Story Created:
Aug 19, 2008 at 10:09 AM CST
Story Updated:
Aug 19, 2008 at 10:18 AM CST
Texoma is facing growing drug problem. Experts say more residents are becoming addicted to prescription and over-the-counter medications.
Dr. Michael Anderson is the medical director for the chemical dependency program at Red River Hospital in Wichita Falls. He says pain relivers and sedatives are the most commonly misused prescription drugs by patients. There's many reasons leading to their abuse.
"Certainly the cost and availability seem to be going hand in hand so we're seeing more and more folks being prescribed these. The other thing is that they work very very effectively," Dr. Anderson said.
He says because the medications do work so well, many people want to use them more than directed which, in many cases, leads to addiction. And when people are dependent on a substance, he says they'll often do whatever they can to get it.
"With difficulty they can quickly become addictive and the person experience difficulties will wind up having to get those illicitly," Dr. Anderson said.
One way people are getting these drugs illegally is through the internet. Laws regulating pharmaceutical sales in many countries differ from those in the US and don't require a prior prescription.
Dr. Anderson says it's important to realize drug addiction is an illness. Red River Hospital offers a vareity of treatment programs including the 12 Step program and individual and group counseling. For more information call 940-322-3171.
