Why Are So Many Americans Struggling With Prescription Painkiller Addiction?

It’s all over the news – the most prevalent drugs of concern in the U.S. today are prescription painkillers, like OxyContin.

Synthetic opiates have always been our country’s most popular drug.  Throughout history, painkillers have led the way in the preferred drug of choice among Americans. From synthetic morphine to heroin to Demerol to OxyContin, there’s nothing surprising about our sick attraction to these types of drugs.

Painkillers produce feelings of detachment from emotions and stress, which is why Vietnam soldiers became dependent on heroin in the 1960s and 70s.  Many overcame their addictions once they came home, however, today it seems more difficult to detach from the stresses of the world.

Americans learn from a young age to find relief in medication. We never want our children to experience pain.  We grow up knowing there is a pill for just about any ailment.

As with any addiction, individuals abusing painkillers seek the certainty of an experience or a sense of relief from pain and suffering.  Any substance producing a relieving effect has a strong potential for abuse, and anyone brought up to be uncomfortable or resistant to pain can be subject to painkiller abuse.

One way to repair our country’s painkiller crisis is to begin making our children aware of the dangers of prescription painkillers.  Keep your prescription pills, especially painkillers away from kids.  Spend more time with your children, and lead by example.

Our addicted country devolves to the simplest source of abusive relief, and in turn we produce more and more addicts.  We don’t have to be the enemy any longer.  Change can begin with you in this moment.

Palm Partners Recovery Center can help you or a loved one break free from prescription painkiller addiction.

www.palmpartners.com