Painkiller abuse is one of the most quickly rising forms of drug abuse. Medications such as Darvon, Vicodin, Morphine Oxycontin, Propoxyphine, Percocet, Hydrocone and Hydromorphone are not being used for the original purposes by millions of people to relieve pain, but to get high. Persons who are having absolutely no problem with pain management are abusing these drugs quite regularly.

Painkillers provide a powerful high and have become the drug of choice for millions of people. Painkiller abuse, prescription anti-anxiety medication and crystal meth addictions have increased significantly.

Drug abuse centers are seeing more people with these addictions enter their facilities in need of help. Like many hard drugs, these are extremely addictive and thus very hard for people to overcome. However, the situation isn’t hopeless. There are many people who are able to successfully get clean. For some people this happens on their first trip to rehab but this is not the norm. The majority of people will require multiple stays, ongoing treatment and support. A good rehab program can give them many of the tools that they need to begin to walk the right course.

Painkiller abuse is supported in a number of ways. We will discuss a few of them below.

Going to multiple doctors: This method is used by many people who are addicted to painkillers. Starting out, they may visit multiple doctors, complain about the same ailments or injury and then get several prescriptions for the same drugs. They will generally fill the prescriptions at different pharmacies in order to avoid detection. After a particular doctor will no longer prescribe the medication, the addict will move on to another one. Some individuals, mostly those that are either wealthy or famous, will have doctors that cater to them and will give them medication even when it is known that they don’t have an addiction. This is similar to Michael Jackson and Elvis Presley’s situation. Indulgences by both and doctors that were too accommodating contributed to their deaths.

Faking prescriptions: Some people who are addicted to painkillers will go so far as to fake their prescriptions. They will steal doctor’s pads or purchase them online and then attempt to write their own prescriptions. This is illegal of course but when a person is in the throes of addiction, they will do almost anything to get the drugs that they crave

Theft: An individual may steal from their family or friends. They might also break into a pharmacy or doctor’s office to get painkillers.

Dealers: Drug dealers can also provide prescription drugs to users. They may acquired painkillers through theft or had them shipped in from a foreign country. Mexico sends up huge quantities of drugs, which are then distributed by dealers.

Painkiller abuse has become a serious problem. People are taking these medications not for medical purpose but to get high. They are extremely addicting and cause problems similar to those experienced by individuals addicted to street drugs. Many people fail to realize until it is too late, that painkillers are not less dangerous or powerful simply because they are prescriptions medications.