One of the biggest epidemics in the country currently is the crisis involving prescription drug addiction, specifically opioids. In the United States alone, more than 15 million people currently abuse or are addicted to a prescription drug, and nearly 9/10 poisoning deaths are caused by prescription drugs. We, the people of the United States, consume nearly 75% of the world’s prescription drugs, and we make up about 5% of the population, to put that in perspective.
The number of people addicted to prescription pills has skyrocketed in recent years, and one factor to blame is the fact that nearly 50% of teenagers and young adults believe that prescription drugs are far safer than illicit substances on the street. This common belief couldn’t be more false. Many people become addicted to painkillers after a serious injury, when they were prescribed a heavy dose to help with their discomfort. Many people find themselves taking these types of pills at the smallest hint of pain or discomfort, which is one of the reasons people become so hooked to higher doses in a short time frame. Others, when they find that simply taking the pills no longer delivers the rush they seek, begin ingesting the drugs in ways not intended, such as crushing them and snorting them.
Some people abuse tranquilizers, like Valium, others take drugs that increase focus, such as Ritalin. There’s no shortage of options when it comes to prescription drugs, and having such a wide variety that can be relatively easily obtained is one of the roots of the problem. Over prescribing, over use and even simply getting prescribed something in order to sell it to someone else are all factors that are driving the numbers up across the country.
In many cases, all it may take is one nonmedical use of a prescription drug for people to want more, especially in teenagers. We fool ourselves at times into justifying the use of prescription drugs by the line of thinking that if it were dangerous or harmful, your doctor wouldn’t prescribe it to you. While the drugs people are most commonly addicted to can be beneficial when used as directed and for limited periods of time, it’s an extremely slippery slope into abusing them, and there’s little oversight in the industry and prescribing practices.
Addiction can rob you of your health and your dignity. Our 5-week program at The Springboard Center treats the whole person, creating healing in mind, body, and spirit. Bringing together evidence-based treatments and trusted 12-step principles, our best practices create a quality, accessible treatment program serving the Permian Basin and beyond. Call us today for information on our availability: (432) 620-0255
