Unfortunately, many Americans are abusing common prescription pain killers which are in the same opiate family as heroin. Known by various trade and generic names, such as Lortab, Vicodin, Percodan or OxyContin, they are synthetic (man-made) drugs known as opioids. These narcotics are used in the treatment and management of pain associated with injuries, surgeries and other illnesses. While generally effective in giving people relief from pain, these narcotics have many side effects, two of which are increased tolerance and dependency. 

Tolerance refers to the need for increasing dosages of the pain killer to get the desired effect. Over time, anyone using opiates will have to use more and more of the drug, with the increasing daily cost, to support their dependency. Increased tolerance also sets the stage for dependency or addiction. Narcotic dependency is notorious for being extremely addictive, both mentally and physically. 

Addiction treatment centers across the U.S. are seeing an alarming increase of admissions for opiate dependency and the Flagstaff community is no exception. Other substances that are widely used in Flagstaff include cocaine, methamphetamine and alcohol. 

Why this surge in pain killer abuse?  While some people are more prone to addiction than others, anyone can become dependent on these drugs. “Addiction does not discriminate” is an old saying in recovery treatment programs for addiction. 

Many people need these medications to help acute and chronic pain problems. Because they are so effective, many physicians prescribe them. However, when people start to abuse them - not using them as prescribed; increasing the dosage; or using them for other reasons such as stress, sleep disturbances or emotional problems - the risk for addiction increases tremendously. Some people will rationalize that since the drugs are legal and prescribed for legitimate reasons, they are not really “taking drugs” and are not addicted. 

Another reason for the rise in abuse, unfortunately, is that some people take them to get high. This type of abuse definitely raises the risk for addiction and is seen, sadly, in many teenagers seeking that euphoric-producing high. Dental work or a sports injury may introduce a teenager or child to these medications. Young people already using drugs, such as marijuana and alcohol, are more likely to steal these medications from the home, use them themselves, give them to friends or even sell them to other teens. Just as alarming is the tendency to mix narcotics with other drugs, especially alcohol, increasing the potential for fatal overdoses. Adults need to be aware of the potential for abuse of these medications by storing them in secure locations and closely monitoring their use with teenage children. 

If you have any questions regarding chemical dependency or suspect that you, a family member or a friend is having problems with prescription drugs, call FMC’s Behavioral Health Services at 928 213-6400. 

Marc Zuch, L.I.S.A.C., is a chemical-dependency and gambling counselor at FMC’s Behavioral Health Services. Is there a health topic you’d like to know more about? Please write toFlagstaff Medical Center, Public Relations, 1200 N. Beaver St., Flagstaff, AZ 86001, or visit FlagstaffMedicalCenter.com.