Prescription Drug Abuse in Carmel Valley, Del Mar, Encinitas and Carlsbad

Prescription drug addiction continues to be a growing problem that many people don't take as seriously as they should.  Join Together, reported today that according to research from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) about 70 percent of 12-17 year olds see great risk in smoking a pack of cigarettes or more daily compared to 40 percent who saw great risk in binge drinking and about 34 percent who perceived great risk in smoking marijuana monthly.

Back in July of 09, after years of focusing primarily on marijuana use, there was news  from CBS News that the more urgent growing problem is prescription-drug misuse  antidrug campaigns from both the private and public sector have turned their attention to what's seen as a more urgent problem: prescription-drug misuse. 
Authorities say marijuana by comparison to prescription drug use, is 'benign'.  
        Prescription drugs that create physical dependency and addiction belong in two classes of pills; opiates and benzodiazepines.  opiates include drug such as codeine, vicodin, norco, oxycodone and benzodiazepines/tranquillizer drugs including xanax, valium, ambian and others.


Many people feel that since the medications were originally prescribed by a doctor that their prescription drug abuse is different. Getting high on an FDA approved drug, traps people into the illusion that they are safely manufactured and will not become a problem.

Yet in October 2009,  a local website in San Diego reported on the growing problems of teens and prescription drug abuse:  the county medical examiner when discussing teen deaths from drugs reported 54 oxycodone-related deaths between 2008 and 2009, up from 17 deaths between 2004 and 2006,  He also stated that adding the death rate from alcohol and heroin brings death rate for 16 - 25 year old alcohol and drug users, even higher.


The Signs of Addiction to Prescription Drugs:

          --A preoccupation with symptoms of pain or sleeplessness in order to justify the request for more medication.
          --Lack of interest in doing other activities unrelated to the drug using experience.
          --Good, drug induced feelings preoccupy the mind.
          --Mood swings.
          --Borrowing from friends and/or purchasing from drug dealers.
          --Purchasing drugs on the internet or from pharmacies in Mexico.
          --Past history of drug addiction.
          --On and off relief from anxiety.
          --Using more than the recommended amount of the medication.
          --Taking medications from family, friends or strangers medicine cabinets.
          --Hiding medications or lying about taking them.
Medication changes the brain chemistry,making it less effective at producing chemicals like dopamine or endorphin. Since the brain has stopped producing these chemicals itself, they must be introduced through another source.  At this point, the prescription drug addict has become physically dependent on the medication. 


Effects of Excessive Use of Prescription Pills:
A person who is addicted to prescription drugs may experience the following:
          --Anxiety
          --Depression
          --Difficulty sleeping or sleeping too much
          --Loss of interest in relationships with friends or family members
          --Withdrawal symptoms when they try to stop using the medications on their own

Important:    Consumption with or without alcohol can effect the central nervous system causing respiratory distress,  failure or even death. 

Lasting Recovery provides Detoxification Services and Intensive Outpatient Treatment for Prescription medication addiction.  Recovery is possible --- we can help.   



Judy Saalinger, Ph.D., MFT, CAS
Co-Founder and Clinical Director