Painkiller Addiction: Rough Road To Recovery

Painkiller Addiction: Rough Road to Recovery

Fresno - According to the Office of National Drug Control Policy, prescription drugs account for the second most commonly abused category of drugs in the United States behind marijuana and ahead of cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine.

There really is no easy or right way to recover, but doctors agree there are only certain outcomes of addiction - and if left untreated - death is one of them.

Dr. Richard Guzzetta, of Touchstone Recovery center in Clovis, is noticing an increase of younger addicts.

"We see several people under the age of 18... we didn't see as many a few years ago," said Dr. Guzzetta.

And he says, it could be because the drugs of choice these days - Oxycontin and other prescription painkillers - take a faster and stronger hold.

"There are certain drugs that are more satisfying to the addictive cravings that you have, so if you get a hold of those your addiction takes hold faster and a little bit harder. We find that opiates attack two recepters...so you get a double whammy, that's why it takes hold of kids so fast," explains Dr. Guzzetta.

According to the Monitoring the Future study, nearly 10% of 12th graders surveyed in 2008, reported using Vicodin without a doctor's orders that year. And nearly 5% reported using Oxycontin.

Dr. Guzzetta says he knows there's a lot of peer pressure in Clovis and Fresno high schools.

"My son goes to high school, and several of his friends are taking drugs, and making fun of those who don't take drugs," said Dr. Guzzetta.

But not all kids who try it become addicted.

"Addiction is not willpower or a moral problem, it's a brain chemistry problem, usually children are born with a propensity for addiction, all they have to do is add that brain to an addictive chemical, and you'll have an addiction going on," explains Dr. Guzzetta.

It's not just rich kids getting caught up in addiction.

"The unknown demographic is the stay at home mom... I've met so many women in recovery you would never suspect," said Fresno housewife, Julie Valles.

Valles is recovered from an addiction to the painkiller Norco - but it took a stint in jail for her to stay sober.

She says the withdrawal process, is what kept her going back to the pills.

"It is the worst pain describable, it's like having the flu ten times over, aches and pains, every bone in your body hurts, every muscle hurts, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, you just feel sick, you cannot function," said Valles.

"When people are addicted to it, and they don't get it, they go through a withdrawal... it can be as simple as having anxiety, or as severe as having a panic attack. People seeking their medication and they need help right now, and it could be life threatening," explains pharmacist Michael Winton, of Winton Pharmacies.

In 2008 alone, 81 people died in Fresno County, because of prescription drug abuse.

"No it's not shocking, if you're going to become an addict, there are only certain courses that lay ahead of you, and death is one of them," said Dr. Guzzetta.

Dr. Guzzetta says only about a third of people who go to rehab for addiction, will successfully remain sober.

He says it's important for people to be aware of the reality of prescription drug abuse in our community.

It's a sobering reality that Clovis police, the Fresno county coroner, and local pharmacists already accept.

"Oxycontin is very addictive, typical effects are euphoria, feeling of well being... these kids don't know what they're doing, they're playing with fire, if it continues they will get hurt, if not dead, and we as a community have to stop it," said Winton.

But recovery can be a long road back with many of its own pitfalls, including new addictions.

Medicines like methadone and buprenorphine are commonly prescribed to help addicts get clean.

And many people interviewed for this series say patients sometimes get hooked on their anti-addiction pills.

Successful recovery depends on matching the individual to the right doctor and treatment.


Posted:
May 13, 2009 02:18 AM EDT



If you know someone with an addiction and they are unwilling to get the help please call us toll-free 1-866-631-0026. You can also visit our website http://www.kdconsulting.org/.