WHENEVER we hear the term “drug abuse” we conceptualise the excessive use of alcohol, cocaine and marijuana. In reality, however, the problem significantly includes the misuse of antibiotics, analgesics, sedatives and even vitamin supplements. Of course, the difference between abuse and addiction is that it is far easier to get rid of drug abuse when compared with drug addiction.

Most of the common medications are easily available from the recalcitrant drug store owners and traders. Some doctors prescribe drugs for patients unnecessarily. Persons indiscriminately consume antibiotics in an attempt to treat themselves without being aware of the inherent dangers. These acts can easily result in the patient developing tendency or potential for misuse.

Perhaps what can be viewed as even more dangerous is the fact that one (as well as the target agent), can become immune to the effects of many drugs. This phenomenon may require a change in the medication or higher doses than normal to achieve the desired result, Acute infections caused by a decayed tooth and characterised by facial swelling, pain, fever and inability to open the mouth properly, during the first few days of onset should be treated with penicillin G injections given twice daily. Oral antibiotics ( capsules and tablets ) are not adequate therapy for acute dental abscesses or facial cellulitis ( face severely swollen ) because most of these do not kill the bacteria but merely prevent them from multiplying.

Also, the strength of capsules and tablets becomes depleted after being metabolised by the liver. The recommended practice is to localise ( with heat packs ) and drain the abscess in conjunction with the penicillin injections since the antibiotic in the bloodstream alone could never penetrate to the core of the abscess and kill the bacteria there.
If the abscess is not drained the affected area remains “hard”, for some time due to fibrosis or worse the abscess could spread leading to septicaemia (blood infection). Erythromycin tablets may be used for low keyed conditions such as alveolitis (infections of the tooth socket) and infected oral or facial wounds.
For chronic infections such as “gum boils” or fistulas (small openings which constantly ooze pus) treatment constitutes the removal of the cause rather than antibiotic therapy. The cause invariably is a diseased tooth.

Analgesics and anti-inflammatory drugs often substitute each other. They act by inhibiting the production of the prostaglandin in which causes pain. Ibuprofen in doses of 400 mgs every eight hours is among the best for severe pain. Aspirin is still one of the widely used
and dependable analgesics available for the relief of mild to moderate pain. However, because of its commonplace status within the home, many patients underestimate and psychologically mistrust each true effectiveness.

Codeine like morphine modifies the patient’s attitude to pain and has a marked ability to produce sedation plus almost unrealistic freedom from fear of the dental procedures. While this property appears ideal for the patient in severe pain about to visit the dentist, the fact is that codeine is ten times more dangerous than marijuana and should be avoided if necessary. Since all drugs have harmful effects, professional guidance should therefore be sought before using them.