Lesson of Whitney's Tragic Death: Beware of Prescription Drug Dangers Read more: Lesson of Whitney's Tragic Death: Beware of Prescription Drug Dangers Important: At Risk For A Heart Attack? Find Out Now.

Whitney Houston's untimely death drew attention to the twin problems of alcohol and prescription drug abuse, and the dangers of mixing the two. Although often associated with lifestyles of the rich and famous, many ordinary hard-working, family-loving Americans are also at risk of becoming addicted to either alcohol or prescription drugs or a combination of both. Many don't even realize they're in danger until, sadly, it's too late. Are you or a loved one at risk? Most people can drink wisely or take prescription drugs without becoming addicted. But many can't. Those with family histories of addiction, abusive childhoods, and mental disorders such as anxiety and depression are at increased risk. Drug and alcohol addictions can wreck relationships, careers, and — as in the apparent case of Whitney Houston — lead to an early death. Although final toxicology reports haven't been completed, a report by RadarOnline revealed that Houston had a fatal combination of Valium, Xanax, and alcohol in her system when she died. A source said that Houston's “heart stopped beating because her respiratory system was suppressed” by the anti-anxiety medications, and alcohol probably accelerated the tragic chain of events. Unfortunately, Houston's case isn't that unusual. Prescription drug addiction is a growing problem in the United States, according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) which found that 16 million Americans had taken a prescription drug for nonmedical purposes at least once in the previous year. And the Alcohol Addiction Information and Helpline estimates that almost 14 million Americans — 1 in 13 adults — either abuse alcohol or are alcoholic, and several million more indulge in drinking patterns that are likely to lead to problems. It's easy to get hooked on prescription drugs because they are prescribed by trusted physicians for pain or other conditions that are real. Unfortunately, a wide variety of types of prescription drugs are addictive. They run the gamut from those used to tamp down anxiety (Xanax, Valium, and Librium) to sleeping aids (Ambien, Valium, and Xanax), to pain medications (codeine, Vicodin, and Lortab). Alcohol is a part of the fabric of American life, from barbecues and beer to weddings and champagne. In recent years, study after study has shown that red wine can actually benefit your health in many ways. So, what's the problem? The fact is that if you're still taking a prescribed drug even after the pain has stopped, if you need the drugs in order to feel normal, if you're taking meds in dosages other than those prescribed, or if you're going back to your doctor — or doctors — to finagle another prescription, you're hooked. And if you crave alcohol and it's a vital part of your day, if you suffer from blackouts when you drink and withdrawal symptoms when you don't, you have an alcohol problem. And if you keep taking more and more of either alcohol or drugs to get the same effect, you're in trouble. Although an addiction to either drugs or alcohol can be deadly by itself, combining the two can exacerbate the effects of both, amplifying the dangers with deadly results. That was apparently what happened when Whitney Houston mixed alcohol, Valium, and Xanax. It's not easy to admit you may be addicted or becoming addicted. You may go through a period of rationalizing and denial before you admit the truth, even to yourself. If you're ready to admit you need help, or even need help deciding if you have a problem or not, there are many avenues of assistance available to you. For a listing of signs, symptoms, and help for addiction, check out the Alcohol Drug Abuse Help & Resource Center or the nonprofit HELPGUIDE.org. Always enlist the help of your family and consult with your family doctor who can help you choose your best option, whether it be inpatient detoxification treatments or 12-step groups such as Alcoholics Anonymous. Remember, addiction is a medically proven disease, and just like heart disease and cancer, it can be fatal if not treated.