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03/13/2014

Prescription Painkillers: The Gateway to Heroin?

Home › Blog › Prescription Painkillers: The Gateway to Heroin?

Prescription Painkillers The Gateway to Heroin

Sometimes the numbers speak for themselves. In the case of prescription painkillers, what those numbers say is a major health crisis. In the United States and other countries where opioid medications are easily obtained, the addictive risks of painkillers have spread from chronic use, to fatalities, and finally to crossovers – to heroin.

As reported on Thefix.com, in the United States alone, about 5% of those aged 12 and over use painkillers such as Vicodin, Percocet, and Oxycodone. Since 1999, sales in the United States of these drugs have increased four times. In 2010, there were enough sales of opioids to give every single adult in the United States a 5mg dose of hydrocodone… every four hours! In 2012, there were 12 million Americans using painkillers recreationally, a staggering 400% increase from a decade earlier.

As shocking as these numbers are, the most apparent sign of the painkiller crisis comes in the form of fatalities. The recent heroin-related death of Philip Seymour Hoffman, who first became addicted to painkillers, is but the most recent high profile case. In 2008, the movie star Heath Ledger died of an overdose of painkillers. These high profile cases are the most publicised cases of an epidemic of death sweeping the United States. In 1999, there were 4,000 deaths caused by painkiller overdose. By 2008, the figure had skyrocketed to 14,800. This makes painkillers the leading cause of accidental death in the United States at present.

As sobering as these statistics are, a further complication in the painkiller story has emerged. Currently, almost 80% of heroin users start by using painkillers. So, not only are prescription painkillers highly addictive and even deadly themselves, they can also prove to be a gateway to what some experts have called ‘the most addictive drug,’ heroin.
Dr. Banta-Green, a researcher at the University of Washington’s Drug and Alcohol Research Institute, says that systematic and sustained efforts are needed to reduce the epidemic of painkiller abuse. First, there must be greater controls and regulations on prescriptions. Second, there must be greater access to drug treatment. Third, there must be educational and prevention efforts to reduce accidental overdoses. And finally, there must be public discourse that addresses the gravity of the problem.

The Cabin, Chiang Mai, offers world-class treatment for all forms of addiction. If you are considering treatment, please consult one of our specialists today.

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Which is Correct ’Recovered’ Addict or ‘Recovering’ Addict
Blog | Recovery

Which is Correct: ’Recovered’ Addict or ‘Recovering’ Addict?

Whether addicts should use ‘recovering’ or ‘recovered’ is frequently debated. But which is the correct choice? Does it even matter? In the last decade or so we have seen a huge increase in the amount of programmes that have been developed for addiction treatment. A number of different terminologies have developed as a direct result...
05/11/2015
Escaping the Urban Noise into Drug Rehab
Blog

Escaping the Urban Noise into Drug Rehab

For a recovering addict the surrounding environment can have dire effects; familiar sounds and smells can trigger the urge to use substances or alcohol again. Sometimes escaping the noise of everyday life and experiencing the silence that drug rehab has to offer is the first step in a long process of recovery. City dwellers encounter...
05/13/2013
Science Supports Abstinence in Alcohol Addiction Treatment
Alcohol Addiction Treatment | Blog

Science Supports Abstinence in Alcohol Addiction Treatment

Earlier this year, TIME published news about a study that sought to clarify the effect that simply tasting alcohol (in this case, beer) has on the brain of alcohol addicts and those with a long family history of alcoholism. Conducted by neuropsychology researchers at the Indiana University School of Medicine in the U.S., the study...
08/14/2013
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The Cabin Rehab Centre
9 Khua Mung, Saraphi District,
Chiang Mai, Thailand 50140

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  • Home
  • What We Treat
    • Addiction
      • Alcohol Addiction Treatment
      • Drug Addiction Treatment
      • Amphetamine Addiction Treatment
      • Cocaine Addiction Treatment
      • GHB Addiction Treatment
      • Heroin Addiction Treatment
      • Ecstasy Addiction Treatment
      • Marijuana Addiction Treatment
      • Methamphetamine Addiction Treatment
    • Mental Health
      • Anxiety treatment programme
      • Depression treatment programme
      • Co-treating Addiction and Trauma Disorders
      • Dual Diagnosis/Co-Occurring Disorders
    • Behavioral Addiction
      • Co-Occurring Disordered Eating Treatment
      • Internet Addiction Treatment
      • Rehab for Gambling Addiction Treatment
  • Our Programme
    • Changing Pathways Addiction Programme
      • Physical Therapy
    • The Kintsugi Programme
    • Disordered Eating Programme
    • Continuing Care
    • Recovery House at The Cabin
    • Sunday Excursions
  • About Our Rehab
    • About the Cabin
    • Accommodation and Facilities
    • Gallery
    • The Cabin Group
    • Our Team
    • Client Testimonials
    • In The Press
    • Blogs
  • Admissions
    • Admissions Process
    • How Rehab Works at The Cabin
    • Online assessment
    • FAQ
    • Family Advice
  • Contact
    • Contact
    • Careers
    • Referring a Client