FAQs

Frequently asked questions about addiction and recovery

It's not only illegal drugs like heroin that can cause serious problems: legal prescription painkillers like Percocet^®, Vicodin^®, and OxyContin^® can also be highly addictive or habit-forming. According to the National Institutes of Health, 9% of Americans may misuse opiates at some time in their lives.

Addiction and substance abuse (misusing drugs) can have a destructive impact on your home life, your work life, your physical health, and your psychological well-being. If you’re struggling with a prescription painkiller habit or addiction, your options may include drug rehabilitation clinics, methadone treatment, medication therapy, 12-step programs, addiction support groups, and counseling.

If you, a friend, or a family member is addicted or at risk for addiction and want to stop taking drugs, there are things you should know. Get the facts about addiction to opioid prescription painkillers, heroin, or other opioid drugs and take action now.

Get your questions answered on:

• Addiction to prescription painkillers, heroin, and other legal or illegal opioid drugs
• Rehab—medical help and “detox” treatments are available for people who become addicted to drugs
• Methadone and other medical treatments can help people who have been using or abusing painkillers or heroin overcome their opioid dependence and “kick the habit,” as it's often phrased
• Recovery—whether it's starting a narcotic detox program or maintaining your long-term recovery, how does overcoming addiction—sometimes called “getting clean and sober”—work?

Then get more facts about opioids

Could you be opioid dependent? Take this quiz and see.

Note
Opioid dependence or addiction is too often regarded as a moral failing or character flaw. This can be seen in the terms used to describe someone who is dependent on or addicted to painkillers (eg, “junkie”) and to explain the process of recovery (“getting clean”). In fact, opioid dependence is a medical condition that needs to be treated like any other chronic illness. Treatment is available.

All brand names cited above are the property of their respective owners. Vicodin is a registered trademark of Abbott Laboratories. Percocet is a registered trademark of Endo Pharmaceuticals, Inc. OxyContin is a registered trademark of Purdue Frederick Company.

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