Posted by Steps to Recovery on March 15, 2013
There is a powerful connection between prescription painkillers and heroin, and as much as no one wants to talk about it or admit it, it’s really simple. People get addicted to prescription painkillers and heroin becomes the next step for one big reason…It’s a lot cheaper and eventually becomes easier to get. So what is happening is our suburbs are being invaded with addiction, and a new, unsuspected category of substance dependent people is emerging.
Every heroin addict I have met in my years in recovery so far started out on prescription painkillers. Even people I knew before I began my recovery journey have turned up addicted to heroin, much to my surprise. And all because they got caught up in the pharmaceutical haze. The idea that since it’s not completely illegal, and it’s something that you can easily have prescribed by most doctors for legitimate reasons or poorly concocted lies about being in pain, has made a lot of people I know believe, somehow, that it wasn’t alarmingly dangerous to abuse these drugs. They couldn’t have been more wrong. Thankfully, most of these people are still alive today, many of them in recovery. However, some of them are not, they suffered the most extreme consequence of their decision to abuse prescription painkillers and heroin.
So many of these people who start out on prescription painkillers and eventually turned to heroin may not seek help. The reason is that they are ashamed. There is a level of shame associated with heroin abuse that is not associated with prescription painkiller dependency, although many people who abuse the prescription painkillers only also may not seek help because of their pride. The question here is not only how do we prevent prescription painkillers and heroin abuse altogether, but also, how do we address the addiction that already exists, and how can we help people overcome their pride and shame and reach out for help when they need it? How can we show them that there is help for them without judgment.
If you suspect someone you know is suffering from addiction to prescription painkillers and heroin dependency, contact Steps to Recovery today or call 866.488.8684. Our experienced and compassionate staff can help you determine the best course of action to help your loved one. There is help that works available for prescription painkiller and heroin addiction, and we are here to listen to you and guide you in finding a way to help your loved one help themselves.
