Criminal Behavior and Prescription Drug Addiction
Those who are addicted to prescription drugs such as Vicodin, OxyContin, Darvocet or other medications will do desperate things when their supply of drugs runs out. People who never experienced even the slightest brush with the law will find themselves acting in ways that run afoul of police while putting themselves and the ones they love at great risk. The health effects of prescription drug addiction have been well documented, but consider the following facts about crime and medications:
Stealing Medication from Friends and Family
Stealing medication is one of the most common ways that prescription medication addiction can destroy the trust between friends and family. Individuals will excuse themselves to use the washroom, and then take pills right out of the medicine cabinet. In addition to being an act of theft, this can also deprive people from the medications they need to stay healthy. An elderly friend or family member (who is likely to have a significant number of medications in their home) is a common target for this sort of behavior.
Doctor Shopping and Faking Illnesses
When an individual becomes addicted to prescription painkillers, they will go to great lengths to keep their supply chain for drugs intact. That often includes visiting a series of different doctors and faking illnesses to each of them in order to obtain a prescription for Vicodin, OxyContin or other powerful painkillers. In addition to being highly unethical, this also put the doctor at great risk - if an individual were to die of an overdose, the physician who prescribed the medication could be sued by the family for malpractice.
Stealing Prescription Pads and Forging Doctor Signatures
Unattended prescription pads are a temptation for addicts waiting to see the doctor. Forging the signature of the physician is a criminal offense, but one that rarely works anymore since pharmacies now call doctors to confirm new prescriptions almost exclusively.
Stealing Money from Friends and Family
Obtaining prescription drugs illegally can be expensive. The street costs for many prescription medications can run as high as $20 a pill. In order to support their habit, many individuals will turn to stealing money out of the purses and wallets of loved ones. While few family members are likely to press charges in such a matter, the act is still a criminal one - and will violate trust between individuals that can last a very long time.
Breaking and Entering
In a handful of reported cases, individuals have actually broken into a pharmacy after hours and stolen medication from behind the pharmacy counter. Regardless of their problems with drug addiction, and the behavior it can bring about, individuals who engage in this sort of activity can expect stiff sentences and little leniency from a judge or jury.
Michael's House helps individuals break the cycle of prescription drug addiction. The caring, expert staff and Michael's House knows all the in's and out's of prescription drug addiction - and will not quit until every patient under their care has a chance to live a productive, happy, drug-free life.
Contact Michael's House today at for more information.
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