When a school bus driver hit and killed an elderly pedestrian near Woodland, California, she said that it was not an accident caused by driving under the influence, yet she was taking prescription painkillers at the time due to a back injury. Though her attorney says that her use of prescription painkillers was not abuse, it is not clear that her driving was unaffected by the medication.

It’s an issue that is hazy in the legal community, but it is black and white in the medical community. Whether the use of prescription drugs is for recreational purposes or for the purposes of pain management, the user’s ability to operate a motor vehicle is impaired.

If your loved one is abusing prescription painkillers or taking them in combination with other substances, including alcohol, it can significantly affect his risk of accident, health problems, overdose and more. Get him the help he needs to protect himself by helping him enroll in substance abuse treatment.

Separating Painkiller Use From Painkiller Abuse From Painkiller Addiction

If your loved one is prescribed a painkiller and experiencing problems as a result, it’s not always easy to tell whether those problems are normal, caused by abuse of the pills, or an issue of drug dependence. In general, if your loved one struggles with the following, it’s an issue that requires intervention and treatment:

• Inability to function without the medication
• Experiences cravings for the pills
• Makes poor decisions under the influence
• Develops mental, physical or emotional health problems as a result

Painkiller Rehab

Painkillers are responsible for more deaths than car accidents in the United States. Don’t assume that your Woodland loved one is fine simply because he takes painkillers under a doctor’s supervision. Seek help if necessary. Call now for more information about your loved one’s options in treatment.

If you want more options than listed bellow, search for a city near by in California