Historically, substance abuse has been portrayed to mirror the lower class. It has been regarded as a disease that plagues only a specific group of people. Currently that is no longer the case as high profile celebrities and white collar; well respected upper class people have brought their addiction stories to the forefront. .
The difference with high profile celebrities and white collar addiction in comparison to those with much less stature is the ability to conceal their problem with adequate funds to supply their habits. They are not forced to commit crimes in order to finance their habit which keeps them out of the spotlight longer. .
The Drug Enforcement Agency reports that Vicodin is the most abused prescription drug in the United States. DAWN data demographics further claims that Vicodin is often seen as the "white collar- addiction. The average Vicodin addict is female between the ages of 20-40. Everyone's doing it, from teenagers to soccer moms to high profile celebrities. Matthew Perry, Melanie Griffith, Eminem, David Spade, Green Bay Packers quarterback Brett Favre, and Rush Limbaugh have all been warriors in the war of Vicodin addiction. .
Much of what has been found to treat Vicodin addiction is learned from the treatment of heroin addiction. Both are opiates so the treatments are very similar in regards to how the addiction process works. Opiates kill off the opioid receptors which stimulate the brain and are responsible for lifting a person's mood, helping that person feel motivated for everyday purposes, and natural pain relief. When a person starts using opiates regularly, the opiates that they are using are much stronger and more stimulating than the natural ones in their brain. As a result, the natural opiate receptors shrink and stop producing and eventually just die off within six months to one year after beginning to use the opiate. .
When a person attempts to stop using the opiate, they will go through withdrawal for about one week.
