Pain Killers: A Growing Addiction

According to the subscription-based Harvard Mental Health Letter article, "Pain killers fuel growth in drug addiction," prescription painkillers kill about twice as many people as cocaine and five times as many as heroin. Nearly two million Americans are dependent on or abusing opioid pain relievers—nearly twice as many as are addicted to cocaine.

Because opioid painkillers target the same brain receptors as heroin, causing euphoria, they carry the risk of addiction, the article states.

Dr. Michael Miller, editor in chief of the publication, explains that treatment for a painkiller addiction is most successful when it consists of two phases: detoxification to reduce or eliminate withdrawal symptoms after opioid use stops, followed by a longer (and sometimes indefinite) maintenance phase. Although counseling is an important part of treatment, most people addicted to painkillers require treatment a medication such as methadone or buprenorphine during both detoxification and maintenance therapy. Although most people addicted to opioids make multiple attempts to kick the habit, it can be done, he writes.

Check out a free educational webcast hosted by CADCA partner MCTFT "Preventing Prescription Abuse" from 1-2 p.m. EST Jan. 27. During this show, prevention and law enforcement leaders will discuss strategies to help prevent prescription drug abuse. See how takeback programs can help keep drugs from getting into the wrong hands. Find out how prescription drug monitoring programs are working in many states and how a center of excellence is working to improve them. Guests include Senta Goudy, Chief of Prevention, Florida Office of Drug Control, and Charlie Cichon, Executive Director, National Association of Drug Diversion Investigators.