As if the rise in teenage prescription drug abuse wasn’t bad enough, now many young people are mixing a variety of different medications together in attempt to achieve a more potent euphoric effect.  Unfortunately, as the death of actor Heath Ledger should have proven, mixing prescription medications is an incredibly dangerous activity that has caused the death of hundreds of young people each year.

One such case involved Phillip Ray Cottle, a 21-year old from Baytown, Texas who suffered from cystic fibrosis.   Phillip died several weeks ago after taking a mixture of Hyrdrocodone (the generic term for Vicodin) as the powerful painkiller OxyContin.   Phillip’s death was one of nine to hit young people in the small town in recent months.

The most popular, and subsequently dangerous mixtures include Vicodin, OxyContin, Xanax and Soma (the latter two being powerful muscle relaxant).

The most frightening thing about teenagers and presciption medication is that research surverys have found that young people are more likely to try Vicodin or Xanax as they would marijuana or alcohol.  This stems from a lack of basic information about prescription drugs and emphasizes the parents role in drug awareness.

It is absolutely essential that parents educate their children about the dangers of prescription drug use.   Many teenage children (and younger) are under the mistaken impression that just because something is prescribed by a doctor that is inherently safe.  Nothing could be further from the truth!  Individuals who abuse and misuse a drug such as OxyContin are exposing themselves to a substance as addictive and potentially deadly as heroin.

If you, or someone you love has been abusing prescription drugs, find a drug rehab facility in your area that can help them get treatment before it is too late.

TV star Heather Locklear recently became the latest celebrity to be arrested in California for driving under the influence.   But while most other celebrities have been drunk when pulled over, Ms. Locklear was under the influence of prescription medications, specifically Vicodin.

After her arrest, Ms. Locklear issued a statement in which the former heartthrob revealed a longtime Vicodin addiction and other prescription drugs.

Quickly, her mugshot spread across the web, and the nation was once again distracted from more pressing issues by a celebrity up to no good.  Still, the event does produce something positive as it sheds more light on the dangers of prescription drug abuse.

Many young people unfortunately view prescription medications as somehow safer than street drugs, when the truth of the matter is they present just as many potential problems - especially if one tries to operate a vehicle while under their influence.

Now nearing her 50’s, Heather Locklear is likely looking back on certain aspects of her life and wondering “what happened.”  Looking at the now famous mug shot of Locklear after the arrest, we can all learn something about the devastating effects of Vicodin and other opiates.

For help with drug addiction, contact an addiction treatment facility in your area.  These facilities are staffed with kind, caring professionals who can change your life for the better.

When Cindy McCain is asked about the causes she would champion as first-lady if her husband John McCain wins the presidency in November, the Anheuser-Busch beer distributorship heiress is quick to put prescription painkiller addiction at the top of the list.

That’s because she herself struggled with a Vicodin and Percocet abuse problem for several years, beginning in 1989 after injuring her back, until 1992 when she was confronted about the matter by her parents.

While there are certainly many concerns about both parties’ efforts to combat drug abuse and provide funding for drug addiction treatment programs, any public figure - Republican or Democrat - who draws attention to these causes would seem to represent a step in the right direction.

However, recent controversy over one of Ms. McCain’s doctors and a charity she sponsored that sent American physicians to third world nations around the globe has shed a negative light on the entire affair.  Even more relevant are the character issues John McCain has been forced to face since he had to admit he was not regularly present in the home during much of this dark time for the family.

As the press turns more of its attention to the personal histories of both Presidential candidates, one can only imagine that Senator McCain and Cindy McCain will be forced to answer more in depth questions about the “painkiller period” in their lives.

Individuals who are struggling with prescription painkiller addiction should contact a drug rehab facility immediately.  The professionals at these treatment facilities can help individuals overcome the physical and psychological components of addiction - and get a new lease on life.

More and more young people are using prescription painkillers such as Vicodin and OxyContin as a recreational drug.  They use these painkillers for their euphoric effects and obtain them by any all means necessary.  

The problem is that buying prescription medications online, or from a drug dealer can get expensive.  Obtaining medication on the black market can cost several dollars a pill, which adds up fast when the individual develops a tolerance to the drug and must begin to take more and more of them in order to obtain the desired effect.

What’s most frightening about this trend is that when young people run out of money and pills, they turn to a similar drug, priced well within their budget - heroin.

Many people do not realize that heroin provides an effect very similar to Vicodin and other doctor-prescribed painkillers.  Once addicts learn about the similarities, they will begin taking heroin in order to get their “fix.”

This is dangerous for several reasons:

• Heroin can come to the user in stronger-than-expected or contaminated doses which may lead to overdose and even death.
• Heroin, when taken using a needle can expose the individual to a variety of deadly diseases such as HIV, AIDS or Hepatitis.
• Heroin carries with it a social stigma that carries many young people away from their family and friends and into a downward spiral that can destroy what should be the happiest years of their life.

For all these reasons, plus myriad more, contact a drug rehab facility in your area if you are taking prescription painkillers and cannot stop.

A recent study at Columbia University found that hundreds of websites around the world are still shipping highly addictive prescription medications overseas, despite threats from Interpol and other worldwide policing organizations to combat the problem.

In its cleverly titled report, “You’ve got drugs” Columbia researchers described a process in which anyone, including minors, could easily have medications such as Vicodin or OxyContin shipped to their front door even if they didn’t have a prescription.

The process is difficult to police, according to the report, since many international pharmacies develop illegal relationships with physicians who then ship the controlled substances into the United States using disguised packages.

These doctors generally do not have more than a passing relationship with the patient, and would certainly be in no position to determine whether or not the drugs in question are causing adverse effects on their health.

As this news story adds, access to prescription drugs is a growing problem among young people, with one and five teenagers now reporting that they have illicitly taken medications in order to obtain their euphoric effects.

Currently, the most commonly abused prescription drugs are:

• Vicodin
• OxyContin
• Percocet
• Ritalin
• Amphetamines

Families who believe their loved one has a prescription drug addiction should contact a drug rehab center immediately.

Six things to think about before taking Vicodin

Before you use Vicodin, consider the following facts.  Whether an individual is using the medication legally or illegally, it is important to understand the ramifications of this highly addictive drug.

1. Vicodin is addicting. Vicodin is made with opiates that can hook the user very quickly via their euphoric effects.
2. You’re going to have to take more and more. As dependence to Vicodin grows, so too do the number of pills it take to achieve that high.
3. Vicodin is not good for you. Long term side-effects of Vicodin use include high blood pressure and heart disease. This drug takes a toll on your body!
4. Vicodin addiction can lead to crime. Those addicted to Vicodin often turn to criminal acts such as theft, forgery and medical fraud in an effort to get more and more of the drugs.
5. Vicodin will drain you financially. Obtaining Vicodin illegally is expensive. The black market for Vicodin can see the drug run anywhere from $5 - $20 per pill
6. Vicodin addicts are going to need help. Once you become addicted to Vicodin, it is very hard to stop. Those who wish to break free of their addiction will need to contact a drug rehab program that specializes in prescription medications abuse.

For more information about getting treatment for Vicodin addiction, visit www.michaelshouse.com.