Prescription Drug Addiction: Not Just a Problem in the US
Prescription drug addiction is a huge problem in every region of the United States. Rural areas and urban areas, men and women, young and old – there is no group or culture or geographic location in our country that is safe from the rapidly growing problem of prescription drug abuse and addiction. Not only is the issue causing chronic health problems, overdoses, and death in the United States – the problem of narcotic painkiller addiction, stimulant addiction, and addiction to sedatives is an issue around the world.
One country that is feeling the brunt of the problem is Australia. Many across that country are falling victim to the same myths that many Americans struggle with. Because prescription drugs are provided by a doctor for the legitimate purpose of treating an illness, many believe that they are safe in any amounts and that abuse or health problems due to abuse are not a risk. Unfortunately, this means that many who start out with a limited prescription for an acute injury or after surgery and those who have a low-dose prescription to assist with chronic pain, anxiety, or another issue often end up with an addiction because they simply don’t understand that prescription drugs can be extremely dangerous and are often highly addictive.
To be more specific, the National Drug Strategy household survey in Australia stated that more than 1.2 million people in the country said that they had used a prescription drug for a “nonmedical purpose.” This means that they either used a drug that was not prescribed to them or abused their prescription by taking more than prescribed, a regular dose more often than prescribed, or crushed the pill before ingesting it in order to augment its effects. It is estimated that about 100,000 Australians are living with a painkiller addiction. The painkiller of choice? OxyContin, just like in the United States.
Those who are prescribed sedatives like Xanax or Valium for anxiety issues also are prone to the development of addiction. Because patients taking the drugs believe that the pills will alleviate their anxiety, when they experience a panic attack or anxiety attack, they often take more than prescribed in the hope of stopping the problem more quickly. Unfortunately, this is an abuse of the drug and can quickly lead to an increased tolerance and a physical as well as psychological dependence upon the pills.
The best way to deal with prescription drug addiction is to identify it in its earliest stages and seek the help you need. If you believe that prescription drug addiction to any painkiller, sedative, or stimulant is a problem for you, don’t wait to get help. Call us at Michael’s House now to learn more about how our prescription drug rehab program can assist you in fighting addiction.
