The criminal activity of prescription drug addicts

Those who are addicted to prescription drugs such as Vicodin, OxyContin, Darvocet or other medications will do desperate things when their supply runs out. People who never experienced even the slightest brush with the law will find themselves acting in ways that run afoul of law.

Here’s a look at some of the things that individuals addicted to prescription drugs will do to obtain the medication:

• Stealing medication from friends and family - A common way for addicts to get their drugs is by simply snatching them out of the medicine cabinets of people’s homes.  Besides being a major violation of trust, this is dangerous behavior, as the individual may be taking medication from someone who genuinely needs it to treat an illness or cope with pain.
• Doctor shopping and faking illnesses - One of the most unethical methods of obtaining drugs, individuals (especially those addicted to painkillers) will visit several different doctors at a fake an illness or injury at each of them in the hopes obtaining a prescription for pain medication.
• Stealing prescription pads and forging doctor signatures - When visiting a doctors office, addicts have been known to steal blank prescription pads, then illegally forge the doctor’s signature to obtain medication at a pharmacy.
• Stealing money from friends and family- If the individual needs money to buy prescription drugs illegally, they may resort to stealing the money right out of the purses and wallets of the individuals closest to them.

Michael’s House is a residential drug treatment program in Palm Springs, California that helps get those individuals addicted to prescription medication clean, and then teaches them the behaviors required to stay that way.  Visit Michael’s House for more information.