Hazards Implicit in Prescribing Psychoactive Drugs

Lennard, Henry L.; Epstein, Leon J.; Ransom, Donald C.; Bernstein, Arnold

doi:10.1126/science.169.3944.438

Cited by 49 publications

(4 citation statements)

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“…both visible and invisible, short-and long-range, interpersonal and social (6). The decision to use any drug, therefore, especially a potent one, involves a consideration of these costs.…”

Section: Methadone Modelmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Methadone Illusion

Lennard¹,

Epstein²,

Rosenthal³

1972

Science

Self Cite

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“…both visible and invisible, short-and long-range, interpersonal and social (6). The decision to use any drug, therefore, especially a potent one, involves a consideration of these costs.…”

Section: Methadone Modelmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Methadone Illusion

Lennard¹,

Epstein²,

Rosenthal³

1972

Science

Self Cite

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“…In 1975 (Fidell, Note 5), 54% of women questioned thought it better to take drugs than to go through a day tense and nervous, and 48% thought it better to use drugs than to spend a sleepless night. Acceptance of use of drugs is increasing, and so are the indicators for their use in the medical literature (Lennard, Epstein, Bernstein, & Ransom 1970).…”

Section: Persistence Of Usementioning

confidence: 99%

Sex differences in psychotropic drug use.

Fidell¹

1981

Professional Psychology

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Prescription use of psychotropic drugs is extensive, involving millions ojpersons, mostly women, each year. Consequences of misuse/abuse of them include failure to solve underlying problems, psychological dependence, and suicide. Origins of use include greater stress among women, a tendency by women to report more numerous mental health symptoms, physician attitudes toward women, and the interaction between symptom presentation and physician expectations. Drug use persists because of low self-esteem, growing acceptance of chemical intervention, failure to recognize some prescription use as abuse, and the dependence component of the sex stereotypes. Responsibilities of professional psychologists are discussed.Psychotropic drugs are mood-modifying drugs such as minor tranquilizers (Valium, Librium), major tranquilizers (Thorazine), sedatives and hypnotics (Seconol, Quaalude), antidepressants (Elavil), and stimulants (Preludin, Dexedrine). Overthe-counter versions of minor tranquilizers, sedatives, and stimulants are available. Although some of these drugs also have strictly physiological indicators (e.g., minor tranquilizers to relieve muscle spasm), they were developed and are used most frequently to alter the affective states of individuals. Because women are more involved with drugs in these categories than are men, this article explores the relationship between sex differences and the extent, origin, and persistence of use. Extent of UseIt is estimated that at least half of adult women have used psychotropic drugs at some time for medical purposes (Program for Women's Concerns, Note 1). In 1977, of 51,000,000 Americans who used tranquilizers, 63% were women. Of 17,000,000 who used stimulants, 71% were women (National Institute on Drug Abuse, 1978b). Women also received 71% of the prescriptions for antidepressants (Hughes & Brewin, 1979). In 1977, approximately 8,500,000 women were introduced by prescription to tranquilizers, 3,000,000 to sedatives, and 1,000,000 to stimulants (National Institute on Drug Abuse, 1978b). Over two thirds of the prescriptions for psychotropic drugs are written to women, fewer than one third to men (FDA Drug Bulletin, 1980).Valium, a minor tranquilizer first introduced in 1963, is now our most heavily prescribed drug. Between May 1976 and April 1977, 57,000,000 prescriptions were written for Valium (National Institute on Drug Abuse, 1978a). Although advertised as an antianxiety agent effective in treating depression, evidence suggests that different effects on women may be produced at different stages of the menstrual cycle, with antianxiety produced premenstrually but restlessness produced during the postmenstrual phase (Shader, Note 2). These figures on psychotropic drugs underestimate their actual use in at least two ways. First, drugs not categorized as psychotropics frequently contain psychotropic compounds among other ingredients. Many prescription analgesics and antispasmodics, for instance, contain one or more psychotropic compounds. Second, these figures are primarily for pr...

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“…The reverse danger has been excellently delineated by Lennard, et al (1970) in an article in Science entitled "Hazards Implicit in Prescribing Psychoactive Drugs." Their charge is that the pharmaceutical industry, in order to extend the use and increase the sale of "psychoactive drugs," is:…”

Section: Not "Sin" Alone But "Sin" and Sicknessmentioning

confidence: 99%

Peer groups and medication, the best "therapy" for professionals and laymen alike.

Mowrer¹

1971

Psychotherapy: Theory, Research & Practice

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Hazards Implicit in Prescribing Psychoactive Drugs

Cited by 49 publications

References 1 publication

The Methadone Illusion

The Methadone Illusion

Sex differences in psychotropic drug use.

Peer groups and medication, the best "therapy" for professionals and laymen alike.

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