Addiction Solution Source

How many Americans have potentially dangerous prescription drugs in their medicine cabinet?

Unfortunately, prescription drug abuse has reached epidemic levels through the United States with nearly 7 million Americans abusing them. This amounts to an increase of 80% in the last six years. The numbers now exceed those that are abusing ‘street drugs’ (i.e., cocaine, heroin, ecstasy and other drugs).

It is very apparent just from the news over the past year or so, that there is a major problem in our society with the number of celebrities that have died from prescription drug addiction (i.e., Michael Jackson, Heath Ledger, DJ ‘AM’)

Dr. Oz was featured on the Oprah Show recently bringing attention to just how out-of-control this epidemic is throughout America. Dr. Oz went on to say that, “when we take medications and we take too many of them, we actually numb ourselves. We become zombies.”. He also said that an addict has only a 5% chance of recovery without help.”

Everyone should know that there are three different kinds of prescription drugs that are being abused and some examples are listed below:

· Opiates (i.e., Oxycontin, Vicodin, Percocet, Methadone) normally prescribed as pain relief drugs. (These are considered the pharmaceutical cousins of heroin)
· Depressants (i.e., Valium, Xanax)
· Stimulants (i.e., Adderall and Ritalin)

The abuse of prescription drugs tells us that people are hiding from their real problems and looking for the ‘quick fix’ by popping a pill. In Washington State, there are more deaths annually from prescription drug abuse than from ‘street drugs’ such as meth, cocaine and heroin combined. Prescription drugs and because of their abundance, have now become the leading cause of accidental deaths in Washington State.

While most people understand that heroin can be fatal, they don’t understand how dangerous prescription opiates can be. Teenagers are increasingly finding these drugs in medicine cabinets. A survey done by the Office of National Drug Control Policy shows that an alarming number of teens share pharmaceuticals with each other, and mix them together in an incredibly risky new mode of drug experimentation.

Unless we take action, our future generations are at even greater risk. If you or you know of someone that needs help to end their addiction, go to the following page: End Your Addiction Now