Prescription medication abuse is sweeping our nation, leaving destruction, death and suffering in its wake. Between 2001 and 2011, the number of prescription drug overdose deaths in the United States tripled. Rates of prescription medication abuse are still rising so dramatically that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is now classifying it as an official epidemic. In 2010 alone, an estimated 8.76 million Americans abused pharmaceutical medications.

Unfortunately, many people believe that because a medication came from a pharmacy and was prescribed by a doctor, it is safe and less addictive than illegal drugs like cocaine. On the contrary, taking medicine for reasons or in dosages other than as prescribed constitutes abuse and can rapidly spiral into full-blown addiction. Some users ultimately die from overdoses, while others are forced to turn to illegal substances like heroin when their prescription supply runs out. In fact, studies have shown that the majority of heroin users are now young, white suburban-dwellers who turned to the drug after first using prescription oxycodone.

You Are Not Alone

It can be difficult and scary to admit that you or someone you love has a prescription drug addiction, but know that you are far from alone. Abuse rates in the United States are at an all-time high, with people of every age, region, class and background falling prey to this virulent disease.

While a lasting recovery is entirely possible, prescription drug addiction is virtually impossible to cure without the proper treatment. Fairwinds Treatment Center specializes in helping individuals reclaim their lives, using our unique dual diagnosis methodology. For each of our patients, we develop an individualized, integrated plan to address physical dependency as well as any underlying psychological, mental and/or emotional issues that may have triggered or contributed to the addiction. This personalized combination of clinical treatment and therapeutic counseling promotes comprehensive healing and wellness while minimizing the risk of relapse.