Welcome
Here’s a shocking statistic:
Americans abuse more prescription medications than cocaine, crack, heroin, crystal meth and other “street drugs” combined, according to the U.S. Office of Drug Control Policy. Narcotic pain relievers, tranquilizers, stimulants and sedatives (what the medical profession terms “psychotherapeutic drugs”) are second only to marijuana as America’s drugs of choice.
Here’s another statistic:
The National Institute on Drug Abuse estimates 48 million people over the age of 12 have used prescription drugs for non-medical reasons at some point in their lives. That’s a lot of people. In fact, that’s roughly 20% of the entire U.S. population!
Maybe you’re a part of that 20 percent. Or maybe you know someone who is.
Just because prescription drug abusers like you—or the person you care about—have a lot of company, the problem isn’t any less serious. The drugs you can get from your doctor or local pharmacy can ruin lives just as quickly as cocaine or heroin. And if you’ve gotten to the point where you can’t function without a painkiller or sedative, you are ruining your life, your relationships and risking everything.
If you’re visiting this site, it’s a good bet that you’re ready to do something about it. Congratulations.
Just acknowledging there’s a problem is often the most difficult step. There is help available, and you don’t have to live the rest of your life out of a pill bottle. If you’re looking for help right now, call 800.224.1850 for information or a referral to a treatment program that specializes in prescription drug addiction.
If you’re close to someone who’s struggling with addiction to pain medication like Vicodin or Oxycontin), anti-anxiety drugs (like Xanax or Valium), or any other prescription drug, you can get help, too. Calling the number above can put you in touch with trained counselors who will help you find a treatment center in your area. Even if your friend or loved one can’t—or won’t—admit that his (or her) using behavior is a problem, an intervention may help them face the reality of the situation. The phone number 800.224.1850 can also help you find local resources to plan an intervention.