Alex O’Loughlin In Rehab For Prescription Painkillers

Alex O’Laughlin, one of the stars of the CBS series Hawaii Five-O, is currently undergoing treatment for prescription painkillers which it appears as if O’Loughlin became addicted to after being prescribed the powerful medication for a shoulder injury.

O’Laughlin’s rep issued a statement to E! News in which he confirmed that Alex was receiving:

“…supervised treatment for prescription pain medication due to a recent shoulder injury…”

Fortunately for the show, O’Loughlin’s absence will not restrict them from completing their full season as planned due to the fact that they’re currently ahead of schedule. On the other hand, there doesn’t appear to be any word on how many episodes the Hawaii Five-O star will miss during his stint in rehab.

CBS issued a statement that read:

“We respect and support Alex’s decision. Everyone at CBS Television Studios and Hawaii Five-O wishes him well and we look forward to his return.”

At the least, it would seem as if Alex O’Loughlin made the appropriate decision when he checked himself into a rehabilitation clinic as pain medications are typically more powerful than human will power as they effect the central nervous system in such a manner as to distort ones’ perception of reality.

Prescription painkiller abuse in the United States has resulted in roughly 14,800 deaths attributed to overdose in the year 2008 alone. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued a report in which they claimed that the sale of these types of drugs has quadrupled.

Annual prescription painkiller deaths now exceed those of cocaine and heroin combined. With the incredibly high rate of mortality a clear indicator of the ease of access the United States general population has to dangerous prescription painkillers like Oxycontin and Vicodin, it should come as no surprise to find actors like Alex O’Loughlin who have found themselves in the death-grip of powerful pain medication.

What do you think about Australian actor Alex O’Loughlin’s decision to check himself into rehab for his prescription pain killer addiction?

Alex O’Loughlin in episode one of Hawaii Five-O: