Prescribing an Addiction - America's Prescription Drug Abuse Problem
Prescription drug abuse is fast becoming one of the most widely spread drug problems in the United States. In fact, according to the Office of National Drug Control Policy, prescription drug abuse ranks second to marijuana as the most prevalent illegal drug problem.
The primary reasons for this are that in many cases, prescription drugs are easy for teens to get a hold of and many teens fail to recognize the dangers associated with taking prescription drugs. For many, they hold on to the myth that simply because a medication comes from a doctor and not off the street, it must be safe to use to get high.
The Formation of Prescription Drug Addiction
Most people don’t look at their prescription drugs as being potentially dangerous to their health. While television commercials for modern drugs frequently list an exhaustive number of potential health risks and side effects, these drugs are not typically ones that people build a tolerance to. The three primary classifications of drugs that are most commonly abused include:
- Opioids
- Central nervous depressants
- Stimulants
- Dextroamphetamine
- Methylphenidate
Prescription drug addiction develops as the body starts to tolerate the drug. Because many of the drugs that fall within these categories are prescribed for pain, the user will often increase their dose to help increase the pain relieving effect. Before long, withdrawal symptoms will start to be experienced in between doses, forcing the user to take more of the drug more frequently.
Prescription Drug Addiction and Celebrities
One of the greatest contributors to prescription drug abuse is that the problem is so prevalent in Hollywood. These days, rehab has become a way for many stars to rejuvenate their careers or a way to keep their names in the papers. This fact causes great concern as prescription drugs are frequently involved in many celebrity drug-related deaths, including those of film stars Heath Ledger (OxyContin), Brittany Murphy (Vicodin) and Corey Haim (Vicodin). In the case of Ms. Murphy, the star received a prescription for 120 Vicodin pills just eleven days before her death. When her body was found, she only had eleven pills left.
Battling Back Against Prescription Drug Abuse
If you or a loved one is suffering from prescription drug abuse or addiction, you need to find and accept prescription drug addiction treatment as soon as possible. Prescription drugs are extremely dangerous and a deadly drug interaction can easily occur. Call our toll-free, 24-hour drug addiction helpline today at 877-794-0381 for assistance in finding a rehab for you or your loved one. One of our counselors will gladly provide you with a confidential prescription drug addiction assessment to ensure that the right treatment center is chosen for your individual recovery needs. Don’t follow your favorite celebrity to the grave - get help now 877-794-0381!
