Our Views

I was speaking with some friends today who are involved in drug detox and rehab. The conversation turned to the outrageous growth in prescription drug addiction. There’s a lot to say on the subject – it’s a real threat to society in so many ways and news stories abound about prescription drug abuse. But of even greater concern than the ‘abusers’ are the ‘users’ – in other words, they got the drugs from their doctor. Therefore, they don’t have a problem with prescription drug addiction – they are simply taking medication.

When does the fact that they have a problem become obvious? When the prescription runs out. They’ve been taking OxyContin or some such thing to cope with their back pain, they’ve taken it for several weeks, the prescription runs out and, before they can get more, they’re in more pain than they ever felt with their back.

People who contact drug detox or rehab centers under these circumstances usually have one burning question: What’s happening to me?

What’s happening is that you’ve become dependant on or addicted to the equivalent of heroin. That’s right, heroin. Basically, that’s what opiate painkillers are.

You’ve probably never met anyone on heroin. There’s a possibility you’ve never even met anyone who takes ‘drugs’. But I can guarantee you that there are people right on your street who have the same problem you do – prescription drug addiction.  And they are also basically addicted to heroin. And to get off them, you’re going to have to go through the same process as any other addict - drug detox and drug rehab.

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