Prescription Drug Abuse

Countless news reports, drug awareness campaigns, and media campaigns scream of the dangers of prescription drug abuse. However, that seems to have little or no effect on the 6 million Americans who reported prescription drug abuse in 2008. In fact, during the last ten years, there was a 400% increase in the amount of people seeking help for a prescription drug abuse problem.

Why such a massive increase? Primarily due to most people considering prescription drugs are much safer than street drugs. Additionally, prescription drugs are readily available with over 50% of those surveyed saying they received prescription pills from family members or close friends. Another 9% said they received the pills from someone they knew.

These tens of thousands of people in the United States are still struggling with prescription drug abuse. The only real way to handle this devastating problem is to enroll in an effective drug rehab.

Two years ago Washington state cut programming for a data base that would allow investigators to monitor illegal prescription drug abuse. Unfortunately that very program could have prevented one woman’s addiction to Oxycontin from escalating and one doctor’s license being lost.

Dr. Leonard Hudson is accused of prescribing several large prescriptions of Oxycontin to a 22 year old woman in exchange for sex. Despite calls from investigators and the girl’s parents, the doctor continued to prescribe the drugs until investigators arrested him while he was doing his rounds at the hospital.

Prescription drug abuse is not only very dangerous but it is a growing problem that needs to be handled immediately with a drug rehab. If you or anyone you know is in need of help for this please call 866-422-4650 for immediate help.