Abuse of prescription painkillers is on the rise. The exact number of people with addictions to prescription painkillers is unclear, but experts believe that millions of Americans are struggling with painkiller dependency. For high school students, only marijuana is more popular than prescription opioids. In one study, one in 10 high school seniors admitted that they had used Vicodin within the past 12 months. How does painkiller addiction start? Consider the facts:
Easy Access
More people have access to prescription painkillers than ever before. In fact, for much of the past decade, Vicodin was the most widely prescribed drug of any kind. Although better pain control is beneficial to many patients, more liberal prescribing puts these drugs into the hands of more people. Not only does this increase the chances of addiction for the patients themselves, but it also creates a new avenue of access for the patients’children, spouses, and friends.
Pre-Programmed Vulnerability
Most doctors agree that some people have genetic predispositions to addiction. When people with these dispositions are prescribed prescription painkillers, abuse is a very real risk. Painkillers can deliver a feeling of euphoria and then trigger a craving in the brain for more. The next dose reinforces the cycle, and addiction can take hold. Eventually, the need to take greater doses of the drug more frequently than prescribed will set in. Experts believe between five and 10 percent of people have genetic predispositions to addiction.
Environmental Factors
Not everyone who is genetically prone to addiction will abuse painkillers, and not everyone addicted to painkillers has a predisposition to addiction. Environmental factors also play a role. Stress and depression, which are often exacerbated by pain, can make the relief of painkillers irresistible. Having family and friends who abuse drugs also increases the risk of addiction.
Are you or a loved one struggling with prescription painkiller addiction? Las Encinas Hospital is here to help you face your chemical dependency issues and reclaim your wellbeing. Call (888) 348-2165 anytime, 24-hours a day, to learn more about substance abuse treatment program in Pasadena.
