It can begin in the simplest of ways: a stubborn backache or joint pain that won’t go away. After a period of time, it quickly becomes clear that the medicines prescribed to deal with such ailments seem almost impossible to live without, even though the initial pain may have subsided. Having crossed the line from medical treatment into addiction, many individuals go through a process of “physician shopping” seeking to fill a prescription that no longer has a valid medical purpose. The individual will now need drug addiction detox and treatment.

Drugs may be obtained from friends, from a connection in the healthcare field or, eventually, from a dealer. Valid use of prescription drugs can turn into illicit use before the person may even suspect it. One of the largest reasons that heroin addiction has grown so much is that it is an economic reality for those who cannot obtain prescription opiates.