The new clinic trying to tackle France's hidden prescription drug addiction problem
Addiction to medicines that are prescribed to ease pain, anxiety or to help someone sleep is a major and very public problem in the United States. But in France the scale of the problem is significantly underestimated. Mediapart has had access to a unique clinical service in the eastern city of Lyon that specialises in dealing with patients who have become hooked on prescription drugs. Health correspondent Rozenn Le Saint reports.
SheShe ran up 23,000 euros in debt with her family in order to pay for her fixes, has been hospitalised for withdrawal symptoms, and misses her drug every day. 'Coralie' – not her real name – has gone through the same descent into hell as any junkie; except that her product can be found in a chemist store. “I've been addicted to prescription medicines for 20 years,” she says in a subdued voice.
