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Prescription Drug Abuse Leads To Monitoring Of Pain Meds

By Dr. Brian McDonough, Medical Editor

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - There is no doubt that many people go to see the doctor when they are in pain. Whether it is a headache, back pain or problems with the joints, when people see the doctor they want relief from pain.

Physicians will take the approach to not just reduce the pain but also find out what is the underlying cause and try to treat it.

However, a growing problem all across the country is people going to the doctor who have dependency on pain medicine.

Prescription drug abuse has become such a big issue that computer technology is now in place in many states to track the flow of these medications and see when they are appropriately or inappropriately prescribed and used.

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