Accidental Deaths From Prescription Drug Abuse and Overdose Rising

    MALIBU, CA, January 22, 2012 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Recent research from the US government suggests that at least five million previously-addiction-free Americans are abusing prescription drugs for the first time each year. Some addiction researchers are going so far as to call pharmaceutical medication abuse an unseen epidemic. The Los Angeles Times has reported that deaths from accidental prescription drug overdoses now exceed deaths from car accidents, with accidental prescription drug overdose deaths rising most quickly in those aged 40 - 70.

Prescription medication abuse, or "pharmaceutical" abuse is pervasive. It affects everyone from retired executives who have had knee replacement surgery to stay-at-home moms given medication to help them sleep. In the past ten years, millions of Americans have sought treatment for pharmaceutical addiction in treatment centers across the country. Medications most often abused include: Xanax, Klonopin, Ativan/Lorazepam, Valium, Vicodin, Oxycontin, Ambien, Adderall, and Lunesta.

One of the reasons accidental overdose is becoming so common among those who abuse pharmaceutical medications may be that those who use physician prescribed medications believe them to be safe because they come from a doctor and are regulated by the FDA. This is simply not true. While there are certainly reasonable medical uses for all these medications, they are also highly addictive and prone to abuse. Those who require medical support for anxiety, pain, or sleep disturbance can quickly find that they are using their prescribed medications in dosages exceeding what was suggested by the doctor and manufacturer. This abuse can quickly spiral into addiction.

At Sunset Malibu, we encourage all persons who use mind or mood altering prescription medications like those listed above to meet with their physician at least every eight weeks to discuss the dosages and types of medications being taken. Additionally, if you believe that you or someone you love may be abusing prescription drugs, please contact a drug treatment center immediately to receive an assessment and decide whether or not treatment is warranted.

Sunset Malibu is a licensed residential substance dependence rehab center that treats addiction as well as co-occurring disorders. At Sunset Malibu, teams of highly-trained experts administer holistic, fully integrated, evidence-based treatment programs to patients who place a premium on safety, privacy and effectiveness. One-on-one therapy sessions and cutting-edge psychological treatments including positive psychology, brain mapping and neurofeedback may be utilized. For more information, visit www.drugrehabsunsetmalibu.com or call 1-800-332-9202.

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