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Senior RX Program Looking For More Applicants
By Chad Petri Reporter
Published: Thu, September 06, 2007 - 5:51 am
Last Updated: Thursday, September 06, 2007 - 8:53 am
Last Updated: Thursday, September 06, 2007 - 8:53 am
Chad Petri
“I would say at least 80-percent of the new intakes that we do are addicted to hydrocodone,” says Counselor Christe Damico. The Drug Enforcement Agency reports hydrocodone prescriptions have exploded in the last ten years because of increased scrutiny for other pain killers. One recovering addict, who wished to remain anonymous, says hydrocodone controlled her life.
“Man when you get out of bed you open your eyes and your first thought is where am I going to get it today,” she says. She says she’s been clean for a year and warns young people of the dangers of prescription drug addiction. “You have no idea what you're getting into, you know you think you have control of it at first, and at first you do, but then it just sneaks up on ya.”
The addiction can be tough to break. Adult psychiatrist Dr. William Billett says drug abuse leads to changes in brain chemistry. He says the addiction can break down a person’s life.
“So there's a tremendous financial drain, there’s an effect on occupational functioning,” says Billett.
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I have several family members who are addicted to Lortab. Their come back is always, “The doctor gave it to me” or “You can be addicted to perscription drugs”. They even go to different doctors and pharmacies to get their medicine. They have to admit they have a problem before they can begin to get off.