Although most people consider prescription drugs to be fairly safe, these substances have quickly become the biggest source of addiction in America, especially among young adults and teenagers. Sometimes, this starts off as innocent experimentation as teenagers steal drugs from their parent’s medicine cabinet and share with friends. Other times, a patient may become addicted after receiving a prescription for a legitimate medical issue. Before they know it, they need more and more of the drug just to feel normal each day.
Believe it or not, drugs like Oxycontin are just as addictive, if not more so, as heroin – and just as hard to quit. In fact, if you become addicted to pain killers, your rehab program may be very much like the one provided for any street junkie. Considering that these drugs are derived from the same poppies that are used for heroin, this shouldn’t be too surprising. In fact, New Zealand, the largest producer of narcotic pain relievers, is literally filled with commercial poppy fields.
If you, or someone you love, are having a problem with controlling your use of prescription medications, it’s time to talk to your doctor and get help. This is a world-wide epidemic and nothing to be embarrassed about. In fact, doctors, lawyers, and other high-profile professionals and celebrities have admitted they had a problem and asked for help. You can do the same. This very request for help is what started the illustrious Betty Ford Center; the popular first lady was once addicted to both alcohol and prescription pain medication.
