Rick never expected he would wind up with the problem of prescription drug abuse. He was a high school athlete, graduated college with honors, moved to Florida and was working successfully in his chosen career path. However, like many Americans, Rick found himself addicted to painkillers after being injured in an auto accident. After the accident, Rick was some time recovering. He was taking his medication and attending physical therapy like a good patient. The next thing he knew, his doctor cut off the prescription. That's when Rick discovered his prescription drug addiction.

He "shopped around" for other doctors to fill the prescription and became very good at picking out the ones who would prescribe. He also got them through the Internet. It wasn’t until a family member stepped in and got Rick into a drug detox and then a rehab program that he was able to get his life back in order.

Shocking though this is, it’s not as shocking as how often this happens. In 2005, hydrocodone was the most prescribed opiate painkiller in America with 124 million prescriptions written that year. This falls during a 66% increase in retail distribution of this drug nationwide from 2001 – 2006. In many cases, the drug is prescribed under more familiar names like Vicodin and Loritab. These combine hydrocodone and acetaminophen for pain relief.

Average citizens find themselves hooked on narcotic pain killers and whirled into a lifestyle they never saw coming. In Florida, hydrocodone is one of the most commonly abused pharmaceuticals. The Drug Abuse Warning Network reports that this drug is also the cause of more emergency room visits than any other similar drug. Even more disturbing, Florida Medical Examiners also report five deaths daily due to prescription drug overdose.

Due to the abuse of this particular drug, the Drug Enforcement Agency may move hydrocodone from a schedule III drug to a schedule II drug. This will make it harder to get refills and also require more stringent records for its distribution. Unfortunately, this may or not make a difference in Florida: According to the DEA, "The Tampa area has become 'ground zero' for Internet diversion." – meaning Tampa houses the most companies that profit from Internet sales of prescription medication.

Fortunately for Rick, he overcame his addiction. Florida citizens could use his story as a lesson to be learned. Don’t think you're not vulnerable to prescription drug addiction: contact a good Florida drug detox program at the first sign of a problem.