I would like to thank you for your recent articles on addiction in the April 30 edition of the Rio Grande SUN. I was especially pleased to see the focus you gave to prescription drugs.
I think many people are unaware of the dangers of prescription drugs, especially when combined with other drugs or with alcohol. These drugs can kill. In addition, addiction to prescription drugs is as powerful an addiction as to any illicit substance. I find patients addicted to prescription pain pills or benzodiazepines (a class of tranquilizers) often have more trouble getting clean than people who are addicted to heroin.
I also thank you for your focus on treatment. There is actually very good treatment available for opiate addiction (addiction to heroin or pain pills) available here in the Valley, although, as your article pointed out, there are simply not enough providers for all the people who need help.
While the choice to use drugs initially can be considered a poor lifestyle choice, by the time someone is addicted, it is no longer a choice. No one would ever choose to be addicted to drugs.
I ask for your and your readers’ continued support in trying to increase
treatment options for people with addictions.
Leslie Hayes, MD
El Centro Family Health