Here is a little insight into the prescription painkiller problem. (this is coming from someone who has lived through the addiction of such with a loved one). When a person takes a lortab or percoset when they are not in pain, it does not "get them high" per se, as something like pot would. It makes them just feel more energetic, happier, and gives them a feeling of well-being. Once addicted - which can take awhile, and can also happen quite innocently, it can be so very hard for them to stop taking them. They will get them from a doctor, a dentist, and even start doctor-hopping to get them. If they cannot get them legally prescribed, they will buy them from someone else. There are pain clinics in Florida, in which people from other states go to, and get several hundred prescribed at a time. No questions asked. They bring those pills back to an area where they are hard to get, and sell them for $7 and up per pill. People who are addicted to them will get the money for them any way they can. They will lie, steal, skip paying their bills to buy pills. In our area, we have had many many homes and pharmacies robbed - for hydrocodone and oxycodone. Now - I can also tell you this: when one cannot get the pills, they can go into withdrawal in a short period of time. Withdrawals include pain, sweating, not sleeping, amongst others (you can look it up online). They also become very very irritable and agitated. So. I wonder if any of those close to HD has such an addiction. and one more thought: they also know how to fudge drug tests - it's not all that difficult if the drug testing lab/administrator isn't watching - and in my opinion - they should be watching!! )
