Denham Springs, Louisiana 3/11/2010 4:03:09 AM
Prescription Drug Abuse Epidemic In Florida
Florida is experiencing a frightening epidemic: prescription drug abuse. More and more Florida residents are beginning to become addicted to drugs like Xanax, Oxycontin, and Vicodin. The amount of prescription drug overdose deaths in this state has increased by 77% from 2003 to 2008. Before more lives are lost it is vital for addicts to enroll in an effective drug and alcohol rehab.
Employees at Narconon Louisiana, a long-term, inpatient drug rehab, have seen an increase in the amount of Florida residents seeking treatment for prescription drug abuse. Jeff Lukas, Executive Director of Narconon Louisiana explains, “When a person lives in an area where prescription drug abuse is rampant, it’s not only likely they will experiment with pills, it’s likely they will become addicted.”
There are several different methods addicts will employ in order to obtain prescription drugs. Doctor shopping is when an addict will make several different appointments with doctors or dentists complaining of pain. Addicts will continue to go to these appointments until they are prescribed the drugs they are looking for.
Medicine cabinets are another way for addicts to acquire prescription drugs. In Indiana a thirteen year old boy died after one of his friends stole some Oxycontin from a family member’s medicine cabinet and gave it to the boy. Allowing prescription drugs to remain in a medicine cabinet makes it easier for the addicts to get a hold of them.
Narconon Louisiana specializes in handling drug addiction in a non-traditional way. Narconon Louisiana does not subscribe to the idea that addiction is a disease. Instead, clients work one on one with a counselor in order to figure out what underlying issues caused them to use drugs in the first place. Once those problems are isolated and handled the addict can get and stay off drugs permanently.
In addition to Narconon Louisiana’s unique take on addiction, they also employ a detoxification method that eliminates cravings. Clients enroll in several sessions in a dry heat sauna. This allows the body to rid itself of the harmful toxins that drugs and alcohol leave behind causing severe physical drug cravings which lead to relapse. Most addicts will cite cravings as the biggest barrier to sobriety. Once they have detoxified their body they are then able to take on life without the constant presence of cravings for drugs or alcohol.
While Florida is experiencing a prescription drug abuse epidemic, more states across the United States are noticing the same threat. Prescription drug abuse does not have to go unhandled. If you or anyone you know is in need of help please call Narconon Louisiana at 866-422-4650 for more information.
