Some alarming new local statistics provide a glimpse into drug abuse patterns here on Long Island, where in Nassau and Suffolk Counties there was a 36% increase in the number of people seeking help for painkiller addiction. Even more alarming is the 59% increase in the number of people seeking help for painkiller addiction who are between the ages of 18 and 34; an age group that often turns from abusing prescription pills to a cheaper form of opiate – heroin. This local trend reflects an alarming national trend with experts from the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) stating recently that prescription pain medication abuse is the fastest growing drug problem in America ranking only behind alcohol, and marijuana. The most frequently abused pain medications are vicodin and oxycontin or their generic equivalents. Admissions from Long Island residents to rehab facilities for painkiller addictions rose by 45% over the past three years alone.
Signs of painkiller abuse:
- “Doc Hopping” Person goes from doctor to doctor or rotates through doctors trying to obtain painkiller prescriptions
- Using Doctors well outside of the persons geographic area without reason
- Using multiple pharmacies to fill “routine” or standing prescriptions
- Vacillating mood states
- Inconsistent work performance, poor personal management
- Selling of personal possessions or theft/missing property from other household members
- Using or “needing” greater and greater quantities of pain medication
If you or you fear that a loved one is having a problem with painkiller addiction please call us NOW! We are here to help at Holtz Psychological Services (631) 427-6669
