When it comes to addiction, most of us don’t think we are at risk. However even if you’re fit and health conscious, you can fall prey to addiction. A single injury can start the addiction process without you even realizing it.
Injuries can lead an otherwise healthy and active individual to take painkillers to avoid surgery or function without pain. When taken as directed for a limited period of time these prescription medications can be effective. However the user can find him or herself focused on the medication and fighting the feelings of wanting more.
Because most people don’t believe they are at risk, they don’t ask questions about the drugs prescribed to them. Percocet, Vicodin and Lortab are provided by doctors and appear medically safe. By the time an individual realizes one of these pain medications has become a problem, it is difficult to ask for help. Years of addiction and deception can follow.
In the late 1990s the availability of prescription-only opioid painkillers was seen as progress. These medications surpassed tranquilizers and sedatives in popularity. They also became the most abused prescription drugs. In the beginning painkillers were prescribed cautiously, but, after information surfaced that seemed to show that opioids weren’t as addictive as initially feared, doctors began to prescribe more liberally. By the time more studies showed the addiction risks were serious, a false sense of security had been created, and the wide availability of these drugs made abuse much easier.
Based on the most recent survey an estimated 5.1 million Americans are currently taking pain relievers without a doctor's prescription, 2.2 million are taking tranquilizers, 1.1 million are taking stimulants and 400,000 are taking sedatives on a regular basis.
If you or someone you love is struggling with an unintentional addiction to prescription drugs, call La Paloma at the toll-free number on our homepage. Someone is there to take your call 24 hours a day and answer any questions you have about treatment, financing or insurance.
