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Prescription Pill Popping A Growing Problem


An Austin mother is accused of driving on prescription drugs with her three kids in the car. She's in jail tonight after a crash killed one of her young daughters.

Police say Shea Goss took too many pain pills before getting behind the wheel.

We dug deeper into the pill popping problem here in Austin. While most people take medicines only for the reasons their doctors prescribe them. It's estimated an increasing amount will build a tolerance and become hooked like Amanda Gordon.

"I was prescribed 120 Xanax. I took them all within a week. I wasn't passing out or unable to drive. I mean, to this day I'm sure I wasn't able to, but I never had a car accident and I functioned normally," said Gordon.

Amanda was prescribed Xanax as a teen and continued her use till her mid 20s, kicking the habit in 2011.

"I could take a handful and it was okay. It tore me apart and I needed help," said Gordon.

While the majority are initially prescribed pain or other medications for a valid reason, experts say these medications are incredibly habit-forming and can lead to addiction.

"It's only natural to think, 'well, if it's not working, I need to take more', and you won't know you have an addiction until somebody has to confront you and say there's a problem," said Gordon.

If you are dealing with a prescription pill addiction or know someone who is, click on the link below to find therapy groups, private assistance counseling or rehab centers.

http://drugabuse.com/usa/drug-abuse/austin-tx/

By Angel Covarrubias