Prescription Painkiller Addiction in America Reaches Epidemic Proportions

Nov. 20, 2011 - PRLog -- Prescription painkillers, such as Hydrocodone and Oxycontin (both opioids), are highly effective in relieving chronic pain. This is why they are often the first choice in treatment by pain management doctors. Although these drugs are legal when properly prescribed, they are chemically similar to heroin, and can be just as addictive.

People in the United States use eighty percent of the worlds opiates, according to Dr. Gordon Irving, medical director for the Swedish Pain and Headache Center. He said, "In 2010 enough painkillers were prescribed to medicate every American around the clock for a month."

Earlier this month, the Federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported that drugs such as oxycodone and hydrocodone killed nearly 15,000 people in 2008 -- that's one person every 40 minutes.

In her book, "Soaring Above Co-Addiction: Helping your loved one get clean, while creating the life of your dreams," author Lisa Espich shares the destructive effects prescription painkiller addiction had on her family. After her husband suffered a back injury he was prescribed Oxycontin, which resulted in addiction. Eventually, he started going through the medication so fast that he turned to purchasing additional pills illegally.

"His number one focus became the drug," Espich said. "Whenever he'd run out of medication he would suffer with extreme back pain, stomach issues, and depression. After several failed attempts at getting off the drug on his own, he agreed to go into addiction treatment. Amazingly, once the drugs were out of his system, his back pain was gone. He completed an in-patient program, and is now healthy and pain-free."

Espich and her family found out first hand just how dangerous these drugs can be if not taken correctly and monitored closely. Most people would not voluntarily take heroin if offered, but many are willing to take these opioid prescription painkillers without being concerned. Because they are prescribed and legal, the overall belief is that they are safe. Prescription painkillers are the fastest growing addiction in America, and being aware of the dangers is vital to prevention.

While these medications can play an important role in helping people with chronic pain, they can also be dangerous when not monitored closely. If you have a loved one taking prescription painkillers, stay aware of these warning signs of addiction:

- Taking more medication than prescribed

- Changes in personality, behavior, or mood

- Social withdrawal

- Continued usage of the drug even after medical condition has improved

- Visiting multiple doctors in order to obtain more of the drug

- Negative changes in daily habits and appearance

- Defensiveness when discussing the drug use

For additional resources or to preview the first chapter of "Soaring Above Co-Addiction" visit http://www.soaringabovecoaddiction.com

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Soaring Above Co-Addiction, Published January 2011, Paperback: $14.95, E-book: $9.99, available at http://www.twinfeatherpublishing.com