What is a common consequence of double doctoring?

Double doctoring refers to the practice where a patient consults more than one physician to obtain prescriptions for the same or similar medications, often with the intent to acquire more drugs than necessary. This can lead to significant risks, primarily associated with the potential abuse of prescription medications. When patients engage in double doctoring, they may receive a greater quantity of controlled substances, which can increase the likelihood of misuse, addiction, or overdose.

Moreover, this illegal practice complicates the ability of healthcare providers to monitor a patient’s medication regimen effectively. Without a cohesive understanding of a patient’s complete prescription history, physicians may unknowingly contribute to a cycle of dependency and abuse. Therefore, the most common consequence of double doctoring is indeed the potential for abuse of prescription medications, highlighting the need for systems that monitor prescribing and dispensing practices to ensure patient safety and appropriate use of medications.