Pastoral Care and Counselling Intervention to Prescription Drug Addiction

Abstract

Prescription drug addiction is an increasing problem in our society. Prescription drugs are designed to treat a specific illness or condition. If not taken correctly they can affect the body in various ways, some of which can be uncomfortable, and in some cases, dangerous. Prescription drugs are not safer and less addictive than other medicines as some people think. Prescription drugs are only safe for individuals who have prescriptions for them. This is because a doctor has examined these people and prescribed the right dosage of the medication for a specific medical condition. The addicts endanger themselves by taking drugs that are not prescribed for them. The adverse effects of this practice could be psychological, physical, or emotional. These effects can be of significant intensity on the users and pose challenges to their families as well. In the light of the adverse effects, pastoral counselling becomes imperative in curbing the “health cankerworm” among family unit systems in order to have a healthy community and a better society. This paper is addressed from a pastoral counselling viewpoint and not from a clinical point of view. It is believed that effective pastoral counselling will help families desist from this injurious practice.