There are many ways for individuals to violate drug statutes. Simply possessing or consuming certain substances can lead to criminal charges. State law makes certain drugs completely illegal regardless of the situation. Other times, people may face criminal charges related to a substance that is conditionally legal in certain circumstances.
Specifically, they may face criminal charges related to the misuse or improper distribution of controlled substances such as prescribed medications. Only physicians can legally dispense controlled substances. Those who need certain types of medication have to see a doctor to legally access those treatments.
In scenarios where a doctor stops prescribing a certain medication or doesn’t provide enough medication, a patient might make an appointment with another medical provider or go to a hospital in a different location. Those actions may constitute doctor shopping and might lead to criminal charges.
What is doctor shopping?
The term doctor shopping refers to the practice of seeing multiple physicians in an attempt to obtain a particular prescription medication. People may go to multiple different urgent care facilities or emergency rooms over the course of a single weekend seeking the same pain relievers at each facility.
They may then end up facing criminal accusations because they lied about their circumstances to the prescribing physician. Doctor shopping involves misrepresenting medical symptoms and current treatment to access prescribed medications.
The act of lying to a doctor to obtain controlled substance is a crime on its own. People who claim they have not undergone treatment or do not have a valid prescription from another physician can face prosecution if medical professionals uncover their lies and report them to authorities. They could also be at risk if those in regulatory positions identify questionable prescriptions when reviewing medical practices and insurance claims.
Doctor shopping charges can lead to financial penalties and incarceration. The criminal record that accompanies a conviction or guilty plea might limits the accused person’s opportunities for the rest of their life.
Sometimes, totally innocent behavior, such as disagreeing with a doctor’s treatment plan or diagnosis, might lead to behavior that looks like doctor shopping. Those facing drug charges may need help evaluating their circumstances. Responding assertively to drug charges can potentially help people to avoid the worst penalties possible.
