The use of prescription drugs, including painkillers and anti-anxiety medications, often begins when patients need additional help. For example, maybe you injure your back, have trouble sleeping, or experience pain due to a chronic illness. Although many people experience no complications with the drugs their doctors prescribe, a significant number develop an addiction. Thus, prescription drug abuse statistics show a steady rise in the number of people dependent on these substances.
Prescription Drug Abuse Statistics
What you’re seeing in the headlines is no exaggeration. Just look at the following prescription drug abuse statistics from Drug-free World.org for proof:
• In 2014, more than 15 million people over age 12 in the United States abused prescription drugs for non-medical reasons
• A 2007 U.S. survey revealed that 3.3 percent of people between ages 12 and 17 and 6 percent of people between the ages of 17 and 25 had abused prescription drugs in the past month
• Opioid painkillers accounted for 38.2 percent of all overdose deaths in 2005
• In 2005, there were 1.4 million drug-related emergency room admissions. Of those, 598,542 involved the abuse of prescription medications alone or in conjunction with other drugs
Perhaps more disturbing, a recent PBS survey suggests that nearly a two-thirds of Americans believe the prescription drug and opioid crisis has become worse during the past year, while only one-sixth believe the crisis amounts to a national emergency requiring federal attention.
Do You Have A Prescription Drug Addiction?
The slow decline from legitimate use to addiction often occurs without your knowing it. To make matters worse, a major symptom of addiction is denial, making it even harder for you remain objective. However, there are red flags that strongly suggest you have a prescription drug addiction.
For example, do you spend a great deal of time thinking about obtaining your next fix? Have you ever visited several different doctors for extra prescriptions? Have you stolen or lied to obtain drugs? Additionally, if you’ve tried to stop using, do you feel physical symptoms such as nausea, diarrhea, and shaking as well as extreme fear and anxiety? If you answered yes to these, you need to get help to avoid becoming another prescription drug abuse statistic.
Steps to Recovery Can Help
Above all, the continual abuse of prescription drugs causes permanent cognitive changes and destroys your health and relationships. Ultimately, the drugs become less effective and actually make you more sensitive to the pain that motivated you to seek drugs in the first place.
Fortunately, Steps To Recovery is a comprehensive drug and alcohol treatment center located in Levittown, PA. Our knowledgeable and empathetic staff fully focus on you as an individual. We take the time to get to know you and the facets of your physical, medical, and addiction history. In doing so, we’ll work together to craft an addiction treatment plan for promoting your individual, lasting sobriety.
Comprehensive, Effective Addiction Treatment Services
Our respectful, welcoming demeanor begins with that first phone call. While in our 35-day partial hospitalization program, take advantage of a diverse selection of effective, life-building services which include:
• Evidence-based addiction treatment strategies and psychotherapy
• Individual counseling to get to the root of your addiction and set long-term goals
• Group sessions with your peers to brainstorm life skills and find additional support
• Family therapy and support
• Transition into our intensive outpatient program where we’ll prepare you for societal reintegration
If you had negative experiences with other recovery programs or suffer from a mental health condition, you’re always welcome at Steps To Recovery. We pledge to accept you wherever you are in the recovery process. Overall, when we all work together, sobriety and healing are possible. So, take the first step today by calling our compassionate counselors at 267.719.8528.
