Pill Abuse: The Facts about Prescription Pill Abuse

Pill abuse in the last decade has increased so much that there is literally an epidemic going on. The result of this trend has been an increase in the numbers of people that are entering treatment facilities. According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) heroin, methamphetamine or amphetamine use has not increased and even alcohol abuse has tapered off a bit but prescription pill abuse continues to flourish. In the years from 1997 to 2007 the numbers raised from 1% to 5% and nearly two million people entered treatment in 2007.

Even though pill abuse is escalating most do not take this problem seriously, mainly because the doctor is the one who initiates the original prescription people think that prescription pill abuse is different. Usually, the individual sees a doctor for severe pain, anxiety, depression, or sleep problems. The doctor will write a prescription and then depending on what the drug is it is very possible to develop an addiction after continued use. This is because many people start to depend on these drugs because when they take them they feel better.

Once the individual becomes used to taking these drugs and a tolerance has developed they have to often go to great depths to get more pills. It is quite common for those who are knee deep in pill abuse to complain about symptoms that do not exist in order to get medication from a doctor, see a number of different doctors and to use different pharmacies, take pills that are prescribed for someone else, and to exceed the recommended dosage.

The truth is that while many might believe that they can justify their addiction because they are hooked on prescription Vicodin rather than heroin, they are basically the same thing; highly addictive opiates. These pills do the same thing to the brain that illicit drugs do which is kill the endorphins and dopamine so that another source is needed to get them, hence the pills.

Another problem with pill abuse is the very broad range of people that this includes. Teens are developing pill addictions in record numbers because they are finding it easy to get high right out of their medicine cabinet at home. Seniors are also susceptible for pill abuse because they receive a greater amount of prescriptions than most other people. The groups in between are also at risk too just because of the availability. Most of these pills can be ordered online with a credit card.

The most abused pills are Xanax, which is an anti anxiety drug and classified as a benzodiazepine and is very addictive, Ritalin, which is used to treat narcolepsy but more commonly attention deficit disorder (ADD), Oxycontin and Vicodin, which are highly powerful and addictive opiate prescription painkillers. Steroid abuse is increasing. Steroids are prescription drugs that bulk up muscle.

The pills today can deliver exactly what people want. They can take away pain, they can render sleep, and they can take away sleep and appetite. The problem is that they are also very addictive which is why pill abuse has become so prevalent. One fifth of the people that live in the US have used engaged in non medical prescription pill abuse, according to The National Institutes of Health. A half a million people were treated for prescription drug overdoses in 2000.

When prescription pill abuse leads to a problem that one cannot control or stop then it is likely that prescription drug addiction treatment will be necessary.  These pills are not meant to be abused and when they are they pose a grave danger so it is essential that help is sought immediately. Drug treatment programs are equipped to offer a comfortable and safe medically supervised detox and then a rigorous in patient treatment that brings forth all of what is necessary to stay clean and sober and to live a life without depending on prescription pills. 

Surely, this problem can seem overwhelming however recovery is possible as the destructive cycle is broken. Using the 12-Step philosophy in conjunction with cognitive behavioral therapy and creating a unique treatment plan for every individual accomplish this. Success is an enduring process and one that requires building a new foundation for life. After treatment it is important to have a detailed aftercare program established which could even require a sober living environment.

If you are suffering from prescription pill abuse please call us today for a new beginning.

Genesis House Inc. is a leader in addiction treatment and have helped thousands of people recover from the devastating consequences of their addictions. Call 1-800-737-0933 or 561-439-4070 for immediate help and answers. More information is available on our web site http://www.genesishouse.net or please email us at info@genesishouse.net