life.
They may take the edge off, but they also dull pleasure and stunt the brain's ability to secrete the hormones that regulate mood.
While they might provide a momentary high, the days that follow will be filled with deep depression, body pains, fever and illness as a result of opioid withdrawal.
Users naturally return to their pills and quickly find themselves in the midst of a full-blown addiction.
Dangerous Addiction Prescription drug addiction is particularly dangerous because users often have a lax attitude about use.
After all, pills are prescribed by doctors and they fill the medicine cabinets of nearly every household in America.
However, opiate painkillers are extremely addictive and, when abused, provide the same kind of high as heroin.
They can have similar side effects, as well.
Prescription opioid abuse can cause: • Nausea and vomiting.
• Constipation.
• Drowsiness.
• Memory impairment.
• Confusion.
• Alterations in mood--the user may be calm and relaxed one moment, then suddenly they may become agitated and very irritable.
Mood swings become more severe as addiction continues.
• Erratic behavior; the user may act very out of character.
• Mental cloudiness, such as being slow to answer or react.
• Sleep changes, such as being unable to sleep or sleeping too much.
• Anxiety is a common trait in prescription opioid abusers.
• Changes in hygiene and appearance--users may end up with a very unkempt appearance.
• Suicidal tendencies can occur, especially with severe withdrawal symptoms.
• Slowed breathing and bluish skin, which are signs of overdose.
Those who abuse the pills often crush them into powder in order to snort or inject them.
This provides a faster rush of euphoria; however, it also increases the risk of overdose and death.
Solutions In response to the massive painkiller epidemic, Mayor Bloomberg announced improvements to emergency room guidelines to prevent prescription opioid abuse.
Pharmacies are also implementing stricter methods of monitoring drugs, and doctors are being more careful in their screening.
Public ad campaigns and increased awareness will surely bring about improvement.
Tough economic times call for increased productivity, heightened awareness and tighter camaraderie--not the seclusion and ultimate dead end caused by drug abuse.